He knows on which side his bread is buttered.
Meaning: Self-interest guides his loyalty; he cultivates favor with those who benefit him most.
Origin: John Heywood's 1546 collection has "I know on which side my bread is buttered." It describes someone who knows exactly where their advantage lies, and acts — or keeps quiet — accordingly.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Do not buy a pig in a poke. — Inspecting merchandise before purchase prevents you from paying for defective or worthles…
- Let the buyer look out for himself. — Purchasers bear responsibility for inspecting goods carefully before buying, not sellers…
- Calm weather in June sets corn in tune. — Settled conditions in early summer allow corn to establish strong roots and flourish thro…
- On Candlemas day throw candle and candle-stick away. — After winter's darkest stretch passes, discard what sustained you through scarcity; abund…
- Be captain of your own ship. — Assume responsibility for directing your life's course rather than passively accepting ot…
- Don't run away with more than you can carry. — Greed beyond capacity leads to dropping everything and gaining nothing.
From our idioms
- Être soupe au lait — To be quick-tempered and flare up easily.
- Ne pas être sorti de l'auberge — To be far from done with one's troubles.
- Avoir la pêche — To be full of energy and on top form.