One might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb一不作，二不休
Possible interpretation: If you are going to be killed for stealing a lamb, then why not steal a sheep (which is bigger and more valuable)? In general, it means that if you are going to get the same punishment, you may as well commit the greater offence.
解释：英国在1820年出台的法律中有一条：凡是所偷东西的价值超过一先令(英国1971年以前的货币单位, 为一镑的二十分之一)，都会被判死刑。因此你偷一只小羔羊而被判绞刑，那为什么不偷一只更大更值钱的绵羊呢？偷针是贼，偷金也是贼。
Note: be hanged (verb) = be killed by having a rope placed around one’s neck and being allowed to drop (a form of execution) | sheep (noun) = animal that gives us wool and meat | lamb (noun) = baby sheep | Also seen as: "One might as well be hung for a sheep as (for) a lamb" and (originally) "As well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb."
Origin: Under English law before the 1820s people were hanged for stealing anything worth more than a shilling. This included lambs and sheep. So why steal a lamb when you could steal a more valuable sheep and get the same punishment (death)?
Quick Quiz:
If "one might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb", then the canny sheep stealer will prefer to steal
a. lamb
b. sheep
c. two sheep
For answer c.
大耳朵网编辑：boboju |
