"CROP” OF PROVERBS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1929, Page 12

"CROP” OF PROVERBS

wise and Otherwise.

Here are a few proverbs not so well known as those of the Book of Proverbs, but containing much wisdom nevertheless. He who passes a winter’s day passes one of his mortal enemies. You may preach ever so long to the wolf; he will nevertheless call for lamb before night. Wealth is not his who makes it, but his who enjoys it. The miser and the pig are of no use till dead. She who is born a beauty is born betrothed. Tell your friend a lie, and if he keeps it secret tell him the truth. A true gentleman would rather have his clothes torn than mended. Put your hand in your conscience and see if it doesn’t come out as black as pitch. Praise a fine day at night. A man does not look behind the door unless he has stood there himself. A slothful man never has time. Of other men’s leather, large thongs. He who does not mix with the crowd knows nothing. He who eats pears with his master should not choose the best. Would you know your daughter? See her in company. The gardener’s feet do no harm to the garden. . When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game. . The secret in swimming is to know how to take care of your clothes. There are inore old drunkards than old doctors. ■ He who would relish his food must not see it cooked. Health without money is a halfmalady. If a beard were all, the goat would be the winner. When there is no wind every man is a pilot. Who has a head won’t want for a hat.

The greatest cunning is to have none at all. Nobody so wise but has a little folly to spare. He is nearest to God who has the fewest wants. At a dangerous passage yield precedence.

A woman laughs when she can, and weeps when she pleases. Every priestling conceals a popeling. Every fool is wise when he holds his tongue. Better afield with the birds than hanging on lords. Desire beautifies what is ugly. An apothecary need not be long a cuckold. A wise man and a fool together know more than a wise man alone. God sends nothing but what can be borne. He who gives to the public gives to no one. . It is better to hear the nightingale sing than the mouse gnaw. A man of straw needs a woman of gold. The best of the mill is that the sacks can’t speak. The day I did not sweep the house there came to it one I did not expect. A good swimmer is not safe against drowning. A hundred years hence we shall all be bald. A golden key opens every door save that of heaven. If you let them put the calf on your shoulders, it will not be long before they clap on the cow. Every man carries an enemy in his own bosom. A wise man ,may learn of a fool. The Daughters of. Joy are mostly orphans. ’ The devil tempts all, but the idle man tempts the devil. It is easier to make a lady of a peasant girl than a peasant girl of a lady.

Nothing in haste but catching fleas. One “Take this” is better than ten “Gold help you!” A woman’s first counsel is the best. Better a friend’s bite than an enemy’s caress. People take more pains to be damned than to be saved. Who goes himself is in earnest; who sends is indifferent. , It is a bad thing to be a knave, but worse to be known for one. The difficult thing is to get the foot in the stirrup. The handsomest woman can only give what she has. Every truth is not to be told. If you are an anvil, be patient; if you are a hammer, strike hard. Everything may be repaired except the neckbone. A lawyer and a cartwheel must be greased. When the cook and the steward fail out we hear who stole the butter. If the wife sins, the husband is not innocent. Talk of sporting, and buy game in the market. Since the house is on fire, let us warm ourselves. He who would make a fool of himself will find many to help him. When all other sins are old, avarice is still young. Samson was a strong man, but he could not pay money before he had it.

It is better to have to do with God than with His saints. Rather have a little one for your friend than a great one for your enemy. Though my father-in-law is a good man, I do not like a dog with a. bell. A wise man does at first what a fool must do at last. Doctor Luther’s shoes do not fit every parish priest. Better a lean agreement than a fat lawsuit. He who loves sorrow will always find something to mourn over. He that is not gallant at twenty, strong at thirty, rich at forty, or experienced at fifty, will never be gal lant, strong, rich, or experienced. Nothing is lost on a journey by stopping to pray or to feed your horse The mare’s kick does not harm the colt. Who is righteous overmuch is a morsel for the Old One. There is more disputing about the shell than the kernel. The thief cannot find any tree that suits him for a gallows. The poor man seeks for food, the rich man for appetite. When it is God’s will to plague a man, a mouse can bite him to death. A father maintains ten children better than ten children one father. All gardeners know better than other gardeners. ; Go to your rich friend’s house when invited; to your poor friend’s without invitation. A little too late, much too late. “Take what you want,” quoth God, “take it and pay for it.”