The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (236 page)
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A GOOD horse cannot be of a bad colour
a1628
Proverbs in Scots
no. 1621
There is gude horse of all hewis.
1653
Compleat Angler
iv.
It is observed by some, that there is no good horse of a bad colour.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 1713
Good Horses can't be of a bad Colour.
1891
Beast & Man
viii.
‘A good horse is never of a bad colour’.. is wildly irreverent from the Oriental Point of view.
1912
Spectator
28 Dec. 1094
Virgil .. did not hold that ‘a good horse cannot be of a bad colour’; he liked bays and grays.
appearance, significant;
horse lore
The only GOOD Indian is a dead Indian
Originally with reference to North American Indians; now also used deprecatorily of members of various nationalities, etc.
1868
in
Congressional Globe
(US) 28 May 2638
I have never in my life seen a good Indian (and I have seen thousands) except when I have seen a dead Indian.
1886
Ramble through United States
29
The Government... is at length earnestly endeavouring to do tardy justice to the conquered race; but it was distressing to hear again and again from American lips the remark that ‘A
good
Indian is a
dead
Indian.’
1895
People's Standard History U.S.
IV. lxxxiv.
In January, 1869,.. Old Toch-a-way .., a chief of the Comanches,.. [said]: ‘Me, Tock-a-way; me good Injun.’.. General [Sheridan] .. set those standing by in a roar by saying: ‘The only good Indians I ever saw were dead.’
1915
Salute to Adventurers
V.
Never trust an Indian. The only good kind is the dead kind.
1934
On Rocks
(Preface) 146
‘The only good nigger is a dead nigger’ say the Americans of the Ku-Klux temperament.
1935
Little House on Prairie
xvii.
She did not know why the government made treaties with Indians. The only good Indian was a dead Indian.
1980
Blood-Red Sun at Noon
II. vi.
The only good Jap is a dead Jap.
1994
Washington Times
18 Jan. A15
Unfortunately, some liberals sound as if they believe that the only good gun owner is a dead gun owner.
national characteristics
;
reputation
1868in
Congressional Globe
(US) 28 May 2638
I have never in my life seen a good Indian (and I have seen thousands) except when I have seen a dead Indian.
1886
Ramble through United States
29
The Government... is at length earnestly endeavouring to do tardy justice to the conquered race; but it was distressing to hear again and again from American lips the remark that ‘A
good
Indian is a
dead
Indian.’
1895
People's Standard History U.S.
IV. lxxxiv.
In January, 1869,.. Old Toch-a-way .., a chief of the Comanches,.. [said]: ‘Me, Tock-a-way; me good Injun.’.. General [Sheridan] .. set those standing by in a roar by saying: ‘The only good Indians I ever saw were dead.’
1915
Salute to Adventurers
V.
Never trust an Indian. The only good kind is the dead kind.
1934
On Rocks
(Preface) 146
‘The only good nigger is a dead nigger’ say the Americans of the Ku-Klux temperament.
1935
Little House on Prairie
xvii.
She did not know why the government made treaties with Indians. The only good Indian was a dead Indian.
1980
Blood-Red Sun at Noon
II. vi.
The only good Jap is a dead Jap.
1994
Washington Times
18 Jan. A15
Unfortunately, some liberals sound as if they believe that the only good gun owner is a dead gun owner.
national characteristics;
reputation
The GOOD is the enemy of the best
Also in reverse:
the BEST is the enemy of the good
.
1912
Thoughts on Things Eternal
108
Every respectable Pharisee proves the truth of the saying that ‘the good is the enemy of the best.’.. Christ insists that we shall not be content with a second-best, though it be good.
1939
Morals for Moderns
vii.
‘The good’, runs the old aphorism, ‘is the enemy of the best.’ Nowhere is this .. better exemplified than in connection with .. self-deceit.
good things
the BEST is the enemy of the good
.
1912Thoughts on Things Eternal
108
Every respectable Pharisee proves the truth of the saying that ‘the good is the enemy of the best.’.. Christ insists that we shall not be content with a second-best, though it be good.
1939
Morals for Moderns
vii.
‘The good’, runs the old aphorism, ‘is the enemy of the best.’ Nowhere is this .. better exemplified than in connection with .. self-deceit.
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