serve two masters

To simultaneously tend to or support or devote oneself to two different—often conflicting—responsibilities, pursuits, ideas, or people. It comes from the Biblical phrase, "No man can serve two masters." You need to decide if you are married to your wife or to your work because you simply cannot serve two masters.

See also: master, serve, two

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

serve two masters

FORMAL

If a person or organization tries to serve two masters, they try to be loyal to two opposing principles, beliefs or organizations. An organization such as the BBC can either make a profit or provide an excellent public service. It cannot, however, be asked to serve two masters. Note: This expression is used in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: `No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.' (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13)

See also: master, serve, two

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

serve two masters

take orders from two superiors or follow two conflicting or opposing principles or policies at the same time.

This phrase alludes to the warning given in the Bible against trying to serve both God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24).

See also: master, serve, two

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

serve two ˈmasters

(usually used in negative sentences) support two opposing parties, principles, etc. at the same time: Government ministers are not allowed to work for private companies as nobody can serve two masters at once.This expression comes from the Bible.

See also: master, serve, two

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
wash hands of
wash one's hands of
wash your hands of
wash your hands of somebody/something
wash your hands of something/someone
for (one's) (own) sake
for sake
keep (someone or something) in sight
keep in sight

References in classic literature

I've been the slave to my money, and since I can't serve two masters I'm letting the money slide.

Burning Daylight

They knew it would be hard to serve two masters and do both jobs well.

The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the

There's a nuance that in PR, you serve two masters the client and the media.

PR then and now: Doing good and telling it well

EIU quotes Warren Buffett: 'It's too tough to serve two masters.'

Serving two masters

Niagara Falls Councilman Ken Tompkins said Monday it may be too much for Piccirillo to serve two masters as building commissioner and director of community development, leaving the opportunity for a grey area when it comes to monitoring the entire city.

Piccirillo Mum on Shutdown of Facility as Owner Claims Action "Unjust"

Much is made of players in England - unlike Ireland - having to serve two masters as the clubs are their principal employers.

NO WRAY CLUBS ARE CULPRITS; RUGBY UNION; EXCLUSIVE

It has been well said, as it relates to organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), that no one can serve two masters. One might be tempted to view OCI related to the outsourcing of government acquisition in much the same way--simply and in a binary fashion: if an economic entity is awarded government acquisition work, it will be excluded from competitions for future business related to that acquisition work.

INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AND THE OUTSOURCING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM'S MOD DEFENSE ACQUISITION FUNCTION: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE U.S. EXPERIENCE

At the American Accounting Association's recent 100th annual meeting and conference, I addressed a topic familiar to CPA Journal readers: Can CPAs serve two masters, the client and the public?

Serving two masters: a challenge for the profession and planners

Forty of the 50 fund companies are owned by financial conglomerates and they serve two masters: the conglomerates' shareholders and the fund investors, said Bogle.

Bogle at Cy65': Offers Investor Do's & Don'ts, Shows Market Landscape

Jim Wallace added: "The simple reality is that the Scottish Labour Party have a split agenda and they cannot serve two masters, it's clear to see."

@dailyrecord; RECORD READERS

ME: Some social entrepreneurs, such as microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus, argue that companies cannot serve two masters, profit and social good.

Q&A: Paul Polak

In my tradition we endeavor to follow the teachings of Jesus, who said that no servant can serve two masters; you cannot serve God and mammon.

Slow money fund invests in the Earth's future

No man can serve two masters and no master can serve two people either.

Views of the North Views of the North Who should get a vote?

"No one can serve two masters" and remain unconflicted about it.

Priests, why

So Richard Prosser decided he could not serve two masters. We respect that decision.

Uncommonly loud dissent: as many of you may have gathered from the news this past month, Richard Prosser's column with Investigate has come to an end. For more than ten years, Richard faithfully served up arguments that resonated with ordinary New Zealanders, as his recent book compilation of 'greatest hits'--Uncommon Dissent: The Evolution of a Kiwi Nationalist makes clear

词组	serve two masters
释义	serve two masters serve two masters To simultaneously tend to or support or devote oneself to two different—often conflicting—responsibilities, pursuits, ideas, or people. It comes from the Biblical phrase, "No man can serve two masters." You need to decide if you are married to your wife or to your work because you simply cannot serve two masters. See also: master, serve, two Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. serve two masters FORMAL If a person or organization tries to serve two masters, they try to be loyal to two opposing principles, beliefs or organizations. An organization such as the BBC can either make a profit or provide an excellent public service. It cannot, however, be asked to serve two masters. Note: This expression is used in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: `No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.' (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13) See also: master, serve, two Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. serve two masters take orders from two superiors or follow two conflicting or opposing principles or policies at the same time. This phrase alludes to the warning given in the Bible against trying to serve both God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24). See also: master, serve, two Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary serve two ˈmasters (usually used in negative sentences) support two opposing parties, principles, etc. at the same time: Government ministers are not allowed to work for private companies as nobody can serve two masters at once.This expression comes from the Bible. See also: master, serve, two Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: wash (one's) hands of (someone or something) wash hands of wash one's hands of wash your hands of wash your hands of somebody/something wash your hands of something/someone for (one's) (own) sake for sake keep (someone or something) in sight keep in sight References in classic literature I've been the slave to my money, and since I can't serve two masters I'm letting the money slide. Burning Daylight They knew it would be hard to serve two masters and do both jobs well. The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the There's a nuance that in PR, you serve two masters the client and the media. PR then and now: Doing good and telling it well EIU quotes Warren Buffett: 'It's too tough to serve two masters.' Serving two masters Niagara Falls Councilman Ken Tompkins said Monday it may be too much for Piccirillo to serve two masters as building commissioner and director of community development, leaving the opportunity for a grey area when it comes to monitoring the entire city. Piccirillo Mum on Shutdown of Facility as Owner Claims Action "Unjust" Much is made of players in England - unlike Ireland - having to serve two masters as the clubs are their principal employers. NO WRAY CLUBS ARE CULPRITS; RUGBY UNION; EXCLUSIVE It has been well said, as it relates to organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), that no one can serve two masters. One might be tempted to view OCI related to the outsourcing of government acquisition in much the same way--simply and in a binary fashion: if an economic entity is awarded government acquisition work, it will be excluded from competitions for future business related to that acquisition work. INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AND THE OUTSOURCING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM'S MOD DEFENSE ACQUISITION FUNCTION: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE U.S. EXPERIENCE At the American Accounting Association's recent 100th annual meeting and conference, I addressed a topic familiar to CPA Journal readers: Can CPAs serve two masters, the client and the public? Serving two masters: a challenge for the profession and planners Forty of the 50 fund companies are owned by financial conglomerates and they serve two masters: the conglomerates' shareholders and the fund investors, said Bogle. Bogle at Cy65': Offers Investor Do's & Don'ts, Shows Market Landscape Jim Wallace added: "The simple reality is that the Scottish Labour Party have a split agenda and they cannot serve two masters, it's clear to see." @dailyrecord; RECORD READERS ME: Some social entrepreneurs, such as microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus, argue that companies cannot serve two masters, profit and social good. Q&A: Paul Polak In my tradition we endeavor to follow the teachings of Jesus, who said that no servant can serve two masters; you cannot serve God and mammon. Slow money fund invests in the Earth's future No man can serve two masters and no master can serve two people either. Views of the North Views of the North Who should get a vote? "No one can serve two masters" and remain unconflicted about it. Priests, why So Richard Prosser decided he could not serve two masters. We respect that decision. Uncommonly loud dissent: as many of you may have gathered from the news this past month, Richard Prosser's column with Investigate has come to an end. For more than ten years, Richard faithfully served up arguments that resonated with ordinary New Zealanders, as his recent book compilation of 'greatest hits'--Uncommon Dissent: The Evolution of a Kiwi Nationalist makes clear
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