A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

LIVE and let live

• 
  1622 G. DE MALYNES Ancient Law-Merchant I. xlv. According to the Dutche prouerbe . . Leuen ende laeten leuen, To liue and to let others liue. 1641 D. FERGUSSON Scottish Proverbs (STS) no. 582 Live and let live. 1678 J. RAY English Proverbs (ed. 2)
  

170 Live and let live, i.e. Do as you would be done by. Let such pennyworths as your Tenants may live under you. 1762 SMOLLETT Sir Launcelot Greaves II. xvi. He deals very little in physic stuff, . . whereby he can’t expect the pothecary to be his friend. You knows, master, one must live and let live, as the saying is. 1843 SURTEES Handley Cross II. vii. Live and let live, as the criminal said to the hangman. 1979 C. BRAND Rose in Darkness iv. Not that Sari cared two hoots how other people conducted their private lives. Live and let live. 2007 Times 21 Sept. 19 Too late to start quoting live and let live . . and all the various little mantras and sermons of tolerance that stop the human race from tearing itself apart like weasels in a sack. "tolerance
If you have to LIVE in the river, it is best to be friends with the crocodile
Indian proverb.

• 
  1882 W. L. WILKINSON ‘Shells from Strange Shores’ in WRAY (ed.) Golden Hours CLIX. 180/2 (Mar.) To be on bad terms with those under whose authority we are placed is ‘To live in the river and be at enmity with the crocodile.’ 1990 H. SABAHI British Policy in Persia 1918-1925 242 He repeatedly impressed upon the senior khans that they had little choice but to cooperate with Reza Khan. To hammer home his message, he quoted them an Indian proverb: ‘If you have to live in the river, it is best to be friends with the crocodile.’ 2002 J. VAN DER LINDEN in M. Pacione (ed.) City 608 However bad the patrons’ image, the clients often have no other option than to consider their patrons an unavoidable evil.. : ‘If you live in the river, it is better to stay friends with the crocodile.’ "pragmatism