Proverb

1. Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.
   • 1866, Anthony Trollope, The Belton Estate, ch. 30,

     Blood is thicker than water, is it not? If cousins are not friends, who can be?

   • Lucy Fitch Perkins, The Scotch Twins, ch. 5,

     The old clans are scattered now, but blood is thicker than water still, and you're welcome to the fireside of your kinsman!