Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Selfishness

A man overboard, a mouth the less.Dutch.

All men row galley-way; i.e., towards themselves.

Each person for his own skin.Turkish.

Every man draws the water to his own mill.

Every man for himself and God for us all.German.

Every man thinks of advancing himself, but no one thinks of the danger that may accrue to the public weal.Plutarch.

Every old woman blows under her own kettle.Servian.

Every one draws toward his own side.

Every one has his hands turned towards himself.Polish.

Every one rakes the embers to his own cake.Arabian.

Every one rakes the fire under his own pot.Danish.

For my peck of salt set the kiln on fire.

He is better with a rake than a fork.

He sets my house on fire only to roast his eggs.

Let me gain by you and no matter whether you love me or not.

Like the dog in the manger, you’ll not eat yourself nor let the horse eat.

No. 1 is the first house in the row.

Self is the first object of charity.Latin.

Self is the man.Dutch, German.

Selfishness in council brings misfortune to the State.German.

Selfishness puts all in its own sack.German.

The gardener’s dog neither eats greens (or lettuce) nor lets any one else eat them.Italian, Spanish, Portuguese.