верхи не могут, низы не хотят

Russian

Etymology

Literally, “the upper classes should be unable to rule and govern in the old way, the lower classes should not want to live in the old way”. From the principle outlined in the work “May Day Action by the Revolutionary Proletariat” (1913) by Vladimir Ulyanov-Lenin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [vʲɪrˈxʲi nʲɪ‿ˈmoɡʊt | nʲɪˈzɨ nʲɪ‿xɐˈtʲat]

Phrase

верхи́ не мо́гут, низы́ не хотя́т • (verxí ne mógut, nizý ne xotját)

1. revolutionary situation