The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (42 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs

6.32Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

ads

1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
I. xi. D2
^VSonne, better be envied then pitied, folke sey.
a
1631
Poems
(1633) 94
Men say, and truly, that they better be Which be envyed then pittied.
1902
Onlooker's Note-Book
xxxiii.
Her friend responded sympathetically, ‘My dear, I'd much rather be envied than pitied.’

malice
;
pity

Back
-

New Search

BETTER be out of the world than out of the fashion

1639
Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina
171
As good out of th' world as out o' th' fashion.
1738
Polite Conversation
II. 117
‘Why, Tom, you are high in the Mode.’..‘It is better to be out of the World, than out of the Fashion.’
1903
From Window in Chelsea
IV.
Women seem seldom hindered by lack of money when it is a case of follow-my-leader. ‘Better be out of the world than out of the fashion.’
1935
If I were Dictator
i.
Dictatorships are fashionable just now. There was an old-time song which said ‘If you are out of the fashion you had better leave the world.’

novelty

Back
-

New Search

BETTER be safe than sorry

Now very often in the form
better safe than sorry
.

1837
Rory O'More
II. xxi.
‘Jist countin' them,—is there any harm in that?’ said the tinker: ‘it's betther be sure than sorry’.
1933
Radio Times
14 Apr. 125
Cheap distempers very soon crack or fade. Better be safe than sorry. Ask for Hall's.
1972
Hide & Seek
vii.
It's not that I want to shut you in .. but—well, it's better to be safe than sorry.
1984
Unexpected Developments
XX.
‘Look, I don't want this getting out, but better safe than sorry,’ he said, lowering his voice instinctively.
1995
And Hope to Die
iii. 37
‘It'll have to be taken away,’ said Derek morosely. ‘Better be safe than sorry.’
1996
Death's Autograph
xiv. 143
‘Until we know the reason for all this, you can't be sure. Better safe than sorry.’

prudence
;
security

Back
-

New Search

BETTER late than never

Cf. DIONYSIUS OF HALICARNASSUS
Roman Antiquities
ix. 9