proverb · Source-linked selection
A man must sell his ware at the rate of the market.
A man must sell his ware at the rate of the market.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A seller’s preferred price is constrained by what buyers will actually accept. The saying draws attention to the conditions surrounding an exchange.
What the words are saying
The market’s rate is placed above one person’s wishes. This can prompt realistic attention to demand, alternatives and the terms of an exchange. It does not establish a single fair price or require acceptance of exploitation. Prices can differ, and people may choose to wait, change their offer or decline a sale. A useful reading compares expectations with the actual situation rather than treating any quoted rate as beyond question.
Everyday example
A person offering a second-hand item compares similar offers before deciding whether to sell at the available price.
When to use it
Use it to distinguish a desired exchange from what others will currently accept.
Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗
What it does not mean
Market prices are not automatically fair; this is not financial advice.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or 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
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1030 · Market
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- English