To accept a favour is to sell one’s freedom

Similar English and Irish sayings:

When the cuckoo comes to the bare thorn, sell your cow and buy you corn; but when she comes to the futt bit, sell your corn and buy you sheep When the cuckoo comes to the bare thorn, sell your cow and buy you corn; but when she comes to the futt bit, sell your corn and buy you sheep
He praises who wishes to sell He praises who wishes to sell
To sell the bear’s skin before one has caught the bear To sell the bear’s skin before one has caught the bear

Proverbs and English sayings