The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (4 page)
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ACTIONS speak louder than words
First recorded in its current form in the United States.
1628
Speech
4 Apr. in Hansard
Parliamentary Hist. England
(1807) II. 274
‘A word spoken in season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures of Silver,’ and actions are more precious than words.
1736
Melancholy State of Province
in
Colonial Currency
(1911) III. 137
Actions speak louder than Words, and are more to be regarded.
1856
Works
(1953) II. 352
‘Actions speak louder than words’ is the maxim; and, if true, the South now distinctly says to the North, ‘Give us the
measures
, and you take the
men
.’
1939
Dead Men sing no Songs
xii.
Deeds speak louder than words. First she tells you the most damning things she can .., and then she begs you to believe he's innocent in spite of them?
1979
‘’
Some die Eloquent
xvii.
‘He's very sorry about it all.’.. ‘Actions speak louder than words.’
1995
Washington Times
21 May B3
Actions speak louder than words, especially when individual property rights are at stake.
words and deeds
1628Speech
4 Apr. in Hansard
Parliamentary Hist. England
(1807) II. 274
‘A word spoken in season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures of Silver,’ and actions are more precious than words.
1736
Melancholy State of Province
in
Colonial Currency
(1911) III. 137
Actions speak louder than Words, and are more to be regarded.
1856
Works
(1953) II. 352
‘Actions speak louder than words’ is the maxim; and, if true, the South now distinctly says to the North, ‘Give us the
measures
, and you take the
men
.’
1939
Dead Men sing no Songs
xii.
Deeds speak louder than words. First she tells you the most damning things she can .., and then she begs you to believe he's innocent in spite of them?
1979
‘’
Some die Eloquent
xvii.
‘He's very sorry about it all.’.. ‘Actions speak louder than words.’
1995
Washington Times
21 May B3
Actions speak louder than words, especially when individual property rights are at stake.
words and deedsWhen ADAM delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?
The rhyme is particularly associated with the itinerant preacher John Ball, a leader of the 1381 ‘Peasants' Revolt’, who used it to incite the people against their feudal lords.
c
1340
in
Religious Pieces
(EETS) 88
When Adam dalfe [dug] and Eue spane .. Whare was than the pride of man?
1381
in &
Index Middle English Verse
(1943) 628
Whan adam delffid and eve span, Who was than a gentilman?
1562
Aggeus & Abdias
I. ii.
When Adam dalve, and Eve span, Who was than a gentle man? Up start the carle, and gathered good, And thereof came the gentle blood.
1874
Short Hist. English People
v.
A spirit fatal to the whole system of the Middle Ages breathed in the popular rime which condensed the levelling doctrine of John Ball: ‘When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?’
1918
Leaves in Wind
81
It is not only the humanising influence of the garden, it is the democratising influence too. When Adam delved and Eve span, Where was then the gentleman?
1979
Fin-de-Siècle Vienna
vi.
When Adam delved and Eve span Who was then the gentleman? The question had ironic relevance for the
arrivé
.
equality
;
gentry
c1340
in
Religious Pieces
(EETS) 88
When Adam dalfe [dug] and Eue spane .. Whare was than the pride of man?
1381
in &
Index Middle English Verse
(1943) 628
Whan adam delffid and eve span, Who was than a gentilman?
1562
Aggeus & Abdias
I. ii.
When Adam dalve, and Eve span, Who was than a gentle man? Up start the carle, and gathered good, And thereof came the gentle blood.
1874
Short Hist. English People
v.
A spirit fatal to the whole system of the Middle Ages breathed in the popular rime which condensed the levelling doctrine of John Ball: ‘When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?’
1918
Leaves in Wind
81
It is not only the humanising influence of the garden, it is the democratising influence too. When Adam delved and Eve span, Where was then the gentleman?
1979
Fin-de-Siècle Vienna
vi.
When Adam delved and Eve span Who was then the gentleman? The question had ironic relevance for the
arrivé
.
equality;
gentry
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