Fact Check: “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus”
What We Know
The quote "When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus" has gained popularity, particularly after being shared by NBA star LeBron James on his Instagram account. James tagged it as a "Turkish proverb," which has led to widespread discussion about its origins (source-1). However, this attribution is misleading. The phrase is not a traditional Turkish saying but rather has roots in Circassian culture, where a similar proverb states: "When an ox moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king, but the palace becomes a barn." This original saying has been misattributed to Turkish culture, particularly after a tweet by Turkish journalist Sedef Kabas in January 2022, which sparked significant political controversy in Turkey (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that the phrase is a Turkish proverb is incorrect. While it has been popularized in Turkish social media, its origins lie in Circassian culture, indicating a misattribution that has gained traction over time. The transformation of the proverb into its current form appears to have been influenced by political discourse in the UK, particularly as critics of Prime Minister Boris Johnson began using it to express their discontent (source-1).
The reliability of the sources discussing this proverb is generally high, as they provide historical context and trace the evolution of the phrase. The article from Turkey Today, while focused on the controversy surrounding James' post, offers a clear timeline and background that supports the assertion that the proverb's attribution to Turkish culture is erroneous. The source also discusses the broader implications of how proverbs can evolve and be misattributed, which adds depth to the analysis.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus" is an old Turkish proverb is incorrect. The phrase is a modern adaptation of a Circassian saying that has been misattributed to Turkish culture. The misattribution has been perpetuated through social media and political discourse, but it does not reflect the proverb's true origins.
