proverb · Words worth keeping
To each his own.
To each his own.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The phrase allows each person their own preference. It recognises that people may value or enjoy different things.
What the words are saying
Each and own give choice an individual place rather than a single shared standard. A useful application can make room for harmless differences without deciding that every action is beyond criticism. Preferences and conduct affecting others are separate matters.
Everyday example
Friends choose different activities without treating either harmless preference as inferior.
When to use it
Use it to acknowledge different preferences within their actual effects.
What it does not mean
Personal preference does not remove responsibility for conduct affecting others.
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
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 188; PDF page 31
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.