A man must sell his ware at the rate of the market.

In its immediate commercial sense, a seller must accept the price that demand and competition will bear rather than insist on a private valuation. The saying stresses that exchange is constrained by market conditions.

More broadly, it advises practical adjustment to circumstances one cannot dictate. A person offering goods, services, or proposals may need to accept realistically available terms rather than expect others to meet an ideal price.

Use this proverb when discussing bargaining, sales, or a proposal whose value depends on what others will pay or accept. It can counsel realism but may sound unsympathetic if used to dismiss a seller’s needs. Its traditional wording uses “man” generically and “ware” for merchandise, and may sound archaic.