proverb · Words worth keeping
To cut broad thongs from another man’s leather.
To cut broad thongs from another man’s leather.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
It is easy to be expansive with resources that belong to someone else. Obtain consent and respect limits instead of treating another person’s supplies as freely available.
Example
A volunteer promises a charity the use of another member’s van for a whole week. They first need the owner’s agreement rather than praising the promise as generosity.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Broad thongs consume more leather, and the leather belongs to another person. The image exposes how apparent generosity or ambition can depend on a cost the decision-maker does not bear. Before committing shared money, time or materials, ask who owns them, who authorised the use and what the commitment prevents. This matters even when the proposed purpose sounds admirable. The saying is not against genuine generosity; it asks whether the person being generous has the right to give what they offer.
When to use it
Use it when a large commitment spends someone else’s resources.
Keep in mind
Delegated authority may allow use of shared resources. Check the actual agreement instead of assuming every generous proposal is unauthorised.
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