How to Read “There are tricks in all trades but ours”
“There are tricks in all trades but ours”
[THAYR ar triks in awl traydz buht owrz]
The word “trades” here means jobs or professions.
Meaning of “There are tricks in all trades but ours”
Simply put, this proverb means that people believe every profession has dishonest practices except their own.
The literal words talk about “tricks” in different trades or jobs. These tricks mean sneaky or dishonest ways of doing business. The proverb points out how people think their own work is honest and fair. Meanwhile, they believe everyone else’s job involves cheating or cutting corners.
We use this saying today when someone acts like their profession is perfectly honest. A mechanic might complain about dishonest lawyers while overcharging for car repairs. A politician might criticize greedy businesses while making backroom deals. The proverb shows up whenever people point fingers at other industries.
What’s interesting about this wisdom is how it reveals human blind spots. People often see problems clearly in other fields but miss them in their own. This happens because we know the good reasons behind our own shortcuts. We understand the pressures we face at work. But we don’t see the same pressures affecting other people’s jobs.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb is unknown, though it appears to be several centuries old. Early versions showed up in English collections of sayings during times when trade guilds were powerful. These guilds controlled different crafts and professions in towns and cities.
During those historical periods, competition between different trades was fierce. Blacksmiths competed with other metalworkers. Bakers watched each other carefully for unfair advantages. Each group protected their secrets and methods from outsiders. This created natural suspicion between different professions.
The saying spread as people recognized this common human tendency. It captured something everyone could relate to from their own experience. Over time, the proverb expanded beyond traditional crafts to include all kinds of work. Today it applies to any profession, from doctors to teachers to business owners.
Interesting Facts
The word “trade” originally came from Middle English meaning “path” or “course.” It evolved to mean the path someone followed in their work life. This explains why we still say someone “learned a trade” when they master a skill.
The phrase uses a common structure found in many English proverbs. It sets up a general rule, then creates an exception with “but ours.” This pattern makes the saying memorable and gives it a punch line effect.
Usage Examples
- Mechanic to customer: “I see other shops cutting corners with cheap parts and skipping safety checks – there are tricks in all trades but ours.”
- Accountant to colleague: “Every profession has people who bend the rules to get ahead – there are tricks in all trades but ours.”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals a fundamental flaw in how humans judge fairness and honesty. We naturally apply different standards to ourselves than we do to others, creating a blind spot that affects every aspect of social life.
The psychological roots run deep into our survival instincts. When we make questionable choices, our minds automatically search for justifications. We know our own pressures, deadlines, and difficult customers. We understand why we bent the rules or took shortcuts. This inside knowledge makes our actions seem reasonable and necessary. But when others do similar things, we only see the action, not the circumstances behind it.
This pattern serves an important function in maintaining self-respect and group loyalty. If people constantly questioned their own profession’s integrity, it would be hard to take pride in their work. The blind spot helps workers feel good about their contributions to society. It also strengthens bonds within professional communities, as members unite against criticism from outsiders.
However, this same mechanism creates barriers between different groups. Each profession develops its own culture and unwritten rules about acceptable behavior. What seems normal inside one field looks suspicious to outsiders. Doctors might accept certain billing practices that seem dishonest to teachers. Salespeople might use persuasion techniques that make engineers uncomfortable. Neither group is necessarily wrong, but they judge each other by their own standards.
When AI Hears This
Professionals develop tunnel vision that works in reverse. They spot problems everywhere except their own workplace. A doctor easily sees how lawyers overcharge clients. That same doctor doesn’t notice unnecessary medical tests in their practice. This happens because expertise creates protective thinking. The more someone knows their field, the more they defend it.
This pattern exists because humans need to believe their work matters. Questioning your own profession feels like questioning yourself. It’s easier to criticize other people’s jobs than admit your own has flaws. Our brains automatically protect what feeds us and gives us identity. This mental trick helps people stay confident in their careers.
What’s remarkable is how this blindness actually helps society function. If every professional constantly doubted their field, nothing would get done. The confidence that comes from ignoring your trade’s problems often produces better work. Meanwhile, outsiders provide the criticism that keeps industries honest. This creates a natural balance where everyone watches everyone else.
Lessons for Today
Understanding this wisdom starts with recognizing it in ourselves. Most people can think of times when they criticized another profession while defending similar practices in their own field. This awareness doesn’t require changing careers or becoming cynical about all work. Instead, it opens the door to more honest conversations about professional challenges.
In relationships and teamwork, this insight helps explain why conflicts arise between different departments or specialties. The marketing team isn’t necessarily trying to deceive customers, and the accounting department isn’t trying to stifle creativity. Each group faces different pressures and measures success differently. Recognizing these different perspectives reduces unnecessary suspicion and blame.
At a larger scale, this wisdom suggests approaching professional criticism with more nuance. Rather than assuming other industries are corrupt while yours is pure, it’s worth examining the specific pressures each field faces. What looks like greed might be survival in a competitive market. What seems like laziness might be burnout from unrealistic demands. This doesn’t excuse genuine wrongdoing, but it creates space for more productive discussions about improving professional standards.
The goal isn’t to become defensive about criticism or to assume everyone is equally dishonest. Instead, this proverb encourages a more balanced view of professional life. Every field has both ethical challenges and people trying to do good work despite difficult circumstances. Acknowledging this reality makes it easier to address real problems without getting stuck in finger-pointing and blame.
Comments