PROVERBS - 1

A ---- , they say, has Wit; for what?
For writing? — No; For writing not.
A countryman between 2 Lawyers, is like a fish between two cats.
A Cure for Poetry,
Seven wealthy Towns contend for Homer, dead,
Thro’ which the living Homer beg’d his Bread.
A Father’s a Treasure; a Brother’s a Comfort; a Friend is both.
A Flatterer never seems absurd:
The Flatter’d always take his Word.
A full Belly is the Mother of all Evil.
A good Example is the best sermon.
A good Lawyer a bad Neighbour.
A good Man is seldom uneasy, an ill one never easie.
A good Wife & Health,
is a Man’s best Wealth.
A greater Quantity of some things may be eaten than of others, some being of lighter Digestion than others.
A large train makes a light Purse.
A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.
A Lie stands on 1 leg, Truth on 2.
A life of leisure, and a life of laziness, are two things.
A light purse is a heavy Curse.
A little House well fill’d, a little Field well till’d, and a little Wife well will’d, are great Riches.
A little well-gotten will do us more good,
Than lordships and scepters by Rapine and Blood.
A man is never so ridiculous by those Qualities that are his own as by those that he affects to have.
A Man of Knowledge like a rich Soil, feeds
If not a world of Corn, a world of Weeds.
A Man without ceremony has need of great merit in its place.
A Mob’s a Monster; Heads enough, but no Brains.
A modern Wit is one of David’s Fools.
A new truth is a truth, an old error is an error,
Tho’ Clodpate wont allow either.
A Penny sav’d is Twopence clear, A Pin a day is a Groat a Year. Save & have. Every little makes a mickle.
A Plowman on his Legs is higher than a Gentleman on his Knees.
A quarrelsome Man has no good Neighbours.
A quiet Conscience sleeps in Thunder,
but Rest and Guilt live far asunder.
A Ship under sail and a big-bellied Woman,
Are the handsomest two things that can be seen common.
A Slip of the Foot you may soon recover:
But a Slip of the Tongue you may never get over.
A sober Diet makes a Man die without Pain; it maintains the Senses in Vigour; it mitigates the Violence of Passions and Affections.
It preserves the Memory, it helps the Understanding, it allays the Heat of Lust; it brings a Man to a Consideration of his latter End; it makes the Body a fit Tabernacle for the Lord to dwell in; which makes us happy in this World, and eternally happy in the World to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
A soft Tongue may strike hard.
A temperate Diet arms the Body against all external Accidents; so that they are not so easily hurt by Heat, Cold or Labour; if they at any time should be prejudiced, they are more easily cured, either of Wounds, Dislocations or Bruises.
But when malignant Fevers are rife in the Country or City where thou dwelst, ’tis adviseable to eat and drink more freely, by Way of Prevention; for those are Diseases that are not caused by Repletion, and seldom attack Full-feeders.
A temperate Diet frees from Diseases; such are seldom ill, but if they are surprised with Sickness, they bear it better, and recover sooner; for most Distempers have their Original from Repletion.
A Traveller should have a hog’s nose, deer’s legs, and an ass’s back.
A true Friend is the best Possession.
A true great Man will neither trample on a Worm, nor sneak to an Emperor.
A wicked Hero will turn his back to an innocent coward.
A wolf eats sheep but now and then,
Ten Thousands are devour’d by Men.
Admiration is the Daughter of Ignorance.
After crosses and losses men grow humbler & wiser.
After Fish,
Milk do not wish.
Again, He that sells upon Credit, asks a Price for what he sells, equivalent to the Principal and Interest of his Money for the Time he is like to be kept out of it: therefore
Against Diseases here, the strongest Fence,
Is the defensive Virtue, Abstinence.
Ah simple Man! when a boy two precious jewels were given thee, Time, and good Advice; one thou hast lost, and the other thrown away.
All blood is alike ancient.
All Mankind are beholden to him that is kind to the Good.
All things are cheap to the saving, dear to the wasteful.
All things are easy to Industry,
All things difficult to Sloth.
An Egg to day is better than a Hen to-morrow.
An empty Bag cannot stand upright.
An infallible Remedy for the Tooth-ach, viz Wash the Root of an aching Tooth, in Elder Vinegar, and let it dry half an hour in the Sun; after which it will never ach more; Probatum est.
An innocent Plowman is more worthy than a vicious Prince.
An old Man in a House is a good Sign.
An old young man, will be a young old man.
An open Foe may prove a curse;
But a pretended friend is worse.
An ounce of wit that is bought,
Is worth a pound that is taught.
And a strange Kindred that all are good in’t.
And he that pays ready Money, might let that Money out to Use: so that
And so do those of contrary Complexions; for that which is too much [of Eat and Drink] for a flegmatick Man, is not sufficient for a Cholerick.
Anger and Folly walk cheek-by-jole; Repentance treads on both their Heels.
Approve not of him who commends all you say.
Are you angry that others disappoint you? remember you cannot depend upon yourself.
As Charms are nonsence, Nonsence is a Charm.
As often as we do good, we sacrifice.
As Pride increases, Fortune declines.
As sore places meet most rubs, proud folks meet most affronts.
As to his Wife, John minds St. Paul, He’s one
That hath a Wife, and is as if he’d none.
As we must account for every idle word, so we must for every idle silence.
Astrologers say,
This is a good Day,
To make Love in May.
At 20 years of age the Will reigns; at 30 the Wit; at 40 the Judgment.
At a great Pennyworth, pause a while.
At the working man’s house hunger looks in but dares not enter.
Avarice and Happiness never saw each other, how then shou’d they become acquainted.
Avoid dishonest Gain: No price;
Can recompence the Pangs of Vice.
Bad Commentators spoil the best of books,
So God sends meat (they say) the devil Cooks.
Bargaining has neither friends nor relations.
Be always asham’d to catch thy self idle.
Be neither silly, nor cunning, but wise.
Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy, counsel, & countenance.
Be not sick too late, nor well too soon.
Be slow in choosing a Friend, slower in changing.
Be temperate in wine, in eating, girls, & sloth;
Or the Gout will seize you and plague you both.
Beauty & folly are old companions.
Ben beats his Pate, and fancys wit will come;
But he may knock, there’s no body at home.
Bess brags she ’as Beauty, and can prove the same;
As how? why thus, Sir, ’tis her puppy’s name.
Best is the Tongue that feels the rein; —
He that talks much, must talk in vain;
We from the wordy Torrent fly:
Who listens to the chattering Pye?
Better is a little with content than much with contention.
Better slip with foot than tongue.
Beware of him that is slow to anger: He is angry for something, and will not be pleased for nothing.
Beware of little Expences, a small Leak will sink a great Ship.
Beware, beware! he’ll cheat ’ithout scruple, who can without fear.
Bis dat, qui cito dat. [Latin: Twice he gives, who quickly gives.]
Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads.
Blessed is he that expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
Borgen macht sorgen.
[German: Neither a borrower nor a lender be.]
Bright as the day and as the morning fair,
Such Cloe is, & common as the air.
Bucephalus the Horse of Alexand hath as lasting fame as his Master.
Buy what thou hast no need of; and e’er long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.
By diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable.
By Mrs. Bridget Saunders, my Dutchess, in Answer to the December Verses of last Year.

He that for sake of Drink neglects his Trade,
And spends each Night in Taverns till ’tis late,
And rises when the Sun is four hours high,
And ne’er regards his starving Family;
God in his Mercy may do much to save him.
But, woe to the poor Wife, whose Lot it is to have him.
Caesar did not merit the triumphal Car, more than he that conquers himself.
Came you from Court? for in your Mien,
A self-important air is seen.
Can grave and formal pass for wise,
When Men the solemn Owl despise?
Certainlie these things agree,
The Priest, the Lawyer, & Death all three:
Death takes both the weak and the strong.
The lawyer takes from both right and wrong,
And the priest from living and dead has his Fee.
Changing Countries or Beds, cures neither a bad Manager, nor a Fever.
Christianity commands us to pass by Injuries; Policy, to let them pass by us.
Clearly spoken, Mr. Fog! You explain English by Greek.
Cold & cunning come from the north:
But cunning sans wisdom is nothing worth.
Consider then, when you are tempted to buy any unnecessary Housholdstuff, or any superfluous thing, whether you will be willing to pay Interest, and Interest upon Interest for it as long as you live; and more if it grows worse by using.
Content and Riches seldom meet together,
Riches take thou, contentment I had rather.
Cornelius ought to be Tacitus.
Courage would fight, but Discretion won’t let him.
Craft must be at charge for clothes, but Truth can go naked.
Creditors have better memories than debtors.
Death takes no bribes.
Defer not thy well-doing; be not like St. George, who is always a horseback, and never rides on.
Delicate Dick! whisper’d the Proclamation.
Deny Self for Self’s sake.
Despair ruins some, Presumption many.
Dick told his spouse, he durst be bold to swear,
Whate’er she pray’d for, Heav’n would thwart her pray’r:
Indeed! says Nell, ’tis what I’m pleas’d to hear;
For now I’ll pray for your long life, my dear.
Diligence is the Mother of Good-Luck.
Dine with little, sup with less:
Do better still; sleep supperless.
Do good to thy Friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him.
Do me the Favour to deny me at once.
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Doll learning propria quae maribus [from William Lily’s text on Latin noun gender] without book,
Like Nomen crescentis genitivo [Latin: Name of the fruitful crescent] doth look.
Don’t go to the doctor with every distemper, nor to the lawyer with every quarrel, nor to the pot for every thirst.
Don’t misinform your Doctor nor your Lawyer.
Don’t overload Gratitude; if you do, she’ll kick.
Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.
Don’t throw stones at your neighbours, if your own windows are glass.
Don’t value a man for the Quality he is of, but for the Qualities he possesses.
Dost thou love Life? then do not squander Time; for that’s the Stuff Life is made of.
Drink Water, Put the Money in your Pocket, and leave the Dry-bellyach in the Punchbowl.
Drive thy Business, or it will drive thee.
Drive thy business; let not that drive thee.
E’er you remark another’s Sin,
Bid your own Conscience look within.
Each year one vicious habit rooted out,
In time might make the worst Man good throughout.
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.
Eat few Suppers, and you’ll need few Medicines.
Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.
Empty Free-booters, cover’d with Scorn:
They went out for Wealth, & come ragged and torn,
As the Ram went for Wool, and was sent back shorn.
Enjoy the present hour, be mindful of the past;
And neither fear nor wish the Approaches of the last.
Epitaph on a Scolding Wife by her Husband.
Here my poor Bridgets’s Corps doth lie,
she is at rest, — and so am I.
Ever since Follies have pleas’d, Fools have been able to divert.
Every Man has Assurance enough to boast of his honesty, few of their Understanding.
Excess in all other Things whatever, as well as in Meat and Drink, is also to be avoided.
Experience keeps a dear school, yet Fools will learn in no other.
Eyes & Priests
Bear no Jests.
Eyes and Priests
Bear no Jests.
Famine, Plague, War, and an unnumber’d throng
Of Guilt-avenging Ills, to Man belong;
Is’t not enough Plagues, Wars, and Famines rise
To lash our crimes, but must our Wives be wise?
Fear God, and your Enemies will fear you.
Fear not Death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.
Fear to do ill, and you need fear nought else.
Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.
[Latin: Blessed is he who learns caution from the perils of others.]
Felix quem, &c.
[Latin, for 'Felix quem faciunt aliena Pericula cautum,' Fortunate the man who learns caution from the perils of others.]
Fient de chien, & marc d’argent,
Seront tout un au jour du jugement.
[French: Trust of dog, and grounds of silver,
will all be one on Judgment Day]
Fine linnen, girls and gold so bright,
Chuse not to take by candle-light.
Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days.
Fly Pleasures, and they’ll follow you.
Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
Fools multiply folly.
For 6 £. a Year, you may have the Use of 100 £. if you are a Man of known Prudence and Honesty.
For one poor Man there are an hundred indigent.
Force s—s upon Reason’s Back.
Formio bewails his Sins with the same heart,
As Friends do Friends when they’re about to part.
Believe it Formio will not entertain,
One chearful Thought till they do meet again.
Forwarn’d, forearm’d, unless in the case of Cuckolds, who are often forearm’d before warn’d.
Full of courtesies, full of craft.
George came to the Crown without striking a Blow.
Ah! quoth the Pretender, would I could do so.
Gifts burst rocks.
Give me yesterday’s Bread, this Day’s Flesh, and last Year’s Cyder.
God bless the King, and grant him long to Reign.
God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.
God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.
God helps them that help themselves.
Good Sense is a Thing all need, few have, and none think they want.
Good wives and good plantations are made by good husbands.
Grace thou thy House, and let not that grace thee.
Graft good Fruit all, or graft not at all.
Great Beauty, great strength, & great Riches, are really & truly of no great Use; a right Heart exceeds all.
Great souls with gen’rous pity melt;
Which coward tyrants never felt.
Great spenders are bad lenders.
Great talkers should be cropt, for they’ve no need of ears.
Great wits jump (says the Poet) and hit his Head against the Post.
Grief for a dead Wife, & a troublesome Guest,
Continues to the threshold, and there is at rest;
But I mean such wives as are none of the best.
Had I revenged wrong, I had not worn my skirts so long.
Half-Hospitality opens his Doors and shuts up his Countenance.
Happy that nation, fortunate that age, whose history is not diverting.
Happy’s the Woing, that’s not long a doing.
Hast thou virtue? acquire also the graces & beauties of virtue.
Have you somewhat to do to-morrow; do it to-day.
He does not possess Wealth, it possesses him.
He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.
He makes a Foe who makes a jest.
He that buys by the penny, maintains not only himself, but other people.
He that buys upon Credit, pays Interest for what he buys.
He that by the Plow would thrive,
himself must either hold or drive.
He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books.
He that can have Patience, can have what he will.
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
He that can travel well afoot, keeps a good horse.
He that cannot bear with other People’s Passions, cannot govern his own.
He that cannot obey, cannot command.
He that drinks his Cyder alone, let him catch his Horse alone.
He that falls in love with himself, will have no Rivals.
He that goes far to marry, will either deceive or be deceived.
He that has neither fools, whores nor beggars among his kindred, is the son of a thunder-gust.
He that has not got a Wife, is not yet a compleat Man.
He that hath a Trade, hath an Estate.
He that idly loses 5 s. worth of time, loses 5 s. & might as prudently throw 5 s. in the River.
He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly need not be rich.
He that knows nothing of it, may by chance be a Prophet; while the wisest that is may happen to miss.
He that lives upon Hope, dies farting.
He that lives well, is learned enough.
He that loses 5 s. not only loses that Sum, but all the Advantage that might be made by turning it in Dealing, which by the time that a young Man becomes old, amounts to a comfortable Bag of Mony.
He that pays for Work before it’s done, has but a pennyworth for twopence.
He that pays ready Money, escapes or may escape that Charge.
He that possesses any Thing he has bought, pays Interest for the Use of it.
He that pursues two Hares at once, does not catch one and lets t’other go.
He that resolves to mend hereafter, resolves not to mend now.
He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night.
He that scatters Thorns, let him not go barefoot.
He that sells upon Credit, expects to lose 5 per Cent. by bad Debts; therefore he charges, on all he sells upon Credit, an Advance that shall make up that Deficiency.
He that sells upon trust, loses many friends, and always wants money.
He that sows thorns, should not go barefoot.
He that speaks ill of the Mare, will buy her.
He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
He that spends a Groat a day idly, spends idly above 6 £. a year, which is the Price of using 100 £.
He that steals the old man’s supper, do’s him no wrong.
He that takes a wife, takes care.
He that waits upon Fortune, is never sure of a Dinner.
He that wastes idly a Groat’s worth of his Time per Day, one Day with another, wastes the Privilege of using 100 £. each Day.
He that whines for Glass without G
Take away L and that’s he.
He that won’t be counsell’d, can’t be help’d.
He that would have a short Lent, let him borrow Money to be repaid at Easter.
He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees.
He who buys had need have 100 Eyes,
but one’s enough for him that sells the Stuff.
He who multiplies Riches multiplies Cares.
He’s a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom.
Hear no ill of a Friend, nor speak any of an Enemy.
Hear Reason, or she’ll make you feel her.
Hear what Jack Spaniard says,
Con todo el Mundo Guerra,
Y Paz con Ingalatierra.
[Spanish: However the World is at War,
be at Peace with Foreigners.]
Heb Dduw heb ddim, a Duw a digon. [Welsh: Without God, without anything; with God, with enough.]
Help, Hands;
For I have no Lands.
Here comes Courage! that seiz’d the lion absent, and run away from the present mouse.
Here comes Glib-tongue: who can out-flatter a Dedication; and lie, like ten Epitaphs.
Here comes the Orator! with his Flood of Words, and his Drop of Reason.
Historians relate, not so much what is done, as what they would have believed.
Honest Tom! you may trust him with a house-full of untold Milstones.
Honour thy Father and Mother, i.e. Live so as to be an Honour to them tho’ they are dead.
Honours change Manners.
Hope and a Red-Rag, are Baits for Men and Mackrel.
Hope of gain
Lessens pain.
Hot things, sharp things, sweet things, cold things
All rot the teeth, and make them look like old things.
How few there are who have courage enough to own their Faults, or resolution enough to mend them!
How many observe Christ’s Birth-day! How few, his Precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.
Humility makes great men twice honourable.