The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (377 page)
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MORE people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows
Tom Fool is a name traditionally given to a simpleton, or to one who acts the part of a fool, as in a drama or morris dance.
1656
Wit & Fancy
II
. i.
In all Comedies more know the Clown, then the Clown knows.
1723
Colonel Jack
(ed. 2) 347
It was no satisfaction to me that I knew not their faces, for they might know mine .. according to the old English proverb, ‘that more knows Tom Fool, than Tom Fool knows’.
1865
Facey Romford's Hounds
xxxii.
‘Good mornin’, Mr. Swig,' said the man; for the aphorism that ‘more people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows,’ holds particularly good as regards huntsmen and field servants.
1922
Times
15 Nov. 10
One of the candidates .. sent me his election address… More people, thought I, know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows.
1980
Hooky & Prancing Horse
iv.
Hooky asked ‘..How's the great pulsating world of journalism?’ Mac was .. surprised; but he consoled himself with the thought that more people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows.
associates
;
fame and obscurity
1656Wit & Fancy
II
. i.
In all Comedies more know the Clown, then the Clown knows.
1723
Colonel Jack
(ed. 2) 347
It was no satisfaction to me that I knew not their faces, for they might know mine .. according to the old English proverb, ‘that more knows Tom Fool, than Tom Fool knows’.
1865
Facey Romford's Hounds
xxxii.
‘Good mornin’, Mr. Swig,' said the man; for the aphorism that ‘more people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows,’ holds particularly good as regards huntsmen and field servants.
1922
Times
15 Nov. 10
One of the candidates .. sent me his election address… More people, thought I, know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows.
1980
Hooky & Prancing Horse
iv.
Hooky asked ‘..How's the great pulsating world of journalism?’ Mac was .. surprised; but he consoled himself with the thought that more people know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows.
associates;
fame and obscurity
The MORE the merrier
c1380
Pearl
(1953) 1. 850
The mo [more] the myryer, so God me blesse.
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
II
. vii. I3
The mo the merier, we all daie here [hear] and se. Ye but the fewer the better fare (saied he).
1614
Devil's Banquet
IV. 196
The company is .. all the Patriarchs, Prophets, Saints… The more the mirrier, yea, and the better cheare to.
1855
Westward Ho!
III. iv.
The old proverb comes true—‘the more the merrier: but the fewer the better fare’.
1976
Kinflicks
xiii.
‘Take my word for it. Have another baby.’ .. ‘The more, the merrier!’
1985
Wedding Treasure
ix.
‘And Tina and Keith and Wendy, in the Land Rover,’ said Jeremy. ‘More the merrier’.
1997
Old Gang of Mine
xi. 147
‘We will have the whole damn place in on this!’ ‘You got a problem with that?.. I figure the more the merrier.’
hospitality;
merriment
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