Menu
Are you ready to find out everything you ever wanted to know about the funny saying “Qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf”?
Are included a full guide of what it is and how to use it in a conversation with an audio example. Not to mention the cool things we sprinkled like slow pronunciation audio, dialogue example, synonyms and more!
Oh and… you will also find more of these sayings pages on this page plus the directory of all our French words pages on this page. C’est parti ! (Let’s go!)
Slow pronunciation
Normal pronunciation
As you probably guessed, the first meaning of this proverb is that there is no minor crime. Someone who steals something as cheap as an egg, will someday end up stealing something much more expensive, like an ox.
If the thief doesn’t face any consequences after is minor crime, he will be more confident for the next one. And will be less hesitating before acting, because his mental barriers had been lowered.
Here the theft is an image for any kind of “crime” and can typically represent infidelity, hurting, etc.
But there is another lesson here: from the victim’s point of view, there is no minor crime. An egg might seem “nothing” for the thief but might be the only sustenance that keep the victim alive.
We could conclude that the severity of a crime is a relative notion and can vary a lot between different people and cultures.
If you know someone who committed a minor crime/theft or don’t realize that what he qualifies as “minor” could have severe consequences for others. Or if you just want to keep a wise proverb that prevent you to commit “the first theft“.
Then you can use “Qui vole un oeuf, vole un boeuf” as a friendly reminder for staying on the track.
Dialogue audio
If you liked this page you will certainly love our free Telegram channel where we publish similar content everyday with audio, dialogue examples and explanations, directly to your phone!
Would you like to receive everyday a useful French lesson directly on your phone for free?
It’s free!