Even a worm will turn
"Even a worm will turn" is an English language expression used to convey the message that even the meekest or most docile of creatures will retaliate or seek revenge if pushed too far.[1] The phrase was first recorded in a 1546 collection of proverbs by John Heywood, in the form "Treade a worme on the tayle, and it must turne agayne."[2] At the time “agayne” also meant “against” or “oppose”[3]. It was used in William Shakespeare's play Henry VI, Part 3 (Act 2, Scene 2).[4][5] In the play, the phrase is uttered by Lord Clifford, killer of Rutland as:[6] Template:Poemquote
It's been proposed[7] that this passage from Henry VI was suggested by one in a history by Edward Halle. In that book[8] the Earl of Warwick makes a speech that includes the passage: Template:Poemquote
In 1641, the following passage in a letter from from Edmund Verney to his son Ralph Verney further confirms the proverb's meaning that small affronts can lead to rebellion.[9] Template:Poemquote The proverb is also found in other countries
France
In 1694 the 1st edition of the Dictionnaire de l’Académie française[10] included the proverb with an explanation: Template:Poemquote
In english (per Google translate 2025) "An earthworm shrivels up when you step on it,' [that is] to say that there is no man so weak and puny that he does not feel some resentment when he is offended." However in 1694 se rebe(c)quer implied more rebel than shrivel.[11]
Earlier in 1592[12] the proverb appeared in the poem Plainte de l’Autheur durant une sienne longue maladie by Philippes Des Portes. The verse with a translation is shown below:
| French | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Le ver avorton de la terre | The worm castling of the earth* | (*see spontaneous generation) |
| Se rebecque alors qu’on le serre, | Resists when [op]pressed | |
| Poussé d’un naturel devoir: | It is an instinctive reflex: | |
| Et moy pourtraict de ton image, | Now picture me in your place, | |
| Quand ton pié me foule & m’outrage | When your foot steps on me & offends me | |
| N’oserois-je un peu m’esmouvoir? | Would I not dare to stir a little? |
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ https://www.dictionnaire-academie.fr/article/A1V0052
- ↑ https://www.dictionnaire-academie.fr/article/A1B0105-08
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".