- Meaning and lesson
The saying urges people to allow others to make their own harmless choices rather than trying to control, criticize, or interfere with them. It favors reciprocal tolerance: one seeks freedom for oneself while extending the same freedom to others.
It does not require approval of every action or passivity toward wrongdoing. Its central idea is restraint in chiefly personal matters where differing habits, beliefs, or preferences can coexist without unjust harm; used to dismiss legitimate concerns about harm, exploitation, or accountability, it can sound dismissive.
- When it is used
Use it to recommend tolerance when people disagree over private conduct, tastes, or ways of living. It can calm needless conflict by stressing mutual noninterference, but is less fitting where actions clearly harm others, exploit people, or evade important responsibilities.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Live and let live.