The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (334 page)

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It is a LONG lane that has no turning
Commonly used as an assertion that an unfavourable situation will eventually change for the better.
1633
Stationers' Register
(1877) IV. 273 (
ballad
)
Long runns that neere turnes.
1670
English Proverbs
117
It's a long run that never turns.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 2863
It is a long Lane that never turns.
1748
Clarissa
IV. xxxii.
It is a long lane that has no turning—Do not despise me for my proverbs.
1849
Caxtons
III. xvii. i.
I wonder we did not run away. But.. ‘It is a long lane that has no turning’.
1945
River Road
viii. xxxvii.
‘You 're through in politics, Gervais. You might just as well face it.’ .. ‘It's a long lane that has no turning.’
circumstances
;
perseverance
The LONGEST journey begins with a single step
Attributed to Lao-tsu (
c
604–
c
531 BC), founder of Taoism; see
1904
Sayings of Lao Tzu
tr. L. Giles 51 A journey of a thousand miles began with a single step.
1980
U.S. News & World Report
8 Sept. 19
A Chinese proverb says that a journey of 1, 000 miles begins with a single step.
1983
National Review
29 April 485
Of the 15,000 people treated there.., nearly all smoked marijuana. Which proves nothing. Except that the longest journey begins with a single step.
1997
Spectator
13 Dec. 27
Politicians of all sides .. should remember the old adage that even that longest journey begins with a single step. Before placing another foot forward they should decide whether this actually is a journey they wish to make.
beginnings and endings
The LONGEST way round is the shortest way home
The idea is found earlier:
1580
LYLY
Euphues & his England
II. 96 Thou goest about (but yet the neerest way) to hang me vp for holy-dayes. (
Go about
is used equivocatingly to mean ‘endeavour’ and ‘go around or roundabout’. The context is of a person metaphorically described as a hat which can be taken up and put down at will.)
1635
Emblems
IV. ii.
The road to resolution lies by doubt: The next way home's the farthest way about.
1776
Spleen
II. 24
The longest way about is the shortest way home.
1846
Letter
9 May (1962) vii.
The Potatoes arrived..
via
New York .. in pursuance of the Old Proverb, that ‘the longest way round is the shortest way home’.
1942
And let Coffin Pass
xviii.
‘The longest way round is the shortest way home.’ .. ‘We'll make the best time by skirting the pines’.
1990
Croaking of Raven
vi. 2. 64
‘.. when I was training my old boss used to say: “If in doubt take the long road round. It'll prove to be the shortest in the end.”’
patience and impatience
;
ways and means

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