les chiens aboient, la caravane passe

French

Etymology

Literally, “the dogs bark, but the caravan goes by”. Possible calque of Turkish it ürür, kervan yürür.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /le ʃjɛ̃ a.bwa | la ka.ʁa.van pas/

Proverb

les chiens aboient, la caravane passe

1. the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me (let people say what they will)

Alternative forms

• le chien aboie, la caravane passe

See also

• bien faire et laisser dire