Literal translation
Who breaks pays, and the pieces are his
Meaning
whoever breaks it, pays for it
Explanation
This proverb sets out a simple rule of responsibility: whoever breaks an object must cover the cost, but receives in return the broken pieces, over which they no longer have any grounds to complain since they paid for them. The second part, the pieces are his, adds a nuance missing from the shorter equivalent who breaks pays: it stresses that once the price has been paid, the broken object, however shattered, fully belongs to the one responsible, who can no longer bemoan the loss or demand further compensation. It is used to remind someone that they must answer for the consequences of their actions, particularly material damage they cause, without being able to shift the blame elsewhere. The register is sententious and common, an almost legal rule of common sense, often quoted with an air of obviousness to settle a dispute over who should pay for damage.