- English translation
No one can be expected to supply what they do not possess.
- Literal wording
Whoever does not have what is needed is not obliged to provide it.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying rejects a demand placed on someone who lacks the money, goods, ability, or other means needed to meet it. It treats the absence of necessary resources as a limit on what that person can be required to do.
It can be said in defense of a person who cannot contribute, pay, or furnish something requested. It emphasizes that responsibility to provide depends on having the thing or means required in the first place.
- When it is used
Use it when explaining why a person cannot be held responsible for providing something unavailable to them. It suits situations involving payment, contributions, supplies, or another requested resource that the person does not have.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: No one can be expected to supply what they do not possess.