proverb · Words worth keeping
The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled.
The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Shared ownership can leave a task neglected when no one knows who is responsible. Agree practical care and maintenance rather than assuming that collective interest organises itself.
Example
Residents agree a rota and a way to report faults for shared equipment instead of waiting indefinitely for an unspecified volunteer.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The commonly owned ass has the worst saddle because everyone may expect someone else to attend to it. The proverb questions a gap in responsibility, not the inherent value of sharing. A shared resource can work well when duties, checks and decisions are clear. The useful question is who notices a problem and who has the means to act. It also matters whether the arrangement gives participants a fair share of the work. The saying supplies no research about common property; it offers an image of how an unclear practical obligation can become neglected.
When to use it
Use it to clarify care of a shared resource.
Keep in mind
Shared arrangements can be effective. Do not treat this rhetorical example as proof that private ownership is always better.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional (French-language collection)
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown