The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (102 page)
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CORPORATIONS have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned
A large organization, unlike a private individual, can act unjustly or highhandedly without fear of being brought to account.
1658
Reports
II. 233
The opinion of Manwood, chief Baron [
c
1580], was this, as touching Corporations, that they were invisible, immortall, and that they had no soule; and therefore no Subpœna lieth against them, because they have no Conscience nor soule.
c
1820
Literary Extracts
(1844) I. 268
Lord Chancellor Thurlow said [
c
1775] that the corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.
a
1845
in S. Holland
Memoir
(1855) I. xi.
Why, you never expected justice from a company, did you? They have neither a soul to lose, nor a body to kick.
1932
Hold your Tongue
xii.
A corporation is just like any natural person, except that it has no pants to kick or soul to damn, and, by God, it ought to have both.
business
;
conscience
1658Reports
II. 233
The opinion of Manwood, chief Baron [
c
1580], was this, as touching Corporations, that they were invisible, immortall, and that they had no soule; and therefore no Subpœna lieth against them, because they have no Conscience nor soule.
c
1820
Literary Extracts
(1844) I. 268
Lord Chancellor Thurlow said [
c
1775] that the corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.
a
1845
in S. Holland
Memoir
(1855) I. xi.
Why, you never expected justice from a company, did you? They have neither a soul to lose, nor a body to kick.
1932
Hold your Tongue
xii.
A corporation is just like any natural person, except that it has no pants to kick or soul to damn, and, by God, it ought to have both.
business;
conscience
COUNCILS of war never fight
People discussing matters in a group never reach the decision to fight, which an individual would make.
1863
Telegram
13 July (1877) III. 148
Act upon your own judgment and make your Generals execute your orders. Call no counsel [
sic
] of war. It is proverbial that counsels of war never fight.
1891
Barracks, Bivouacs & Battles
191
Solomon's adage that in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom does not apply to war. ‘Councils of war never fight’ has passed into a proverb.
action and inaction
;
decision and indecision
;
warfare
1863Telegram
13 July (1877) III. 148
Act upon your own judgment and make your Generals execute your orders. Call no counsel [
sic
] of war. It is proverbial that counsels of war never fight.
1891
Barracks, Bivouacs & Battles
191
Solomon's adage that in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom does not apply to war. ‘Councils of war never fight’ has passed into a proverb.
action and inaction;
decision and indecision
;
warfare
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