PROVERBS.
The Man is Fire, the Woman tow, the Devil comes the flame to blow.
Choose your Wife on a Saturday, not on a Sunday.
While the tall Maid is stooping the little one hath swept the House.
He who hath a handsome Wife, or a Castle on the Frontier, or a Vineyard near the Highway, never lacks a quarrel.
He who marries a Widow, will have a dead Man’s Head often thrown in his Dish.
There’s not a pin’s point between the yes and no of a woman.
Mother, what kind of thing is this Marrying? Daughter, ’tis to spin, to bear Children, and to cry your eyes out.
The honest woman and the broken leg within doors.
Women and hens soon lost with gadding about.
He who stirs honey must have some stick to him.
In the house of the tambourinist, all dance.
No olla without bacon, no wedding without a tambourine.
A partridge frightened is half cooked.
There’s many a good drinker under a ragged cloak.
God doth the Cure, and the Doctor takes the Money.
When the Devil hies to his Prayers he means to cheat you.
Change of Weather finds Discourse for Fools.
When all Men say you are an Ass, ’tis time to bray.
A Handful of Mother-wit is worth a bushel of Learning.
A Pound of Care will not pay an ounce of Debt.
A broken head never lacked a rag.
As good bread is baked here as in France.
When loaves are lacking, cake will do.
He who sings, scares away sorrow.
The hen lives on even with the pip.
However early you get up, the day won’t break any sooner.
Short cuts, deep ruts.
Patience, and shuffle the cards.
The hare jumps out when you least expect her.
Where you hope to find rashers there are not even spits.
Opportunity is painted bald.
When the heifer’s given you, run quick with the halter.
He who is not Handsome at Twenty, nor Strong at Thirty, nor Rich at Forty, nor Wise at Fifty, will never be Handsome, Strong, Rich, nor Wise.
I wept when I was born, and every day shows why.
Buy at a Fair, and sell at home.
Let us be Friends, and put out the Devil’s eye.
Women, Wind, and Fortune are ever changing.
When going up hillFor a mule I sigh,But I like my own legsWhen I downwards hie.
When going up hillFor a mule I sigh,But I like my own legsWhen I downwards hie.
When going up hillFor a mule I sigh,But I like my own legsWhen I downwards hie.
When going up hill
For a mule I sigh,
But I like my own legs
When I downwards hie.
He who will have a Mule without any Fault must keep none.
You should not blame the pannier for the donkey’s fault.
The mule said to the donkey. Gee up, long ears.
There’s a difference between Peter and Peter.
God keep me from him whom I trust, from him whom I trust not I shall keep myself.
The foot of the Owner is the best manure for his Land.
If your dove-cote never lacks corn, you will never lack pigeons.
Lock your Door, that you may keep your Neighbour honest.
Never mention the rope in the house of a hanged man.
Finger nails come in when wedges are useless.
When the abbot sings out, the acolyte’s not far behind.
At night all cats are grey.
One devil’s like another.
He who sheared me still handles his scissors.
Once bitten by a scorpion, and frightened at its shadow.
Flies don’t enter a closed mouth.
Some have the glory, and others card the wool.
Don’t stretch your leg further than the street is long.
What you have to give to the mouse give to the cat.
Smugglers make better custom-house officers than do carbineers.
Money paid, arms soon tired.
Italy to be born in, France to live in, and Spain to die in.