One must either be the hammer or the anvil.
More German Proverbs:
Where gold chinks, arguments are of no avail.German
The wise person has long ears and a short tongue.
German
He has given the hen for the egg.
German
Nothing should be done in a hurry except catching fleas.
German
Whose bread I eat, his song I sing.
German
It is easier to descend than ascend.
German