сам бог велел

• (CAM) БОГ ВЕЛИТ/ВЕЛЕЛ (кому) coll; И БОГ ВЕЛИТ/ВЕЛЕЛ obs, coll

[VPsubj; past or pres; usu. used with infin; fixed WO]

=====

1. it is proper, normal (for s.o. to do sth.):

- X-y сам бог велел сделать Y ≈ it's only natural for X to do Y;

- it's in the order of things for X to do Y;

- it's only fitting that X do Y;

- [in limited contexts] who wouldn't do Y?

     ♦ "Странно, как хорошо я всё это помню. - Он обнаружил, что у него побелели щеки и кончик носа. - Вот таким я и был тогда, на такого орать сам Бог велел" (Стругацкие 1). "It's strange how well I remember it all." He discovered that his cheeks and the tip of his nose had turned pale. "That's the way I looked then-who wouldn't go after a guy who looked like that?" (1a).

2. (s.o.) must (do sth.):

- X-y и бог велел сделать Y ≈ it's X's (sacred) duty to do Y;

- it would be wrong for X not to do Y.

     ♦ "Подойди, подойди, любезный! Я и отцу-то твоему правду одна говорила, когда он в случае был, а тебе-то и бог велит" (Толстой 4). "Come on, come closer, my dear! I used to be the only one to tell that father of yours the truth in the days when he was a court favorite, and now it's my sacred duty to do the same for you" (4a).