People are people

[Olga Meerson]

In some respect, люди есть люди is the opposite of
люди как люди. The former urges the listener not to expect too much from people, while the latter suggests that expecting more of people would be too exacting on the part of the one expecting. I would perhaps translate the latter (люди как люди)as "these people are no worse than all people", while the former (люди есть люди) as "people are all the same [--not much to be expected of them]". 
o.m.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------