Every 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, and German
- 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)
More proverbs about Challenge
- A cold April a barn will fill. — Late spring frosts kill pests and prevent crop diseases, ensuring abundant harvests the f…
- In the coldest flint there is hot fire. — Even the hardest, most unyielding hearts harbor warmth and potential for compassion withi…
- It's an ill battle where the devil carries the colours. — When evil forces lead the fight, victory itself becomes a moral defeat for all sides invo…
- It's good to have company in trouble. — Shared hardship becomes more bearable through mutual support and the comfort of knowing y…
- They complain wrongfully of the sea, who twice suffer shipwreck. — Repeated misfortune from the same cause reveals poor judgment rather than bad luck.
- He that will not be counselled cannot be helped. — Resistance to advice ensures problems persist; help requires receptiveness to guidance.
From our idioms
- 'n Halwe eier is beter as 'n leë dop — Half a loaf is better than none.
- Pole pole ndio mwendo — Slow and steady gets you there.
- Mvumilivu hula mbivu — Patience is rewarded.