In the historical novel I’ve just finished reading (set in late 17th century) there’s a delightful character who has a proverb for every situation. Some of his proverbs I recognize, most I don’t.
Here they are, just for fun:
- Beggers should be no chusers.
- He that hath an ill name is half-hanged.
- He is happie that is wed, and without trouble.
- All shall be well, and Jacke shall have Gill.
- Age and wedlocke lames man and beast.
- When at Rome, do as Rome does.
- Happie is he that can beware by other men’s harmes.
- A close mouth catches no flys.
- Speake faire, and thinke what you will.
- Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dementat. (Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad)
- Many kisse the child for the nurse’s sake.
- The longest day hath his end.
- Without hope the heart would break.
- Many stumble at a straw and leap over a blocke.
- Bought wit is best.
- He runneth far, that never turneth againe.
- Malice never speaks well.
- A friend in court is worth a penny in purse.
- As a man is friended, so the law is ended.
- ’Tis good riding at two anchors, men have told; for if the one faile, the other may hold.
- He must needs goe that the devill drives.
- Vertulesse gentilitie is worse than beggerie.
- Tread upon a woman, and she’ll turne.
- He that will not when he may, when hee would he shall have nay.
- Young men thinke that olde be fooles, but old men do know that young men be fooles.
- A man far from his good is nigh his harme.
- Every man knowes where his shooe wrings him.
- He that reckons without his host, must reckon twice.
- Take time when Time commeth, lest Time steale away.
- Love and lordship like no fellowship,
- He that will not be rul’d by his owne dame, must bee ruled by his step-dame.
- A friend is never knowne till a man have need.
- Every man as he loveth, as the good man said, when hee kist his cow.
- He that mischief hatcheth, mischief catcheth.
==> Sydney C. Grier (Hilda Caroline Gregg).
In Furthest Ind. Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1894.