Nero fiddles while Rome burns

Nero fiddles while Rome burns

Someone in a position of power takes little to no productive action during a crisis. The phrase refers to the legend of the Roman Emperor Nero playing the lyre as Rome burned down. A: "Climate change is upon us, and our leaders aren't doing nearly enough." B: "I know. Nero fiddles while Rome burns, once again."
See also: burn, fiddle, Rome, while
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