“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you” is the proverb that warns against turning on those who help you. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its wisdom.
What Does “Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You” Mean?
The proverb means don’t harm, insult, or act ungratefully toward the people who help, support, or provide for you. Just as a dog that bites the hand offering it food is being foolish as well as ungrateful, a person who turns on a benefactor risks losing the very support they depend on. It is a reminder to treat those who look after you — employers, supporters, friends, family — with gratitude rather than resentment.
Origin of the Proverb
The idea is ancient — the Greek poet Sappho wrote of it long ago — but the phrase became firmly established in English in the eighteenth century. The statesman Edmund Burke used a memorable version in 1770, writing of people who had “bit the hand that fed them.” The image of the ungrateful, hand-biting animal proved so apt that it has stayed in constant use as a warning against biting ingratitude.
Examples in a Sentence
- “Criticising the charity that funds your work is biting the hand that feeds you.”
- “He insulted the boss who gave him his start — don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
- “Be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you when you depend on their goodwill.”
Similar Proverbs
- Don’t foul your own nest — don’t damage the place or people you depend on.
- Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs — don’t destroy your own source of good fortune.
- Bite the hand that feeds and you will go hungry — ingratitude leaves you worse off.
- Never cut down the tree that gives you shade — don’t harm what protects you.
For more sayings about gratitude and good sense, see our smart thoughts and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “don’t bite the hand that feeds you” mean?
It means don’t harm or act ungratefully toward the people who help, support, or provide for you.
Where does the proverb come from?
The idea is ancient, but the English phrase was established in the 1700s; Edmund Burke wrote of those who had “bit the hand that fed them” in 1770.
What is a similar proverb?
“Don’t foul your own nest” and “kill the goose that lays the golden eggs” share the warning against harming what supports you.