The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (272 page)
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Every HERRING must hang by its own gill
Everyone is accountable for his own actions.
1609
MS
(Trinity College, Cambridge) 85
Lett every herring hang by his owne tayle.
1639
Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina
20
Every herring must hang by th'owne gill.
1670
English Proverbs
102
Every herring must hang by its own gill … Every man must give an account for himself.
1865
Facey Romford's Hounds
xxi.
One man is no more a criterion for another man than one horse is a criterion for another … Every herring must hang by its own head.
1890
Bondman
II. ii.
Adam, thinking as little of pride, said No, that every herring should hang by its own gills
1998
Times
16 June 22
You belive, like Bill Tilman who sailed leaky pilot cutters up Greenland fjords until he was 80, that ‘every herring should hang by its own tail.’
independence
1609MS
(Trinity College, Cambridge) 85
Lett every herring hang by his owne tayle.
1639
Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina
20
Every herring must hang by th'owne gill.
1670
English Proverbs
102
Every herring must hang by its own gill … Every man must give an account for himself.
1865
Facey Romford's Hounds
xxi.
One man is no more a criterion for another man than one horse is a criterion for another … Every herring must hang by its own head.
1890
Bondman
II. ii.
Adam, thinking as little of pride, said No, that every herring should hang by its own gills
1998
Times
16 June 22
You belive, like Bill Tilman who sailed leaky pilot cutters up Greenland fjords until he was 80, that ‘every herring should hang by its own tail.’
independenceHe who HESITATES is lost
Early uses of the proverb refer specifically to women.
1713
Cato
IV. i.
When love once pleads admission to our hearts .. The woman that deliberates is lost.
1865
Can You forgive Her?
II. x.
It has often been said of woman that she who doubts is lost .. never thinking whether or no there be any truth in the proverb.
1878
Western Wilds
xxi.
In Utah it is emphatically true, that he who hesitates is lost—to Mormonism.
1887
Springhaven
xlii.
Dolly hesitated, and with the proverbial result.
1920
Beyond Horizon
II. ii.
He who hesitates, you know …Don't ask me to decide for you.
1980
Daily Telegraph
2 Feb. 9
‘He who hesitates is lost’.. against Martin Hoffman, one of the fastest analysts and players in the game [of chess].
decision and indecision
1713Cato
IV. i.
When love once pleads admission to our hearts .. The woman that deliberates is lost.
1865
Can You forgive Her?
II. x.
It has often been said of woman that she who doubts is lost .. never thinking whether or no there be any truth in the proverb.
1878
Western Wilds
xxi.
In Utah it is emphatically true, that he who hesitates is lost—to Mormonism.
1887
Springhaven
xlii.
Dolly hesitated, and with the proverbial result.
1920
Beyond Horizon
II. ii.
He who hesitates, you know …Don't ask me to decide for you.
1980
Daily Telegraph
2 Feb. 9
‘He who hesitates is lost’.. against Martin Hoffman, one of the fastest analysts and players in the game [of chess].
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