English

Verb

live and let live

1. (idiomatic) To be tolerant; to enjoy the pleasures and opportunities which life offers and to allow others to do the same.
   • 1818, Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, ch. 23:

     "Hout, neighbour," said Mrs. Howden, "we suld live and let live—we hae been young oursells, and we are no aye to judge the warst when lads and lasses forgather."

   • 1903, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Hetty Wesley, ch. 36:

     ‘Live and let live’ is my motto: let me alone and I'll let you alone.

   • 2004 April 22, Michael Ancram, "If the British people vote no, Europe will thank them," guardian.co.uk (retrieved 14 June 2008):

     Our Europe policy is simple: live and let live, flourish and let flourish. That is a modern and mature approach.

Usage notes

• Often expressed hortatively as a proverb.

Related terms

• live-and-let-live (adj.)

Translations