Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même.
“Well-ordered charity begins with oneself.”
One must first take care of one's own needs before being able to properly help others.
— Traditional Saint-Martin Wisdom, Saint Martin
Source: Traditional French proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Saint Martin
Little by little, the bird builds its nest.
Patient, steady effort accumulates into something substantial over time.
He who steals an egg will steal an ox.
A small dishonest act reveals a character capable of much greater wrongdoing.
The habit does not make the monk.
Outward appearance does not reveal a person's true nature or worth.
One must not sell the bear's skin before killing it.
Do not count on the rewards of something before it has actually been achieved.
A scalded cat fears even cold water.
A painful past experience can make someone overly cautious, even about something harmless.
Good accounts make good friends.
Being clear and honest about money and debts helps preserve friendships.