No living man All things can.
No living man All things can.
Meaning in plain English
No individual can do everything. The saying recognises limits of skill, time and capacity, encouraging cooperation or priorities without deciding that a particular person cannot learn, develop or take on a new challenge.
Example
A small exhibition team divides research, mounting and welcoming visitors among several members instead of expecting its best-known organiser to do all three.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
All things makes the claim deliberately broad: even a capable person cannot supply every kind of work or answer every need. The saying can relieve an unrealistic expectation that one member of a group should handle everything. Its useful application is specific, asking which task requires another skill, more time or shared responsibility. A limit in one setting is not a permanent judgement about ability. Learning, tools and support can change what is possible, while some commitments still need to be declined. The proverb supports a realistic division of work rather than an excuse to abandon every responsibility or discourage someone from trying.
When to use it
Use it when setting priorities or distributing responsibilities across a group.
Keep in mind
Capacity can develop; distinguish a present limit from a fixed judgement about someone’s ability.
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 26 · All things
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 ↗
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