FOOTNOTES:

"In time of prosperity friends will be plenty;In time of adversity not one in twenty."

"In time of prosperity friends will be plenty;

In time of adversity not one in twenty."

No longer foster, no longer friend.Help yourself, and your friends will like you.

No longer foster, no longer friend.

Help yourself, and your friends will like you.

"Give out that you have many friends, and believe that you have few" (French).[198]By that means you will not expose yourself to be bitterly disappointed, and you will secure the favours which the world is ready to bestow on those who seem to have least need of them.

A friend at court is better than a penny in the purse.Kissing goes by favour.

A friend at court is better than a penny in the purse.

Kissing goes by favour.

Every one makes it his business to "Take care of Dowb." "They are rich," therefore, "who have friends" (Portuguese, Latin).[199]"It is better to have friends on the market than money in one's coffer" (Spanish).[200]"Every one dances as he has friends in the ball-room" (Portuguese).[201]"There's no living without friends" (Portuguese).[202]

FOOTNOTES:[180]Obras son amores, que no buenas razones.[181]Se bien me quieres, Juan, tus obras me lo diran.[182]Les petits cadeaux entretiennent l'amitié.[183]Geflickte Freundschaft wird selten wieder ganz.[184]Amigo quebrado soldado, mas nunca sano.[185]Amigo reconciliado, amigo doblado.[186]De amigo reconciliado, guarte del como del diablo. Cum inimico nemo in gratiam tuto redit.—Pub. Syrus.[187]Pesce, oglio, e amico vecchio.[188]Die beste Freunde stecken im Beutel.[189]Abbiamo pur fiorini, che trovaremo cugini.[190]Riché homé non sap qui ly es amyg.[191]Quien te todos es amigo, ó es muy pobre, ó es muy rico.[192]Ahora que tengo oveja y borrego, todos me dicen: En hora buena estais, Pedro.[193]Chi vuol aver amici assai, ne provi pochi.[194]Chi è misero e senza denari, provi tutti, e poi l'amico.[195]Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.[196]El pan comido, la compañia deshecha.[197]Siedet der Topf, so blühet die Freundschaft.[198]Il faut se dire beaucoup d'amis, et s'en croire peu.[199]Aquellos saō ricos que tem amigos. Ubi amici, ibi opes.[200]Mas valen amigos en la plaça que dineros en el arca.[201]Cada hum dança como tem os amigos na sala.[202]Naō se pode viver sem amigos.

[180]Obras son amores, que no buenas razones.

[181]Se bien me quieres, Juan, tus obras me lo diran.

[182]Les petits cadeaux entretiennent l'amitié.

[183]Geflickte Freundschaft wird selten wieder ganz.

[184]Amigo quebrado soldado, mas nunca sano.

[185]Amigo reconciliado, amigo doblado.

[186]De amigo reconciliado, guarte del como del diablo. Cum inimico nemo in gratiam tuto redit.—Pub. Syrus.

[187]Pesce, oglio, e amico vecchio.

[188]Die beste Freunde stecken im Beutel.

[189]Abbiamo pur fiorini, che trovaremo cugini.

[190]Riché homé non sap qui ly es amyg.

[191]Quien te todos es amigo, ó es muy pobre, ó es muy rico.

[192]Ahora que tengo oveja y borrego, todos me dicen: En hora buena estais, Pedro.

[193]Chi vuol aver amici assai, ne provi pochi.

[194]Chi è misero e senza denari, provi tutti, e poi l'amico.

[195]Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.

[196]El pan comido, la compañia deshecha.

[197]Siedet der Topf, so blühet die Freundschaft.

[198]Il faut se dire beaucoup d'amis, et s'en croire peu.

[199]Aquellos saō ricos que tem amigos. Ubi amici, ibi opes.

[200]Mas valen amigos en la plaça que dineros en el arca.

[201]Cada hum dança como tem os amigos na sala.

[202]Naō se pode viver sem amigos.

One beats the bush and another catches the birds.

Sic vos non vobis.The proverb is derived from an old way of fowling by torchlight in the winter nights. A man walks along a lane, carrying a bush smeared with birdlime and a lighted torch. He is preceded by another, who beats the hedges on both sides and starts the birds, which, flying towards the light, are caught by the limed twigs. An imprudent use of this proverb by the Duke of Bedford, regent of France during the minority of our Henry VI., has given it historical celebrity. When the English were besieging Orleans, the Duke of Burgundy, their ally, intimated his desire that the town, when taken, should be given over to him. The regent replied, "Shall I beat the bush and another take the bird? No such thing." These words so offended the duke that he deserted the English at a time when they had the greatest need of his help to resist the efforts of Charles VII.

Here the proverb was used to imply an unfair division of spoil, or what was called, in the duchy of Bretagne, "A Montgomery distribution—all on one side,and nothing on the other."[203](The powerful family of Montgomery were in the habit of taking the lion's share.) It may also be applied to the manner in which confederates play into each other's hands. "The dog that starts the hare is as good as the one that catches it" (German).[204]

The receiver is as bad as the thief.

"He sins as much who holds the sack as he who puts into it" (French).[205]"He who holds the ladder is as bad as the burglar" (German).[206]

Lie for him and he'll swear for you.Speir at Jock Thief if I be a leal man.—Scotch.

Lie for him and he'll swear for you.

Speir at Jock Thief if I be a leal man.—Scotch.

"Ask my comrade, who is as great a liar as myself" (French).[207]

The lion had need of the mouse.

The grateful mouse in the fable rescued her benefactor from the toils by gnawing the cords. "Soon or late the strong needs the help of the weak" (French).[208]"Every ten years one man has need of another" (Italian).[209]

Two to one are odds at football.

"Not Hercules himself could resist such odds" (Latin).[210]"Three helping each other are as good as six" (Spanish).[211]"Three brothers, three castles" (Italian).[212]"Three, if they unite against a town, will ruin it" (Arab).

When two ride the same horse one must ride behind.

And, furthermore, he must be content to journey as the foremost man pleases. "He who rides behind does not saddle when he will" (Spanish).[213]The question of precedence is settled in this case by another English proverb:—

He that hires the horse must ride before.

The man who hires or owns the horse is Capital, and Labour must ride behind him. In other cases the question will often have to be decided by force.

You stout and I stout, who shall carry the dirt out?

"You a lady, I a lady, who is to drive out the sow?" (Gallegan).[214]

Tarry breeks pays no fraught.—Scotch.Pipers don't pay fiddlers.

Tarry breeks pays no fraught.—Scotch.

Pipers don't pay fiddlers.

"One barber shaves another" (French).[215]"One hand washes the other" (Greek).[216]"One ass scratches another" (Latin).[217]

Ka me, ka thee.—Scotch.Turn about is fair play.Giff-gaff is good fellowship.Like master like man.

Ka me, ka thee.—Scotch.

Turn about is fair play.

Giff-gaff is good fellowship.

Like master like man.

"The beadle of the parish is always of the opinion of his reverence the vicar" (French).[218]

FOOTNOTES:[203]Partage de Montgomery—tout d'un coté, rien de l'autre; like "Irish reciprocity, all on one side."[204]Der Hund, der den Hasen ausspürt, ist so gut wie der ihn fängt.[205]Autant pèche celui qui tient le sac que celui qui met dedans.[206]Wer die Leiter hält, ist so schuldig wie der Dieb.[207]Demandez-le à mon compagnon, qui est aussi menteur que moi.[208]Ou tôt ou tard, ou près ou loin,Le fort du faible a besoin.[209]Ogni dieci anni un uomo ha bisogno dell' altro.[210]Ne Hercules contra duos.[211]Ayudándose tres, para peso de seis.[212]Tre fratelli, tre castelli.[213]Quien tras otro cabalga, no ensella quando quiere.[214]Vos dona, yo dona, quen botará a porca foro?[215]Un barbier rase l'autre.[216]Χειρ χειρα νιπτει.[217]Asinus asinum fricat.[218]Le bedeau de la paroisse est toujours de l'avis de monsieur le curé.

[203]Partage de Montgomery—tout d'un coté, rien de l'autre; like "Irish reciprocity, all on one side."

[204]Der Hund, der den Hasen ausspürt, ist so gut wie der ihn fängt.

[205]Autant pèche celui qui tient le sac que celui qui met dedans.

[206]Wer die Leiter hält, ist so schuldig wie der Dieb.

[207]Demandez-le à mon compagnon, qui est aussi menteur que moi.

[208]Ou tôt ou tard, ou près ou loin,Le fort du faible a besoin.

[208]

Ou tôt ou tard, ou près ou loin,Le fort du faible a besoin.

Ou tôt ou tard, ou près ou loin,

Le fort du faible a besoin.

[209]Ogni dieci anni un uomo ha bisogno dell' altro.

[210]Ne Hercules contra duos.

[211]Ayudándose tres, para peso de seis.

[212]Tre fratelli, tre castelli.

[213]Quien tras otro cabalga, no ensella quando quiere.

[214]Vos dona, yo dona, quen botará a porca foro?

[215]Un barbier rase l'autre.

[216]Χειρ χειρα νιπτει.

[217]Asinus asinum fricat.

[218]Le bedeau de la paroisse est toujours de l'avis de monsieur le curé.

Luck is all.

A desperate doctrine, based on that one-sided view of human affairs which is expressed in Byron's parody of a famous passage in Addison'sCato:—

"'Tis not in mortals to command success;But do you more, Sempronius—don'tdeserve it;And take my word you'll have no jot the less."

"'Tis not in mortals to command success;

But do you more, Sempronius—don'tdeserve it;

And take my word you'll have no jot the less."

"The worst pig gets the best acorn" (Spanish).[219]"A good bone never falls to a good dog" (French);[220]and "The horses eat oats that don't earn them" (German).[221]But this last proverb has also another application. "Other rules may vary," says Sydney Smith, "but this is the only one you will find without exception—that in this world the salary or reward is always in the inverse ratio of the duties performed."

The more rogue the more luck.The devil's children have the devil's luck.

The more rogue the more luck.

The devil's children have the devil's luck.

But their prosperity is false and fleeting. "The devil's meal runs half to bran" (French).[222]

God sends fools fortune.

It is to this version of the Latin adage,Fortuna favet fatuis("Fortune favours fools"), thatTouchstonealludes in his reply toJacques:—

"'No, sir,' quoth he;'Call me not fool till Heaven hath sent me fortune.'"

"'No, sir,' quoth he;

'Call me not fool till Heaven hath sent me fortune.'"

The Spaniards express this popular belief by a striking figure: "The mother of God appears to fools."[223]The Germans say, "Fortune and women are fond of fools;"[224]and the converse of this holds good likewise, since "Fortune makes a fool of him whom she too much favours" (Latin);[225]and so do women sometimes. When we consider how much what is called success in life depends on getting into one of "the main grooves of human affairs," we can account for the common remark that blockheads thrive better in the world than clever people, and that "Jack gets on by his stupidity" (German).[226]It is all the difference of going by railwayand walking over a ploughed field, whether you adopt common courses or set up one for yourself"—which is most likely to be done by people of superior abilities. "You will see * * * * most inferior persons highly placed in the army, in the church, in office, at the bar. They have somehow got upon the line, and have moved on well, with very little original motive powers of their own. Do not let this make you talk as if merit were utterly neglected in these or other professions—only that getting well into the groove will frequently do instead of any great excellence."[227]With this explanation we are prepared to admit that there is some reason in the Spanish adage, "God send you luck, my son, and little wit will serve your turn."[228]

It is better to be lucky than wise.It is better to be born lucky than rich.Hap and ha'penny is warld's gear eneuch.—Scotch.

It is better to be lucky than wise.

It is better to be born lucky than rich.

Hap and ha'penny is warld's gear eneuch.—Scotch.

"The lucky man's bitch litters pigs" (Spanish).[229]

Happy go lucky.The happy [lucky] man canna be harried.—Scotch.

Happy go lucky.

The happy [lucky] man canna be harried.—Scotch.

The lucky man cannot be ruined. Seeming disasters will often prove to be signal strokes of good fortune for him. Such a man will have cause to say, "Theox that tossed me threw me upon a good place" (Spanish).[230]

He is like a cat, he always falls on his feet.Cast ye owre the house riggen, and ye'll fa' on your feet.—Scotch.Give a man luck, and throw him into the sea.

He is like a cat, he always falls on his feet.

Cast ye owre the house riggen, and ye'll fa' on your feet.—Scotch.

Give a man luck, and throw him into the sea.

"Pitch him into the Nile," say the Arabs, "and he will come up with a fish in his mouth;" and the Germans, "If he threw up a penny on the roof, down would come a dollar to him."[231]

What is worse than ill luck?An unhappy man's cart is eith to tumble.—Scotch.

What is worse than ill luck?

An unhappy man's cart is eith to tumble.—Scotch.

That is, easily upset. It happens always to some people, as Coleridge said of himself, to have their bread and butter fall on the buttered side. An Irishman of this ill-starred class is commonly supposed to have been the author of the saying,—

He that is born under a threepenny planet will never be worth a groat.If my father had made me a hatter men would have been born without heads.

He that is born under a threepenny planet will never be worth a groat.

If my father had made me a hatter men would have been born without heads.

But the thought is not original in our language: an unlucky Arab had long ago declared, "If I were to trade in winding-sheets no one would die." A man of this stamp "Falls on his back and breaks his nose"(French).[232]The Basques say of him, "Maggots breed in his salt-box;" the Provençals, "He would sink a ship freighted with crucifixes;" the Italians, "He would break his neck upon a straw."[233]

Misfortunes seldom come single.Misfortunes come by forties.—Welsh.Ill comes upon waur's back.—Scotch.

Misfortunes seldom come single.

Misfortunes come by forties.—Welsh.

Ill comes upon waur's back.—Scotch.

"Fortune is not content with crossing any man once," says Publius Syrus.[234]"After losing, one loses roundly," say the French.[235]The Spaniards have three remarkable proverbs to express the same conviction:—"Whither goest thou, Misfortune? To where there is more."[236]"Whither goest thou, Sorrow? Whither I am wont."[237]"Welcome, Misfortune, if thou comest alone."[238]The Italian equivalents are numerous:e.g., "One ill calls another."[239]"One misfortune is the eve of another."[240]"A misfortune and a friar are seldom alone."[241]

It can't rain but it pours.

Good fortune, as well as bad, is said to come in floods. "If the wind blows it enters at every crevice" (Arab).

It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

There is a local version of this proverb:—

It is an ill wind that blows no good to Cornwall.

On the rock-bound coasts of that shire almost any wind brought gain to the wreckers. We have seen it somewhere alleged that the general proverb grew out of the local one; but this is certainly not the fact, for the former exists in other languages. Its Italian equivalent[242]agrees closely with it in form as well as in spirit. The French say, "Misfortune is good for something;"[243]the Spaniards, "There is no ill but comes for good;"[244]and, "I broke my leg, perhaps for my good."[245]

Our worst misfortunes are those that never befall us.

"Never give way to melancholy: nothing encroaches more. I fight vigorously. One great remedy is to take short views of life. Are you happy now? Are you likely to remain so till this evening? or next week? or next month? or next year? Then whydestroy present happiness by a distant misery which may never come at all, or you may never live to see? For every substantial grief has twenty shadows, and most of them shadows of your own making."—Sydney Smith.

Ye're fleyed [frightened] o' the day ye ne'er saw.—Scotch.You cry out before you are hurt.Never yowl till you're hit.—Ulster.Let your trouble tarry till its own day comes.Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

Ye're fleyed [frightened] o' the day ye ne'er saw.—Scotch.

You cry out before you are hurt.

Never yowl till you're hit.—Ulster.

Let your trouble tarry till its own day comes.

Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

In French, "À chaque jour suffit sa peine," words which were frequently in Napoleon's mouth at St. Helena. An Eastern proverb says, "He is miserable once who feels it, but twice who fears it before it comes."

When bale is highest, boot is nighest.

"Bale" is obsolete as a substantive, but retains a place in current English as the root of the adjective "baleful." The proverb means that

When the night's darkest the day's nearest.The darkest hour is that before dawn.When things come to the worst they'll mend.

When the night's darkest the day's nearest.

The darkest hour is that before dawn.

When things come to the worst they'll mend.

They must change, for that is the law of nature, and any change in them must be for the better. Thus, "By dint of going wrong all will come right" (French).[246]"Ill is the eve of well" (Italian);[247]and "It is at the narrowest part of the defile that the valley begins to open" (Persian). "When the tale of bricks is doubled Moses comes" (Hebrew).

He that's down, down with him.

Such is the way of the world—"the oppressed oppressing." "Him that falls all the world run over" (German).[248]"He that has ill luck gets ill usage" (Old French).[249]"All bite the bitten dog" (Portuguese).[250]"When a dog is drowning everybody brings him drink" (French).[251]

Knock a man down, and kick him for falling.

A sort of treatment like what they call in France "The custom of Lorris: the beaten pay the fine."[252]It was enacted by the charter of Lorris in the Orléanais, conferred by Philip the Fair, that any man claiming to have money due to him from another, but unable to produce proof of the debt, might challenge the alleged debtor to a judicial combat with fists. The beaten combatant had judgment given against him, which always included a fine to the lord of the manor.

The puir man is aye put to the warst.—Scotch.

"The ill-clad to windward" (French).[253]

The weakest goes to the wall,

which is the worst place in a crowd and a crush. Also,

Where the dyke is lowest men go over.

"Where the dam is lowest the water first runs over" (Dutch).[254]People overrun and oppress those who are least able to resist.

When the tree falls every man goes with his hatchet.

"When the tree is down everybody gathers wood" (Latin).[255]"If my beard is burnt, others try to light their pipes at it" (Turkish).

Where the carcass is, the eagles will be gathered together.

"'We are, then, irremediably ruined, Mr. Oldbuck?' (The speaker is Miss Wardour, in the 'Antiquary.')

"'Irremediably? I hope not; but the instant demand is very large, and others will doubtless pour in.'

"'Ay, never doubt that, Monkbarns,' said Sir Arthur; 'where the slaughter is, the eagles will be gathered together. I am like a sheep which I have seen fall down a precipice, or drop down from sickness:if you had not seen a single raven or hooded crow for a fortnight before, he will not be on the heather ten minutes before half a dozen will be pecking out his eyes (and he drew his hand over his own), and tearing out his heart-strings before the poor devil has time to die.'"

Put your finger in the fire and say it was your fortune.—Scotch.

Blame yourself only for the consequences of your own folly. Edgar, inLear, says, "This is the excellent foppery of the world! That when we are sick in fortune we make guilty of our disasters, the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by a forced obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion!"

FOOTNOTES:[219]Al mas ruin puerco la mejor bellota.[220]À un bon chien n'échet jamais un bon os.[221]Die Rosse fressen den Haber die ihn nicht verdienen.[222]La farine du diable s'en va moitié en son.[223]A los bobos se les aparece la madre de Dios.[224]Glück und Weiber haben die Narren lieb.[225]Fortuna nimium quem favet stultum facit.[226]Hans kommt durch seine Dummheit fort.[227]"Companions of my Solitude."[228]Ventura te dé Dios, hijo, que poco saber te basta.[229]A quien Dios quiere bien, la perra le pare lechones.[230]El buey que me acornó, en buen lugar me echó.[231]Würf er einen Groschen aufs Dach, fiel ihm ein Thaler herunter.[232]Il tombe sur le dos, et se casse le nez.[233]Si romperebbe il collo in un filo de paglia.[234]Fortuna obesse nulli contenta est semel.[235]Après perdre, perd-on bien.[236]Adonde vas, mal? Adonde mas hay.[237]Ado vas, duelo? Ado suelo.[238]Bien vengas, mal, si vienes solo.[239]Un mal chiama l'otro.[240]Un mal è la vigilia dell' altro.[241]Un male e un frate di rado soli.[242]Cattivo è quel vento che a nessuno è prospero.[243]À quelque chose malheur est bon.[244]No hay mal que por bien no venga.[245]Quebreme el pie, quiza por bien.[246]À force de mal aller tout ira bien.[247]Il male è la vigilia del bene.[248]Wer da fällt, über ihm laufen alle Welt.[249]À qui il meschet, on lui meffaict.[250]Ao caõ mordido, todos o mordem.[251]Quand le chien se noye, tout le monde lui porte à boire.[252]Coutume de Lorrie: les battus payent l'amende.[253]Les mal vêtus devers le vent.[254]Waar de dam het langst is, loopt het water het eerst over.[255]Arbore dejectâ quivis colligit ligna.

[219]Al mas ruin puerco la mejor bellota.

[220]À un bon chien n'échet jamais un bon os.

[221]Die Rosse fressen den Haber die ihn nicht verdienen.

[222]La farine du diable s'en va moitié en son.

[223]A los bobos se les aparece la madre de Dios.

[224]Glück und Weiber haben die Narren lieb.

[225]Fortuna nimium quem favet stultum facit.

[226]Hans kommt durch seine Dummheit fort.

[227]"Companions of my Solitude."

[228]Ventura te dé Dios, hijo, que poco saber te basta.

[229]A quien Dios quiere bien, la perra le pare lechones.

[230]El buey que me acornó, en buen lugar me echó.

[231]Würf er einen Groschen aufs Dach, fiel ihm ein Thaler herunter.

[232]Il tombe sur le dos, et se casse le nez.

[233]Si romperebbe il collo in un filo de paglia.

[234]Fortuna obesse nulli contenta est semel.

[235]Après perdre, perd-on bien.

[236]Adonde vas, mal? Adonde mas hay.

[237]Ado vas, duelo? Ado suelo.

[238]Bien vengas, mal, si vienes solo.

[239]Un mal chiama l'otro.

[240]Un mal è la vigilia dell' altro.

[241]Un male e un frate di rado soli.

[242]Cattivo è quel vento che a nessuno è prospero.

[243]À quelque chose malheur est bon.

[244]No hay mal que por bien no venga.

[245]Quebreme el pie, quiza por bien.

[246]À force de mal aller tout ira bien.

[247]Il male è la vigilia del bene.

[248]Wer da fällt, über ihm laufen alle Welt.

[249]À qui il meschet, on lui meffaict.

[250]Ao caõ mordido, todos o mordem.

[251]Quand le chien se noye, tout le monde lui porte à boire.

[252]Coutume de Lorrie: les battus payent l'amende.

[253]Les mal vêtus devers le vent.

[254]Waar de dam het langst is, loopt het water het eerst over.

[255]Arbore dejectâ quivis colligit ligna.

Look before you leap.Don't buy a pig in a poke.

Look before you leap.

Don't buy a pig in a poke.

A poke is a pouch or bag. This word, which is still current in the northern counties of England, corresponds to the Frenchpoche, as "pocket" does to the diminutive,pochette.Bougeandbougetteare other forms of the same word; and from these we get "budget," which, curiously enough, has gone back from us to its original owners with a newly-acquired meaning, for the French Minister of Finance presents his annual Budget like our own Chancellor of the Exchequer. The French say,Acheter chat en poche: "To buy a cat in a poke," or game bag; and the meaning of that proverb is explained by this other one, "To buy a cat for a hare."[256]So also the Dutch,[257]the Italian,[258]&c. The pig of the English proverb is chosen for the sake of the alliteration at some sacrifice of sense.

No safe wading in unknown waters.

Therefore, "Swim on, and trust them not" (French).[259]"Who sees not the bottom, let him not pass the water" (Italian).[260]

Beware of had I wist."Had I wist," quoth the fool.

Beware of had I wist.

"Had I wist," quoth the fool.

"It is the part of a fool to say, 'I should not have thought it'" (Latin).[261]

Stretch your arm no farther than your sleeve will reach.Never put out your arm further than you can easily draw it back again.

Stretch your arm no farther than your sleeve will reach.

Never put out your arm further than you can easily draw it back again.

Cautious Nicol Jarvie attributes to neglect of this rule the commercial difficulties of his correspondent, Mr. Osbaldistone, "a gude honest gentleman; but I aye said he was ane of them wad make a spune or spoil a horn." Perhaps it is to ridicule the folly of attempting things beyond the reach of our powers that the Germans tell us, "Asses sing badly because they pitch their voices too high."[262]

Measure twice, cut but once.

An irrevocable set should be well considered beforehand. Dean Trench quotes this as a Russian proverb,but it is to be found in James Kelly's Scottish collection, and is common to many European languages.

Second thoughts are best.

Therefore it is well to "take counsel of one's pillow." "The morning is wiser than the evening" (Russian), sometimes because—in Russia especially—the evening is drunk and the morning is sober, but generally because the night affords time for reflection. "The night brings counsel" (French, Latin, German).[263]"Night is the mother of thoughts" (Italian).[264]"Sleep upon it, and you will take counsel" (Spanish).[265]

Raise nae mair deils than ye can lay.—Scotch.Do not rip up old sores.

Raise nae mair deils than ye can lay.—Scotch.

Do not rip up old sores.

"Nor stir up an evil that has been fairly buried" (Latin).[266]

Don't wake a sleeping dog.

"When misfortune sleeps let no one wake her" (Spanish).[267]

To lock the stable door when the steed is stolen.

"The wise Italians," says Poor Richard [Benjamin Franklin], "make this proverbial remark on our nation—'The English feel, but they do not see;' that is, they are sensible of inconveniences when they are present, but do not take sufficient care to prevent them; their natural courage makes them too little apprehensive of danger, so that they are often surprised by it unprovided with the proper means of security. When it is too late they are sensible of their imprudence. After great fires they provide buckets and engines; after a pestilence they think of keeping clean their streets and common sewers; and when a town has been sacked by their enemies they provide for its defence," &c. Other nations have their share of this after-wisdom, as their proverbs testify:e.g., "To cover the well when the child is drowned" (German).[268]"To stop the hole when the mischief is done" (Spanish).[269]"When the head is broken the helmet is put on" (Italian).[270]The Chinese give this good advice: "Dig a well before you are thirsty." Be prepared for contingencies.

Be bail and pay for it.Afttimes the cautioner pays the debt.—Scotch.

Be bail and pay for it.

Afttimes the cautioner pays the debt.—Scotch.

"He that becomes responsible pays" (French).[271]"Whoso would know what he is worth let him never be a surety" (Italian).[272]

In trust is treason.

"In this world," said Lord Halifax, "men must be saved by their want of faith." "He will never prosper who readily believes" (Latin).[273]"Trust was a good man; Trust not was a better" (Italian).[274]

He should hae a lang-shafted spune that sups kail wi' the deil.—Scotch.A fidging [skittish] mare should be weel girthed.—Scottish.

He should hae a lang-shafted spune that sups kail wi' the deil.—Scotch.

A fidging [skittish] mare should be weel girthed.—Scottish.

A cunning, tricky fellow should be dealt with very cautiously. "A thief does not always thieve, but be always on your guard against him" (Russian).

Fast bind, fast find.

Shylock adds, "A proverb never stale to thrifty mind." "Who ties well, unties well" (Spanish).[275]"Better is a turn of the key than a friar's conscience" (Spanish).[276]

Grin when ye bind, and laugh when ye loose.—Scotch.

Tie the knot tightly, grin with the effort of pulling, and when you come to untie it you will smile with satisfaction, finding it has kept all safe.

Quoth the young cock, "I'll neither meddle nor make."

He had seen the old cock's neck wrung for taking part with his master, and the hen's for taking part with his dame.

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