Every man for himself

Meaning: In crisis, everyone must look after their own interests.

Origin: English proverb from Chaucer's Knight's Tale (1386).

Translations

• French: Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous (literally: Each for himself and God for all)
• Spanish: Cada uno para sí y Dios para todos (literally: Each one for himself and God for all)
• Japanese: 自分のことは自分で (Jibun no koto wa jibun de) (literally: Each person for themselves)

More proverbs about Human Nature

• No man is an island — Humans need connection with others.
• Beggars on horseback — Those given power abuse it worst.
• Familiarity breeds contempt — Being too close to something can reduce appreciation for it.
• Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are — The company you keep reflects and shapes your own character.
• One kind word can warm three winter months — A single act of kindness has an impact far greater and longer-lasting than the moment it…
• Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches — Only the person experiencing a difficulty truly understands its depth.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…