Akademik

Павшее дерево рубят на дрова

Men are apt to turn misfortunes of other people to their own advantage. See На падаль и собака бежит (H)

Var.: Упавшее дерево рубят на дрова

Cf: Every hand fleeces where the sheep goes naked (Br.). The tree is no sooner down than every one runs for his hatchet (Br.). When a man is down, everyone picks on him (Am., Br.). When an oak falls every one gathers wood (Br.). When the ox is down, many are the butchers (Am.). When the tree is fallen everyone goes to it with his hatchet (Am.). When the tree is fallen, every one runs to it with his axe (Br.). When the tree is thrown down any one who likes may gather the wood (Br.)

Русско-английский словарь пословиц и поговорок. Академик.ру. 2013.