providence is always on the side of the big battalions

used to imply that those with greater power or resources are more likely to succeed, regardless of their individual abilities or the merits of their cause

The proverb "providence is always on the side of the big battalions" is often attributed to the French nobleman and writer Comte de Bussy-Rabutin, who is credited with a version stating, "God is usually on the side of the big squadrons against the small." It suggests that success is often determined by power and numbers rather than moral superiority or merit. The proverb serves as a commentary on the role of power in shaping outcomes, highlighting how wealth, force, and authority influence success.