Idioms

Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the devil.

Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the devil.

proverb If a poor person suddenly comes into wealth, they will inevitably use it in unscrupulous or irresponsible ways. It was a heartwarming story to hear about the homeless man who found a winning lottery ticket for nearly $2 million. But just a year later, he's back in the headlines for being back on the streets, having squandered all that money on drugs, alcohol, and expensive super cars. Truly, you set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the devil.
See also: and, beggar, on, ride, set, to
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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