live and let live
See also: live-and-let-live
English edit
Etymology edit
First mentioned in 1622 by Gerard de Malynes in a book about trade law, who mentioned "the Dutch proverbe leuen ende laeten leuven, to live and let others live".
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb edit
live and let live (third-person singular simple present lives and lets live, present participle living and letting live, simple past and past participle lived and let live)
- (idiomatic) To be tolerant; to enjoy the pleasures and opportunities which life offers and to allow others to do the same.
- 1818, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 23, in The Heart of Mid-Lothian:
- "Hout, neighbour," said Mrs. Howden, "we suld live and let live—we hae been young oursells, and we are no aye to judge the warst when lads and lasses forgather."
- 1903, Arthur Quiller-Couch, chapter 36, in Hetty Wesley:
- ‘Live and let live’ is my motto: let me alone and I'll let you alone.
- 2004 April 22, Michael Ancram, “If the British people vote no, Europe will thank them”, in guardian.co.uk, retrieved 14 June 2008:
- Our Europe policy is simple: live and let live, flourish and let flourish. That is a modern and mature approach.
Usage notes edit
- Often expressed hortatively as a proverb.
Related terms edit
- live-and-let-live (adjective)
Translations edit
be tolerant
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