proverb · Words worth keeping
He is most loved that hath most bags.
He is most loved that hath most bags.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Bags stand for possessions or money, and the saying suspects that apparent affection follows wealth. It invites scrutiny of interested attention rather than proving that wealthy people cannot be loved, or that every friendship contains a concealed bargain.
Example
A guest notices that one acquaintance calls only when seeking introductions, while another stays in touch without requesting favours.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The person with the most bags receives the most love in this cynical picture. What appears to be affection may instead be attraction to what someone can supply. The image can help distinguish care for a person from attention that disappears when an advantage is unavailable. It cannot settle that distinction by itself. A generous relationship may involve resources without being dishonest, and genuine affection is not confined to any economic position. Read the sentence as a suspicion to examine through particular behaviour, rather than a universal explanation of why people form attachments.
When to use it
Use it to question attention that appears conditional on access or advantage.
Keep in mind
Wealth alone proves nothing about the sincerity of affection.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English