Public money is like holy water; everyone helps himself to it.

Related:

• There's no thief like a bad book. --
  Italian...
• When your neighbor's house is on fire, carry water to your own.
  Italian...
• The first drink with water, the second without water,
  the third like water. Spanish...
• The unfortunate thing about public misfortunes is that everyone regards himself as qualified to talk about them.
  E.M....
• Forgiving the unrepentant is like drawing pictures on water.
  Japanese...
• The wise man shapes himself to circumstances as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.
  Chinese...
• Money, like a queen, gives rank and beauty.
  Latin...
• Italian Proverb She who is silent
  consents...
• Donna pelosa, donna virtuosa. --
  Italian...