ProverbHuman Nature
English originc. 1386
English originc. 1386Every 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, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, and Chinese
French: Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous (literally: Each for himself and God for all)
German: Jeder für sich und Gott für uns alle (literally: Each one for himself and God for us all)
Italian: Ognuno per sé e Dio per tutti (literally: Each for himself and God for all)
Portuguese: Cada um por si e Deus por todos (literally: Each one for himself and God for all)
Polish: Każdy sobie rzepkę skrobie (literally: Everyone scrapes his own little turnip)
Chinese: 各人自扫门前雪，莫管他家瓦上霜 (Gè rén zì sǎo mén qián xuě, mò guǎn tā jiā wǎ shàng shuāng) (literally: Each sweeps the snow from his own door, never mind the frost on others' roofs)
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- 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.
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