The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (240 page)
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While the GRASS grows, the steed starves
Dreams or expectations may be realized too late. Cf. medieval L.
dum gramen crescit
,
equus in moriendo quiescit
, while the grass grows, the horse lies dying.
c
1350
Douce MS
52 no. 20
While the grasse growes, the goode hors sterues.
a
1500
in
Reliquiæ Antiquæ
(1841) I. 208
While the grasse growes the steede starves.
1600
–
1
Hamlet
III. ii. 333
You have the voice of the King himself for your succession.—Ay, sir, but ‘While the grass grows’—the proverb is something musty.
1821
Ayrshire Legatees
x.
Until ye get a kirk there can be no marriage. But the auld horse may die waiting for the new grass.
1911
Doctor's Dilemma
III. 56
I shall sell them next year fast enough, after my one-man-show; but while the grass grows the steed starves.
1973
‘’
Appleby's Answer
ii.
‘The working capital?’ ‘Well .. while the grass grows the steed mustn't starve. Say five hundred down.’
expectation
dum gramen crescit
,
equus in moriendo quiescit
, while the grass grows, the horse lies dying.
c1350
Douce MS
52 no. 20
While the grasse growes, the goode hors sterues.
a
1500
in
Reliquiæ Antiquæ
(1841) I. 208
While the grasse growes the steede starves.
1600
–
1
Hamlet
III. ii. 333
You have the voice of the King himself for your succession.—Ay, sir, but ‘While the grass grows’—the proverb is something musty.
1821
Ayrshire Legatees
x.
Until ye get a kirk there can be no marriage. But the auld horse may die waiting for the new grass.
1911
Doctor's Dilemma
III. 56
I shall sell them next year fast enough, after my one-man-show; but while the grass grows the steed starves.
1973
‘’
Appleby's Answer
ii.
‘The working capital?’ ‘Well .. while the grass grows the steed mustn't starve. Say five hundred down.’
expectationThe GRASS is always greener on the other side of the fence
Cf. OVID
Ars Amatoria
I. 349
fertilior seges est alienis semper in agris
, the harvest is always more fruitful in another man's fields.
1959
in
Plays of Year
XIX. 13 (
title
)
The grass is greener.
1965
Which?
Mar. 91
‘The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence,’ said another informant, explaining that while stores who do practise the system are uneasy about it .. those outside constantly wonder whether results might not justify it.
1979
Homes & Gardens
June 171
Everyone else in the world believes that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but I have a wife who knows that her own patch is best.
content and discontent
Ars Amatoria
I. 349
fertilior seges est alienis semper in agris
, the harvest is always more fruitful in another man's fields.
1959in
Plays of Year
XIX. 13 (
title
)
The grass is greener.
1965
Which?
Mar. 91
‘The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence,’ said another informant, explaining that while stores who do practise the system are uneasy about it .. those outside constantly wonder whether results might not justify it.
1979
Homes & Gardens
June 171
Everyone else in the world believes that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but I have a wife who knows that her own patch is best.
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