- English translation
He lives on one man's bounty and gives his devotion to another.
- Literal wording
He eats his good and worships someone other than him.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying condemns ingratitude: a person enjoys what a benefactor provides, yet turns devotion and obedience toward someone else. The 'worship' here is figurative, meaning loyal service rather than religious devotion, and the bounty belongs to the benefactor, not to the person criticized.
The two halves are built in parallel and close on rhyming words, 'khayruh' (his bounty) and 'ghayruh' (someone else). This chiming contrast places the giver and the one who is served side by side.
- When it is used
Use it as a reproach for someone who draws benefits, livelihood or support from one person while giving loyalty, praise or obedience to another. It suits complaints about ingratitude among patrons, employers, relatives or allies, and carries a clearly critical, accusatory edge.
- Register
- colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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