"steal from the rich to sponsor the poor"

Status
Not open for further replies.

LeTyan

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
Hi,

In Chinese culture, there is a saying "steal from the rich to sponsor the poor"(my translation of that but could have problems) to describe a certain group of people.

Is there something similar to that in English culture? Or how would you paraphrase that? Is the word "sponsor" used properly here?

Thanks!
 

LeTyan

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
Are you familiar with the character "Robin Hood"? He stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood

Oh! I know him! Thanks for reminding me of him! So "steal from the rich and GIVE to the poor". The word "give" would suffice right?
When you mentioned "Robin Hood", it also reminds of the TV series "Leverage".
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Give suffices, and I wouldn't use sponsor unless the person is doing something like sponsoring a team with the money.
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
<<<When you mentioned "Robin Hood", it also reminds of the TV series "Leverage".>>>

Yes, I love the show "Leverage".
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
That would work too, though gave is standard in English because of Robin Hood.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top