Provençal expression

qu tèn la coua de la sartan, la viro d'ounte vòu

Wisdom

Literal translation

who holds the frying pan's handle turns it wherever it wants

Meaning

whoever holds the reins calls the shots

Explanation

Whoever holds the frying pan's handle turns it wherever they want. Whoever holds power decides everything.

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Other expressions on the same theme

cadun pèr sa pèuevery man for himself proumiero carita coumenço pèr l'oustaucharity begins at home dins ma camiso i'a quaucun qu'ame bènthere's someone close to me whom I hold dear qu si fiso au dino deis autre, dino tard emai mauhe who relies on others' meals dines late and poorly gros manjaire n'es pas dounairea big eater is rarely a big giver quand l'ai a escapa de l'estable, fan la porto novoclosing the barn door after the horse has bolted