Meaning of the word "you cannot serve two masters" in English

What does "you cannot serve two masters" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

you cannot serve two masters

US /ju ˈkæn.ɑːt sɝːv tuː ˈmæs.tɚz/
UK /ju ˈkæn.ɒt sɜːv tuː ˈmɑː.stəz/
"you cannot serve two masters" picture

Idiom

one cannot faithfully support or be loyal to two opposing groups, interests, or principles at the same time

Example:
He tried to work for both competing companies, but he soon realized that you cannot serve two masters.
In politics, if you try to please everyone, you'll find that you cannot serve two masters.