The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (110 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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What can't be CURED must be endured
Cf.
1377
LANGLAND
Piers Plowman
B. x. 439 When
must
comes forward, there is nothing for it but to
suffer
;
c
1408
LYDGATE
Reason & Sensuality
(EETS) l. 4757 For thyng that may nat be eschiwed But of force mot be sywed [followed].
1579
Shepherd's Calendar
(Sept.) 88
And cleanly couer, that cannot be cured. Such il, as is forced, mought nedes be endured.
1763
Prophecy of Famine
18
Patience is sorrow's salve; what can't be cur'd, so Donald right areeds [counsels], must be endur'd.
1870
Madam How
i.
That stupid resignation which some folks preach .. is merely saying—what can't be cured, must be endured.
1936
South Riding
VI. i.
We all have our bad turns. What can't be cured must be endured, you know.
1979
Now God be Thanked
iii.
What can't be cured must be endured .. and then I don't think he'll beat you any more.
1997
Washington Post
18 Dec. C1
‘What cannot be cured must be endured,’ the chained man says, trying to smile. But it comes out as a grimace.
patience and impatience
CURIOSITY killed the cat
1921
Diff'rent
II. 252
‘What'd you ask 'em, for instance?’..‘Curiosity killed a cat! Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.’
1939
By Shores of Silver Lake
xvi.
‘Whatever are you making, Pa?..[There was no reply.] Curiosity killed a cat, Pa.’ Tantalizing, he sat there whittling.
1973
Postern of Fate
I. iv.
‘A curiosity death,’ said Tommy. ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’
1984
Last Laugh
iii.
‘I'm curious, that's all.’ ‘Curiosity killed old tom.’
1991
Redundancy of Courage
xxvii. 371
The townspeople had learned the hard way that curiosity killed the cat—you stayed indoors if there was trouble.
curiosity

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