The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (305 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
3.94Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
To KNOW all is to forgive all
Cf.
1807
MME DE STAËL
Corinne
III. XVIII. V.
tout comprendre rend trés-indulgent
; also
1908
E. TERRY
Story of my Life
116 I had taken a course for which all blamed me, perhaps because they did not know enough to pardon enough—
savoir tout c'est tout pardonner
.
1952
Silken Cord
xv.
After all, to know all is to forgive all, as my poor dear father used to say.
1974
Most Deadly Hate
xviii. ‘
They say to know all is to forgive all,’ Piper said. ‘Except the killing of Arthur Harlow.’
forgiveness
;
tolerance
You should KNOW a man seven years before you stir his fire
1803
Professional Life
I. p. xi.
It is a well-meant saying, that you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire; or, in other words, before you venture at too much familiarity.
1904
Collectanea
IV. 204
You may poke a man's fire after you've known him seven years, but not before.
1942
Marling Hall
iii.
‘Let me get you another drink,’ said David, taking the glass. ‘I know one ought to know people seven years to poke their fires, but I believe it's less for cocktails’.
1945
Green December Fills Graveyard
iv. 35
‘I haven't known you ten years, or whatever the period is, but I'm going to poke your fire.’

Other books

Carousel Seas by Sharon Lee
Black Parade by Jacqueline Druga
Alibi: A Novel by Kanon, Joseph
The Passion of Mademoiselle S. by Jean-Yves Berthault
The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm by Zipes, Jack, Grimm, Jacob, Grimm, Wilhelm, Dezs, Andrea
Alma by William Bell
The Last Secret by Mary Mcgarry Morris
Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler