He is in every MAN's debt and danger¹

Meaning & Analysis

To be under an obligation to everyone, placing oneself under their power, jurisdiction, or control. The term 'danger' historically refers to the state of being subject to another's power or dominion.

Insights

Loss of Autonomy

The proverb symbolizes a complete loss of personal autonomy and freedom. A person indebted to everyone is not their own master, as their decisions are dictated by the need to appease a multitude of creditors or benefactors.

Social Vulnerability

It illustrates a state of profound social and political vulnerability. Being entangled in a web of obligations to everyone leaves an individual exposed to manipulation and exploitation from all directions, with no independent ground to stand on.

Moral Compromise

This state of universal indebtedness implies a life of continuous moral compromise. One cannot act with integrity or follow a personal code of ethics when constantly forced to placate the conflicting demands of numerous masters.

Archaic Language

The proverb's meaning hinges on the archaic definition of 'danger' as 'power' or 'jurisdiction', derived from Old French. This historical sense, now largely lost, reveals that being in debt places one under the legal or social power of a creditor, a concept starkly illustrated by the cross-referenced proverb, 'Out of debt out of danger'.

Feudal Society

Originating from a time of rigid social hierarchies, the proverb reflects a feudal mindset where social standing was determined by a web of obligations. To be in everyone's 'debt and danger' was to be without independent status, subject to the will of all and master of none.

Psychological Weight

The proverb powerfully conveys the psychological burden of excessive obligation. It describes a state of constant anxiety and diminished agency, where one's actions are perpetually constrained by the fear of displeasing the numerous individuals to whom one is beholden.

Rhetorical Devices

Hyperbole

The use of 'every MAN's' is a deliberate exaggeration to emphasize the totality and hopelessness of the individual's situation, highlighting the overwhelming nature of their obligations.

Alliteration and Parallelism

The paired nouns 'debt and danger' create a rhythmic and memorable phrase, using alliteration to link financial obligation directly with its consequence: subjugation to another's power.

Hendiadys

The proverb uses 'debt' and 'danger' as a hendiadys, where two words are used to express a single, complex idea: the state of powerlessness that results from being under an obligation.

obligationvulnerabilitydebtpowerautonomydependency

Analyzed with gemini-2.5-pro on September 2, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

I am gretly yn your danger and dette for my pension.

— 1461, PASTON, Lett., no. 465, III 286

Whyche to those riche men, in whose debte and daunger they be not, do giue almost diuine honoures.

— 1551, RALPH ROBINSON, Utopia II, Of Their Journeying, p. 104

— 1616, DR., no. 450

Cross References

D166 Out of debt out of danger.

Annotations

under every man's iurisdiction or power, under an obligation

Related Proverbs

M448 Every MAN's neighbor is his looking glass 90.8%M156 A handsome-bodied MAN in the face 90.5%M533 In young MEN to err is less shame 90.3%C112 He is in ill CASE that gives example to another 90.3%W825 To eat one's WORDS 90.3%B658 A BRIBE enters everywhere without knocking 90.3%M63 As a MAN is friended so the law is ended 90.1%W45 WAR and physic are governed by the eye 90.1%M574 Old MEN wish, wise men warn, and young men work 90.1%M1293 To speak MUCH and to the matter is two men's labor 90.1%M519 Good MEN are a public good 90.1%M122 Every MAN in his way 90.0%W412 As wavering (changeable, fickle, inconstant) as the WIND 90.0%M472 A MAN's gift makes room for him 90.0%W307 To have the WHIP HAND of one 90.0%W566 WIT in a poor man's head and moss in a mountain avail nothing 90.0%M479 An old MAN's end is to keep sheep 89.9%M377 A sleeping MAN is no better than a dead man 89.9%F109 He is neither absent without FAULT nor present without excuse 89.9%H296 He may be HEARD where he is not seen 89.8%

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