Every man for himself
Meaning: In crisis, everyone must look after their own interests.
Origin: In Chaucer's The Knight's Tale (c. 1386), the imprisoned knight Arcite tells his sworn brother Palamon that in love there is no loyalty: "Each man for himself, there is no other." A kinder old variant adds a blessing: "Every man for himself, and God for us all."
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- 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)
- German: Jeder für sich und Gott für uns alle (literally: Each one for himself and God for us all)
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.
From our compliments & insults
- Du bist ein Schatz — You're a sweetheart.
- 目に入れても痛くない (Me ni irete mo itakunai) — Said of someone you adore completely, often a child or grandchild.
- Bête comme ses pieds — Really not very bright.