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Why do we say "From the sublime to the ridiculous"?

Well-Known Expressions

From the sublime to the ridiculous

Meaning:

Great undertakings may end in disaster

Background:

The proverb originates from the French expression: Du sublime au ridicule il n'y a qu'un pas.
Although sometimes attributed to the French diplomat Tallyrand (1754-1838) or Napoleon, the expression is used much earlier by French historian Jean Francois Marmontel (1723-99) and later by Thomas Paine in The Age of Reason (1793).

More expressions and their source

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Who Said...

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

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