Keep from the anger of a great man.
Keep from the anger of a great man.
Meaning in plain English
The saying warns that anger from a powerful person may have serious consequences. Recognise a difference in power without assuming that authority makes anger justified or requires silent acceptance of unfair treatment.
Example
A group planning to question a venue manager’s decision gathers the relevant correspondence and asks a trusted colleague to join the discussion instead of relying on a heated exchange alone.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Great man can describe someone with high standing or power in this warning. The concern is what that person may be able to do when displeased, rather than whether their feelings deserve special respect. It reflects caution about unequal consequences in a relationship. A modern interpretation should not turn that caution into approval of intimidation. Challenging a decision may still be necessary, and avoiding all disagreement is not always possible or desirable. The useful question is how to understand the power involved and seek appropriate support, rather than pretending that an unfair response becomes right because its source is influential.
When to use it
Use it to recognise unequal power when considering how to raise a concern.
Keep in mind
Power does not justify intimidation or remove the legitimacy of a complaint.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 30 · Anger
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗