Who said “Fish die when they are out of water, and people die without law and order.”?

Paraphrased

The Talmud, in different words: the idea is theirs, but this popular wording has been altered from the original.

SourceLoosely based on Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 3b–4a

Evidence: sefaria.org · How we check

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“Fish die when they are out of water, and people die without law and order.”
— The Talmud
Original (Hebrew), Avodah Zarah 3b

מה דגים שבים כיון שעולין ליבשה מיד מתים אף בני אדם כיון שפורשין מדברי תורה ומן המצות מיד מתים

Text: Wikisource Talmud Bavli via Sefaria (CC-BY-SA)

ParaphrasedLoosely based on Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 3b–4a · evidenceLaw and Lawyers

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Loosely based on Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 3b–4a.

APA

The Talmud (n.d.). Fish die when they are out of water, and people die without law and order. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17405-fish-die-when-they-are-out-of-water/

MLA

The Talmud. “Fish die when they are out of water, and people die without law and order.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17405-fish-die-when-they-are-out-of-water/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

The Talmud. “Fish die when they are out of water, and people die without law and order.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17405-fish-die-when-they-are-out-of-water/.

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