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"And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not  his sisters here with us?  And they were offended at him.

But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 

And he marvelled because of their unbelief,  And he went round about the villages, teaching."

                                                    Mark 6:2 – 6

The Frustrated CFO comment:

Philosophical and belletristic powers of biblical stories lie in their proverbial precision and universality.  It's no surprise that people frequently use phrases that became ingrained into our common cultural consciousness without even knowing that they are quoting the Bible.  

In this particular case, many use a simplified version (No man is a prophet in his own land); others put it into their own words ("He was a dreamer, a thinker, a speculative philosopher… or, as his wife would have it, an idiot" [Douglas Adams]) – but the truth remains: People who know us privately, who observe us growing up or growing old, who see us in our house robes and undies, who bring us tissues and teas when we are sick, cannot appreciate us for our achievements, even if they enjoy their fruits.

Great men and women are frequently treated carelessly by their siblings, long-time friends, old neighbors, spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends.  I frequently hear stories told by various business owners and executives about their children who have no idea what their parents do, don't care to find out, and treat them as if they were some silly schmucks.  Scary people who control fates and well-being of numerous entities and their employees around the world are made fun of at home.  My own daughter rarely shows any respect to me, but will admire and listen to other people.

It takes someone as objective as I am to acknowledge an extraordinary person in someone very close.  Alas, it's an impossibly rare exception to the common rule: one will not get honored in his/her own house.