When at Rome do as the Romans do.
Meaning and origin
Meaning: This proverb means that when you are in a different place or culture, it is important to adapt to the customs and behavior of that place rather than sticking to your own ways.
Origin: This proverb is believed to have originated from the writings of Saint Ambrose in the 4th century. The full phrase is "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not." It became popularized in other languages in the 16th century and is still commonly used today to emphasize the importance of adapting to different situations.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Make a pair.
- A man is known by his friends.
- Six of one and half a dozen of the other.
- See which way the wind is blowing.
- Jack is as good as his master.
- Like will to like.
- The house shows the owner.
- All tarred with the same brush.
- So many countries, so many customs.
- Like master, like man.
- Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl.
- A black hen lays a white egg.
- When you are an anvil, hold you Still; when you are a hammer, strike your fill.
- Like question, like answer.
- A little bird is content with a little nest.
- He loves me well that makes my belly swell.
- One mule scrubs another.