Familiar Quotations A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature

act iii. sc. 5.

Chapter 22,477 wordsPublic domain

JOHN SKELTON. _Circa_ 1460-1529.

There is nothynge that more dyspleaseth God, Than from theyr children to spare the rod.[8-1]

_Magnyfycence. Line 1954._

He ruleth all the roste.[8-2]

_Why Come ye not to Courte. Line 198._

In the spight of his teeth.[8-3]

_Colyn Cloute. Line 939._

He knew what is what.[8-4]

_Colyn Cloute. Line 1106._

By hoke ne by croke.[8-5]

_Colyn Cloute. Line 1240._

The wolfe from the dore.

_Colyn Cloute. Line 1531._

Old proverbe says, That byrd ys not honest That fyleth hys owne nest.[8-6]

_Poems against Garnesche._

FOOTNOTES:

[8-1] He that spareth the rod hateth his son.--_Proverbs xiii. 24._

They spare the rod and spoyl the child.--RALPH VENNING: _Mysteries and Revelations_ (second ed.), _p. 5. 1649._

Spare the rod and spoil the child.--BUTLER: _Hudibras, pt. ii. c. i. l. 843._

[8-2] Rule the rost.--HEYWOOD: _Proverbes, part i. chap. v._

Her that ruled the rost.--THOMAS HEYWOOD: _History of Women._

Rules the roast.--JONSON, CHAPMAN, MARSTON: _Eastward Ho, act ii. sc. 1._ SHAKESPEARE: _2 Henry VI. act i. sc. 1._

[8-3] In spite of my teeth.--MIDDLETON: _A Trick to catch the Old One, act i. sc. 2._ FIELDING: _Eurydice Hissed._

[8-4] He knew what 's what.--BUTLER: _Hudibras, part i. canto i. line 149._

[8-5] In hope her to attain by hook or crook.--SPENSER: _Faerie Queene, book iii. canto i. st. 17._

[8-6] It is a foule byrd that fyleth his owne nest.--HEYWOOD: _Proverbes, part ii. chap. v._

JOHN HEYWOOD.[8-7] _Circa_ 1565.

The loss of wealth is loss of dirt, As sages in all times assert; The happy man 's without a shirt.

_Be Merry Friends._

Let the world slide,[9-1] let the world go; A fig for care, and a fig for woe! If I can't pay, why I can owe, And death makes equal the high and low.

_Be Merry Friends._

All a green willow, willow, All a green willow is my garland.

_The Green Willow._

Haste maketh waste.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii._

Beware of, Had I wist.[9-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii._

Good to be merie and wise.[9-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii._

Beaten with his owne rod.[9-4]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii._

Look ere ye leape.[9-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii._

He that will not when he may, When he would he shall have nay.[9-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

The fat is in the fire.[9-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

When the sunne shineth, make hay.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

When the iron is hot, strike.[10-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

The tide tarrieth no man.[10-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

Than catch and hold while I may, fast binde, fast finde.[10-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

And while I at length debate and beate the bush, There shall steppe in other men and catch the burdes.[10-4]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

While betweene two stooles my taile goe to the ground.[10-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

So many heads so many wits.[10-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

Wedding is destiny, And hanging likewise.[10-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

Happy man, happy dole.[11-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii._

God never sends th' mouth but he sendeth meat.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

Like will to like.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

A hard beginning maketh a good ending.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

When the skie falth we shall have Larkes.[11-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

More frayd then hurt.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

Feare may force a man to cast beyond the moone.[11-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

Nothing is impossible to a willing hart.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv._

The wise man sayth, store is no sore.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

Let the world wagge,[11-4] and take mine ease in myne Inne.[11-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

Rule the rost.[11-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

Hold their noses to grinstone.[11-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

Better to give then to take.[11-8]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

When all candles bee out, all cats be gray.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

No man ought to looke a given horse in the mouth.[11-9]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v._

I perfectly feele even at my fingers end.[12-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. vi._

A sleveless errand.[12-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. vii._

We both be at our wittes end.[12-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii._

Reckeners without their host must recken twice.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii._

A day after the faire.[12-4]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii._

Cut my cote after my cloth.[12-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii._

The neer to the church, the further from God.[12-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix._

Now for good lucke, cast an old shooe after me.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix._

Better is to bow then breake.[12-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix._

It hurteth not the toung to give faire words.[12-8]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix._

Two heads are better then one.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix._

A short horse is soone currid.[12-9]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

To tell tales out of schoole.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

To hold with the hare and run with the hound.[12-10]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

She is nether fish nor flesh, nor good red herring.[13-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

All is well that endes well.[13-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Of a good beginning cometh a good end.[13-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Shee had seene far in a milstone.[13-4]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Better late than never.[13-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

When the steede is stolne, shut the stable durre.[13-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Pryde will have a fall; For pryde goeth before and shame commeth after.[13-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

She looketh as butter would not melt in her mouth.[13-8]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

The still sowe eats up all the draffe.[13-9]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Ill weede growth fast.[13-10]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

It is a deere collop That is cut out of th' owne flesh.[14-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Beggars should be no choosers.[14-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x._

Every cocke is proud on his owne dunghill.[14-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

The rolling stone never gathereth mosse.[14-4]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

To robbe Peter and pay Poule.[14-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

A man may well bring a horse to the water, But he cannot make him drinke without he will.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Men say, kinde will creepe where it may not goe.[14-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

The cat would eate fish, and would not wet her feete.[14-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

While the grasse groweth the horse starveth.[14-8]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Better one byrde in hand than ten in the wood.[15-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Rome was not built in one day.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Yee have many strings to your bowe.[15-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Many small make a great.[15-3]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Children learne to creepe ere they can learne to goe.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Better is halfe a lofe than no bread.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Nought venter nought have.[15-4]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Children and fooles cannot lye.[15-5]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Set all at sixe and seven.[15-6]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

All is fish that comth to net.[15-7]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Who is worse shod than the shoemaker's wife?[15-8]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

One good turne asketh another.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

By hooke or crooke.[15-9]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

She frieth in her owne grease.[16-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

Who waite for dead men shall goe long barefoote.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

I pray thee let me and my fellow have A haire of the dog that bit us last night.[16-2]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

But in deede, A friend is never knowne till a man have neede.

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi._

This wonder (as wonders last) lasted nine daies.[16-3]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. i._

New brome swepth cleene.[16-4]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. i._

All thing is the woorse for the wearing.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. i._

Burnt child fire dredth.[16-5]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ii._

All is not Gospell that thou doest speake.[16-6]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ii._

Love me litle, love me long.[16-7]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ii._

A fooles bolt is soone shot.[16-8]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iii._

A woman hath nine lives like a cat.[16-9]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv._

A peny for your thought.[16-10]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv._

You stand in your owne light.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv._

Though chaunge be no robbry.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv._

Might have gone further and have fared worse.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv._

The grey mare is the better horse.[17-1]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv._

Three may keepe counsayle, if two be away.[17-2]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Small pitchers have wyde eares.[17-3]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Many hands make light warke.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

The greatest Clerkes be not the wisest men.[17-4]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Out of Gods blessing into the warme Sunne.[17-5]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

There is no fire without some smoke.[17-6]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

One swallow maketh not summer.[17-7]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Fieldes have eies and woods have eares.[17-8]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

A cat may looke on a King.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

It is a foule byrd that fyleth his owne nest.[18-1]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Have yee him on the hip.[18-2]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Hee must have a long spoone, shall eat with the devill.[18-3]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

It had need to bee A wylie mouse that should breed in the cats eare.[18-4]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Leape out of the frying pan into the fyre.[18-5]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Time trieth troth in every doubt.[18-6]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Mad as a march hare.[18-7]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

Much water goeth by the mill That the miller knoweth not of.[18-8]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v._

He must needes goe whom the devill doth drive.[18-9]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

Set the cart before the horse.[18-10]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

The moe the merrier.[19-1]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

To th' end of a shot and beginning of a fray.[19-2]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

It is better to be An old man's derling than a yong man's werling.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

Be the day never so long, Evermore at last they ring to evensong.[19-3]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

The moone is made of a greene cheese.[19-4]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

I know on which side my bread is buttred.

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii._

It will not out of the flesh that is bred in the bone.[19-5]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. viii._

Who is so deafe or so blinde as is hee That wilfully will neither heare nor see?[19-6]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

The wrong sow by th' eare.[19-7]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

Went in at the tone eare and out at the tother.[19-8]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

Love me, love my dog.[19-9]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

An ill winde that bloweth no man to good.[20-1]

_Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix._

For when I gave you an inch, you tooke an ell.[20-2]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

Would yee both eat your cake and have your cake?[20-3]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

Every man for himselfe and God for us all.[20-4]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

Though he love not to buy the pig in the poke.[20-5]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix._

This hitteth the naile on the hed.[20-6]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. xi._

Enough is as good as a feast.[20-7]

_Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. xi._

FOOTNOTES:

[8-7] The _Proverbes_ of John Heywood is the earliest collection of English colloquial sayings. It was first printed in 1546. The title of the edition of 1562 is, _John Heywoodes Woorkes. A Dialogue conteyning the number of the effectuall proverbes in the English tounge, compact in a matter concernynge two maner of Maryages_, etc. The selection here given is from the edition of 1874 (a reprint of 1598), edited by Julian Sharman.

[9-1] Let the world slide.--_Towneley Mysteries, p. 101_ (1420). SHAKESPEARE: _Taming of the Shrew, induc. 1._ BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER: _Wit without Money, act v. sc. 2._

[9-2] A common exclamation of regret occurring in Spenser, Harrington, and the older writers. An earlier instance of the phrase occurs in the _Towneley Mysteries_.

[9-3] 'T is good to be merry and wise.--JONSON, CHAPMAN, MARSTON: _Eastward Ho, act i. sc. 1._ BURNS: _Here 's a health to them that 's awa'._

[9-4] don fust C'on kint souvent est-on batu. (By his own stick the prudent one is often beaten.)

_Roman du Renart, circa 1300._

[9-5] Look ere thou leap.--In _Tottel's Miscellany, 1557_; and in Tusser's _Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. Of Wiving and Thriving. 1573._

Thou shouldst have looked before thou hadst leapt.--JONSON, CHAPMAN, MARSTON: _Eastward Ho, act v. sc. 1._

Look before you ere you leap.--BUTLER: _Hudibras, pt. ii. c. ii. l. 502._

[9-6] He that will not when he may, When he will he shall have nay.

BURTON: _Anatomy of Melancholy, pt. iii. sec. 2, mem. 5, subs. 5._

He that wold not when he might, He shall not when he wolda.

_The Baffled Knight._ PERCY: _Reliques_.

[9-7] All the fatt 's in the fire.--MARSTON: _What You Will. 1607._

[10-1] You should hammer your iron when it is glowing hot.--PUBLIUS SYRUS: _Maxim 262._

Strike whilst the iron is hot.--RABELAIS: _book ii. chap. xxxi._ WEBSTER: _Westward Hoe._ _Tom A'Lincolne._ FARQUHAR: _The Beaux' Stratagem, iv. 1._

[10-2] Hoist up saile while gale doth last, Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure.

ROBERT SOUTHWELL: _St. Peter's Complaint. 1595._

Nae man can tether time or tide.--BURNS: _Tam O' Shanter._

[10-3] Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

SHAKESPEARE: _Merchant of Venice, act ii. sc. 5._

Also in _Jests of Scogin. 1565._

[10-4] It is this proverb which Henry V. is reported to have uttered at the siege of Orleans. "Shall I beat the bush and another take the bird?" said King Henry.

[10-5] Entre deux arcouns chet cul a terre (Between two stools one sits on the ground).--_Les Proverbes del Vilain, MS. Bodleian. Circa 1303._

S'asseoir entre deux selles le cul a terre (One falls to the ground in trying to sit on two stools).--RABELAIS: _book i. chap. ii._

[10-6] As many men, so many minds.--TERENCE: _Phormio, ii. 3._

As the saying is, So many heades, so many wittes.--QUEEN ELIZABETH: _Godly Meditacyon of the Christian Sowle. 1548._

So many men so many mindes.--GASCOIGNE: _Glass of Government._

[10-7] Hanging and wiving go by destiny.--_The Schole-hous for Women. 1541._ SHAKESPEARE: _Merchant of Venice, act 2. sc. 9._

Marriage and hanging go by destiny; matches are made in heaven.--BURTON: _Anatomy of Melancholy, part iii. sec. 2, mem. 5, subs. 5._

[11-1] Happy man be his dole--SHAKESPEARE: _Merry Wives, act iii. sc. 4_; _Winter's Tale, act i. sc. 2_. BUTLER: _Hudibras, part i.