ProverbChallenge
Latin origin
Latin originEvery cock is proud on his own dunghill.
Meaning: A person commands confidence and authority only within their familiar domain, losing that assurance elsewhere.
Origin: The Roman philosopher Seneca mocked Emperor Claudius with gallus in suo sterquilinio plurimum potest — a cock is most powerful on his own dunghill. John Trevisa quoted it in English around 1387. Anyone can be brave on home ground.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Russian, and 2 more languages
French: Chien sur son fumier est hardi (literally: A dog on its own dunghill is bold)
Spanish: Cada gallo canta en su muladar (literally: Every cock crows on his own dunghill)
Japanese: 内弁慶の外地蔵 (Uchibenkei no sotojizō) (literally: A Benkei (warrior) at home, a Jizō (meek statue) outside)
German: Jeder Hahn ist Herr auf seinem Mist (literally: Every cock is master on his own dung heap)
Russian: Дома и стены помогают (Doma i steny pomogayut) (literally: At home even the walls help you)
Polish: Każdy kogut na swych śmieciach śmielszy (literally: Every rooster is bolder on his own rubbish heap)
Turkish: Her horoz kendi çöplüğünde öter (literally: Every rooster crows on its own dunghill)
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