Every man for himself, and God for us all.
Every man for himself, and God for us all.
Meaning in plain English
The saying combines individual self-interest with a shared appeal to God. It can express a tense situation in which people look after themselves, but it does not justify abandoning others or suggest that shared needs can be left entirely to divine care.
Example
When a shared workshop loses storage space, members protect essential personal tools but also agree on a fair way to move and safeguard the group’s equipment.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The first part separates each person’s interests, while the second places everyone within the same appeal to God. That combination can sound reassuring or can expose the limits of a group whose members are unwilling to help one another. A useful discussion asks what responsibility remains between people rather than letting the final phrase end the question. Individuals may need boundaries and resources of their own, but those needs can coexist with cooperation and attention to someone in difficulty. The saying does not establish what God will do or require a shared religious belief. Its practical tension concerns whether a collective expression is being accompanied by any collective action.
When to use it
Use it to discuss the tension between individual needs and responsibilities within a shared situation.
Keep in mind
Do not use a religious appeal to excuse neglect; personal boundaries and cooperation can coexist.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-04. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 504 · Every man
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗
Word-matched topics