Charity begins at home

Charity begins at home

Examples

"My family will be ruined, and brought upon the parish," said the land-jobber. "Charity begins at home," replied Tom; "I must take care of myself in these hard times." (Irving)

When, warmed by champagne, he had her all to himself, he unbosomed himself of his wrongs; of his smothered resentment against the new chef at the Club; his worry over the house in Wigmore Street, where the rascally tenant had gone bankrupt through helping his brother-in-law - as if charity did not begin at home; of his deafness, too, and that pain he sometimes got in his right side. (Galsworthy)

"He's what's called a cosmopolite," Isobel suggested. "That means he's a little of everything and not much of any. I must say I think patriotism is like charity - it begins at home." (James)

I make a rule, I never tell myself lies - never. There are few who can say that. To my mind - truth begins at home and for the most part - stops there. (Wells)

Russian translation

Благотворительность начинается дома.
Люди заботятся прежде всего о себе и своих близких.

Synonyms

Let them learn first to show piety at home.
Near is my coat (shirt), but nearer is my shirt (skin).
Blood is thicker than water.

Comparison

Своя рубаха ближе к телу.
Свое дитя и горбато, да мило.
Рубаха кафтана ближе.