The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (139 page)
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When in DOUBT, do nowt
Nowt
is a dialect form of ‘nought’ = ‘nothing’, here used for the rhyme.
1874
Uncle John
xx.
I should wait. When in doubt what to do, he is a wise man who does nothing.
1884
‘Little Folks’ Proverb Painting Book
64
Err ever on the side that's safe, And when in doubt, abstain.
1917
Cheshire Proverbs
155
When in doubt, do nowt. This shows the cautious Cheshireman at his best.
1952
Ways & Means
ii.
I don't know. I think it's one of those occasions where it's best to follow the maxim: When in doubt, don't.
1972
Confessions of Country Magistrate
vii.
‘When in doubt say nowt’ is a precept enshrined over most magistrates' courts.
1981
Assault Force
i.
What to do?..‘When in doubt, do nowt,’ had always been my grandfather's advice.
action and inaction
;
decision and indecision
is a dialect form of ‘nought’ = ‘nothing’, here used for the rhyme.
1874Uncle John
xx.
I should wait. When in doubt what to do, he is a wise man who does nothing.
1884
‘Little Folks’ Proverb Painting Book
64
Err ever on the side that's safe, And when in doubt, abstain.
1917
Cheshire Proverbs
155
When in doubt, do nowt. This shows the cautious Cheshireman at his best.
1952
Ways & Means
ii.
I don't know. I think it's one of those occasions where it's best to follow the maxim: When in doubt, don't.
1972
Confessions of Country Magistrate
vii.
‘When in doubt say nowt’ is a precept enshrined over most magistrates' courts.
1981
Assault Force
i.
What to do?..‘When in doubt, do nowt,’ had always been my grandfather's advice.
action and inaction;
decision and indecision
Whosoever DRAWS his sword against the prince must throw the scabbard away
Whoever seeks to assassinate or depose a monarch must remain constantly prepared to defend himself, and his sword will never be able to return to its scabbard.
1604
View of France
F3
V
His King, against whom when yee drawe the sword, ye must throw the scabberd into the riuer.
1659
Proverbs
(English) 17
Who draweth his sword against his Prince, must throw away the scabbard.
1962
Man on Horseback
viii.
[The Military] must still fear the results of a fall from power …‘Whoseover draws his sword against the prince must throw the scabbard away’.. pithily express[es] the logic of the situation.
hope and despair
;
rulers and ruled
1604
View of France
F3
V
His King, against whom when yee drawe the sword, ye must throw the scabberd into the riuer.
1659
Proverbs
(English) 17
Who draweth his sword against his Prince, must throw away the scabbard.
1962
Man on Horseback
viii.
[The Military] must still fear the results of a fall from power …‘Whoseover draws his sword against the prince must throw the scabbard away’.. pithily express[es] the logic of the situation.
hope and despair;
rulers and ruled
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