it is a wise child that knows its own father

it is a wise child that knows its own father

proverb It is difficult to truly know who one's father is, especially in the case of a child born to unwed parents. A: "Ben was actually raised by his stepfather and didn't know it until years later." B: "Wow, I guess it's true what they say—it is a wise child that knows its own father."
See also: child, father, know, own, that, wise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

It is a wise child that knows its own father.

Prov. You can never have certain proof that a certain man is your father. (Implies that the child in question might be illegitimate.) It is a wise child that knows its own father, but Emily is so much like her dad that there's very little uncertainty.
See also: child, father, know, own, that, wise
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • teach a man to fish
  • a trouble shared is a trouble halved
  • bad habits die hard
  • chickens come home to roost
  • chickens come home to roost, one's
  • a good example is the best sermon
  • best defense is a good offense
  • a man is judged by his deeds, not by his words