The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (170 page)
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EXAMPLE is better than precept
1400Festial
(EETS) 216
Then saythe Seynt Austeyn [Augustine] that an ensampull yn doyng ys mor commendabull then ys techyng other [or] prechyng.
a
1568
Schoolmaster
(1570) I. 20
One example, is more valiable .. than xx. preceptes written in bookes.
1708
Literary Works
(1971) I. 535
Example draws where Precept fails, And Sermons are less read than Tales.
1828
Mansie Wauch
xix.
Example is better than precept, as James Batter observes.
1894
Use of Life
xix.
Men can be more easily led than driven: example is better than precept.
1930
Chalet Girls in Camp
V.
Example is better than precept, my child. Likewise, practise what you preach.
1981
Xanadu Talisman
ii.
Example is always better than precept, remember.
example, good and bad;
words and deeds
The EXCEPTION proves the rule
‘The very fact of an exception proves there must be a rule’ (Brewer); now frequently misunderstood and used to justify inconsistency. Cf. L.
exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis
, the exception confirms the rule in cases not excepted.
1640
Bacon's Advancement of Learning
VIII iii.
Exception strengthens the force of a Law in Cases not excepted.
1664
Cheats
A2
V
I think I have sufficiently justifi'd the Brave man, even by this Reason, That the Exception proves the Rule.
1765
Shakespeare
Preface C2
V
There are a few passages which may pass for imitations, but so few that the exception only confirms the rule.
1863
in
Cornhill Mag.
Dec. VIII. 727
As for the
dictum
about Temple Bar, why, the case of Poddle and Shaddery might be one of those very exceptions whose existence is necessary to the proof of every general rule.
1907
Si Mihi
80
It is one of those cryptic sayings, like ‘The exception proves the rule’, which always puzzle me.
1979
Daily Telegraph
9 Mar. 15
The better the play, the worse the film. This rule I find to prevail, with the occasional exception ‘to prove it.’
rules, general
exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis
, the exception confirms the rule in cases not excepted.
1640Bacon's Advancement of Learning
VIII iii.
Exception strengthens the force of a Law in Cases not excepted.
1664
Cheats
A2
V
I think I have sufficiently justifi'd the Brave man, even by this Reason, That the Exception proves the Rule.
1765
Shakespeare
Preface C2
V
There are a few passages which may pass for imitations, but so few that the exception only confirms the rule.
1863
in
Cornhill Mag.
Dec. VIII. 727
As for the
dictum
about Temple Bar, why, the case of Poddle and Shaddery might be one of those very exceptions whose existence is necessary to the proof of every general rule.
1907
Si Mihi
80
It is one of those cryptic sayings, like ‘The exception proves the rule’, which always puzzle me.
1979
Daily Telegraph
9 Mar. 15
The better the play, the worse the film. This rule I find to prevail, with the occasional exception ‘to prove it.’
rules, generalThere is an EXCEPTION to every rule
See also
the preceding entry and RULES
are made to be broken
.
1579
News from North
D1
V
There is no rule so generall, that it admitteth not exception, albeit I dout not .. that honors chaunge maners.
1608
Rape of Lucrece
V. 169
A general concourse of wise men …Tarquin, if the general rule have no exceptions, thou wilt have an empty consistory [council chamber].
1773
Spiritual Quixote
III. ix. xviii.
The rules of Grammer cannot, in any language, be reduced to a strict analogy; but all general rules have some exceptions.
1836
Midshipman Easy
I xii.
I have little reason to speak in its favour .. but there must be exceptions in every rule.
1932
Secret Lives
viii.
There are exceptions to every rule. To-day I am forced to break the rule that generally guides me.
1981
Listener
21 May 683
‘There is still something awe-inspiring about a duke,’ we are informed. Only those who share such values will want to read Heirs and Graces. Even they should remember that there is an exception to every rule.
rules, general
the preceding entry and RULES
are made to be broken
.
1579News from North
D1
V
There is no rule so generall, that it admitteth not exception, albeit I dout not .. that honors chaunge maners.
1608
Rape of Lucrece
V. 169
A general concourse of wise men …Tarquin, if the general rule have no exceptions, thou wilt have an empty consistory [council chamber].
1773
Spiritual Quixote
III. ix. xviii.
The rules of Grammer cannot, in any language, be reduced to a strict analogy; but all general rules have some exceptions.
1836
Midshipman Easy
I xii.
I have little reason to speak in its favour .. but there must be exceptions in every rule.
1932
Secret Lives
viii.
There are exceptions to every rule. To-day I am forced to break the rule that generally guides me.
1981
Listener
21 May 683
‘There is still something awe-inspiring about a duke,’ we are informed. Only those who share such values will want to read Heirs and Graces. Even they should remember that there is an exception to every rule.
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