The facts on file dictionary of proverbs

Introduction Arrogance and overconfidence often lead to humiliation or disaster; often used as a warning . . . uneasy lies the head that wears a crown Those in power are weighed down by responsibilities, feelings of insecurity, or fears of losing their position and can never rest easy . . . Examples Examples have been chosen to demonstrate the use of a proverb. They come from English literature or have been specially compiled for this text: boys will be boys Boys must be forgiven for their bad or boisterous behavior; also used ironically when grown men behave in an irresponsible or childish manner: “Aunt Sally was a good deal uneasy; but Uncle Silas he said there warn’t no occasion to be—boys will be boys, he said, and you’ll see this one turn up in the morning all sound and right” (Mark Twain, Huckleberry Finn, 1884). a good name is sooner lost than won It takes a lot of time and effort to earn a good name for yourself, but you can lose it in an instant with a single foolish act: Think carefully before you get involved in anything that is not strictly legal—remember that a good name is sooner lost than won. Origins Many proverbs have been in use for many years: every man is his own worst enemy . . . The proverb was first recorded in Thomas Browne’s Religio Medici (1643). every man is the architect of his own fortune . . . The proverb is attributed to the Roman politician Appius Claudius Caecus, who held the post of censor from 312 b.c. to 308 b.c. Sometimes, proverbs are quotations: the leopard can’t change its spots . . . The proverb is of biblical origin: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23). x Introduction a rose by any other name would smell as sweet . . . The proverb comes from Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet (2:2): “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet.” Some proverbs have come into use in contemporary times. These include: garbage in, garbage out . . . First recorded in 1964, the proverb originally referred to computer input and output, and is still used in that context, often in the form of the acronym GIGO. if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it . . . The proverb was first recorded in 1977, popularized by Bert Lance, director of the Office of Management and Budget in President Jimmy Carter’s administration. it takes a village to raise a child . . . Of African origin, the proverb was popularized by Hillary Clinton, wife of President Bill Clinton, in the mid-1990s. The “first recorded” date given is not the date of origin—most proverbs originated in spoken language, and this is simply the first known written record of the proverb: first impressions are the most lasting . . . The proverb was first recorded in William Congreve’s play The Way of the World (1700) in the form “There is a great deal in the first impression.” Where an early form of a proverb or other quotation is taken from a named source, the spellings of the original have been retained; in other cases spellings have been modernized for the convenience of the user: nature abhors a vacuum . . . Of ancient origin, the proverb was first recorded in English in 1551, in Thomas Cranmer’s Answer to Gardiner: “Naturall reason abhorreth vacuum.” a cat has nine lives . . . The proverb was first recorded in 1546 in the form “A woman has nine lives like a cat.” Variants and use of proverbs Variants on the proverb are given after the main entry: a word to the wise is sufficient xi Introduction Variant of this proverb: a word is enough to the wise. Alterations to the words of the proverb, shorter expressions of the proverb, or humorous applications are also shown: once a thief always a thief . . . Other words may be substituted for thief, such as crook, drunkard, fool, or whore, and the proverb is occasionally applied to those with enduring virtues rather than persistent vices, as in “Once a lady, always a lady.” to err is human, to forgive divine . . . A modern facetious variant is “To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.” Cross-references Cross-references are given from all variant entries that are not alphabetically adjacent to the main form: A word is enough to the wise See A WORD TO THE WISE IS SUFFICIENT. Proverbs with similar or opposite meanings Proverbs that express similar or opposite meanings are listed at the end of entries: actions speak louder than words Proverb expressing similar meaning: deeds are fruits, words are but leaves. absence makes the heart grow fonder Proverb expressing opposite meaning: out of sight, out of mind. Indexes Two indexes are included at the back of this dictionary: Index of themes—a listing of proverbs under thematic headings. Index of keywords—a listing of the nouns, adjectives, and verbs of the proverbs. Martin H. Manser Rosalind Fergusson David Pickering xii ååå absence is the mother of disillusion A period of separation may enable you to consider people or things more objectively and see them in a truer but less favorable light: While her boyfriend was away she became increasingly aware of all his little faults, which she had ignored when they were together—absence is the mother of disillusion. The proverb is recorded as a regional expression in the United States. absence makes the heart grow fonder Your affection for those close to you— family and friends—increases when you are parted from them: “. . . meantime he exhorts me to the exercise of patience, ‘that first of woman’s virtues,’ and desires me to remember the saying, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ and comfort myself with the assurance that the longer he stays away the better he shall love me when he returns” (Anne Brontë, Tenant of Wildfell Hall, 1848). The proverb was first recorded c. 1850, but the sentiment is expressed in earlier literature— for example, by James Howell (1593?–1666), who wrote “Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.” Compare Sextus Propertius (c. 54 b.c.–a.d. 2), “semper in absentes felicior aestus amantes [passion is always warmer toward absent lovers].” a å Proverb expressing opposite meaning: out of sight, out of mind. See he who is absent is always in the wrong. the absent are always in the wrong the absent are never without fault nor the present without excuse See he who is absent is always in the wrong. accidents will happen in the best-regulated families No matter how careful you are, you may still do something by accident or mistake; often used to console somebody who has done such a thing: “‘Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘accidents will occur in the best-regulated families; and in families not regulated by . . . the influence of Woman, in the lofty character of Wife, they must be expected with confidence, and must be borne with philosophy’” (Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, 1850). The proverb was first recorded in George Colman’s play Deuce Is in Him (1763) in the shorter form “accidents will happen.” Variant of this proverb: accidents will happen in the best of families. accusing the times is but excusing ourselves People who seek to blame the 1 action is worry’s worst enemy times or conditions they live in are really trying to avoid taking the blame themselves: It strikes me that the prime minister needs to be reminded that those who accuse the times are but excusing themselves. The proverb was first recorded in 1732 by Thomas Fuller in Gnomologia. Proverb expressing similar meanings: he who excuses himself accuses himself. action is worry’s worst enemy You can banish anxiety by keeping busy and active, or by taking action to solve the problem that is worrying you: Action is worry’s worst enemy, so don’t just sit there brooding—do something! actions speak louder than words What you do is more important than what you say, or what you promise to do: “The gallant foreigner, who could not tell them how he sympathized with them, but whose actions spoke louder than words” (F. McCullagh, With the Cossacks, 1906). The first recorded use of the proverb, in the form “actions are more precious than words,” was in a speech by the English politician John Pym in 1628. Its current form is of U.S. origin. Proverb expressing similar meaning: deeds are fruits, words are but leaves. action without thought is like shooting without aim Think before you act in order to achieve the best results: Disregarding the proverb that action without thought is like shooting without aim, he went straight out and bought a computer that proved to be totally unsuitable for his needs. Proverb expressing similar meaning: look before you leap. 2 admiration is the daughter of ignorance People often admire others about whom they only have incomplete knowledge: The president’s current popularity only proves the rule that admiration is the daughter of ignorance. This U.S. proverb was first recorded in 1733–58 by Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanack. Proverb expressing similar meaning: what the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over. Proverb expressing opposite meaning: prejudice is the daughter of ignorance. adventures are to the adventurous Those who are not bold, and who take no risks, will not have exciting lives or achieve spectacular things: “He told himself that adventure was to the adventurous. . . . If he could not make the effort for the small he would miss the big adventure” (Thomas Hinde, Mr. Nicholas, 1952). The proverb was first recorded in Benjamin Disraeli’s Coningsby (1844). In times of hardship or misfortune people often befriend or form alliances with those whose company they would normally avoid: The merger of the two companies surprised everybody, but these are hard times for the industry and adversity makes strange bedfellows. The proverb was first recorded in Shakespeare’s play The Tempest (2:2) in the form “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” Variants of this proverb: misery makes strange bedfellows; poverty makes strange bedfellows. adversity makes strange bedfellows A period of anger or trouble is usually followed by a period of relative peace: “After a after a storm comes a calm ååååå after dinner rest awhile, after supper walk a mile AFRICAN PROVERBS Every African country has its heritage of sayings and proverbs. Some are known throughout the continent, while others are unique to particular countries. The following list includes some of the most colorful examples, many of them inspired by the wildlife and landscape of Africa. The best trees grow on the steepest hills By trying often, the monkey learns to jump from the tree Do not blame God for having created the tiger, but thank him for not giving it wings Even if the elephant is thin he is still the lord of the jungle Even the best cooking pot will not produce food Every beast roars in its own den Fear is no obstacle to death Goats cannot live in a herd of leopards He on whose head we would break a coconut never stands still The horizon will not disappear as you run towards it Hunt in every jungle, for there is wisdom and good hunting in all of them If there were no elephants in the jungle, the buffalo would be big If they are offered winged ants, people will eat them If you have escaped the jaws of the crocodile while bathing in the river, you will surely meet a leopard on the way If you have five wives, then you have five tongues Rain does not fall on one roof alone The smaller the lizard the greater the hope of becoming a crocodile The viper assumes the colors of his surroundings When you chop off a snake’s head all you are left with is a piece of rope Where the cattle stand together, the lion lies down hungry Where there is no wealth there is no poverty storm comes a calm. Wearied with a former blustering they began now to repose themselves in a sad silence” (Thomas Fuller, Church History of Britain, 1655). The proverb was first recorded in this form in 1582, but the sentiment it expresses is found in writing more than 200 years earlier. It has given rise to the cliché the calm before the storm, which reverses the order of things and describes a period of peace before an upheaval. Proverbs expressing similar meaning: the darkest hour is just before dawn; when things are at the worst they begin to mend. after death the doctor Help sometimes comes too late: “All his tricks founder, and he brings his physic/After his patient’s death: the King already/Hath married the fair lady” (William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, 3:2). The proverb was first recorded c. 1385–90 by Geoffrey Chaucer in Troilus and Criseyde. after dinner rest awhile, after supper walk a mile It is best for the digestion 3