The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (488 page)
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SELF-preservation is the first law of nature
Cf. CICERO
De Finibus
IV
. x. 25
primamque ex natura hanc habere appetitionem
,
ut conservemus nosmet ipsos
, by nature our first impulse is to preserve ourselves.
a
1631
Biathanatos
(1646)
I
. ii.
It is onely upon this reason, that selfe-preservation is of Naturall Law.
1675
[MARVELL]
Complete Poems
(1872) I. 439
Self-preservation, Nature's first great Law.
1681
Spanish Friar
IV
. ii.
Self-preservation is the first of Laws: .. When Subjects are oppress'd by Kings, They justifie Rebellion by that Law.
1821
Pirate
I. v.
Triptolemus .. had a reasonable share of that wisdom which looks towards self-preservation as the first law of nature.
1952
Top of Heap
xvii.
Loyalty is a fine thing .. but self-preservation is the first law of nature.
1975
Black Tower
vii.
What it amounted to was that he'd do a great deal for dear Maggie but that self-preservation was the first law of nature.
self-preservation
De Finibus
IV
. x. 25
primamque ex natura hanc habere appetitionem
,
ut conservemus nosmet ipsos
, by nature our first impulse is to preserve ourselves.
a1631
Biathanatos
(1646)
I
. ii.
It is onely upon this reason, that selfe-preservation is of Naturall Law.
1675
[MARVELL]
Complete Poems
(1872) I. 439
Self-preservation, Nature's first great Law.
1681
Spanish Friar
IV
. ii.
Self-preservation is the first of Laws: .. When Subjects are oppress'd by Kings, They justifie Rebellion by that Law.
1821
Pirate
I. v.
Triptolemus .. had a reasonable share of that wisdom which looks towards self-preservation as the first law of nature.
1952
Top of Heap
xvii.
Loyalty is a fine thing .. but self-preservation is the first law of nature.
1975
Black Tower
vii.
What it amounted to was that he'd do a great deal for dear Maggie but that self-preservation was the first law of nature.
self-preservation
send
SEPTEMBER blow soft, till the fruit's in the loft
1571Husbandry
(rev. ed.) F2
September blowe soft, Till fruite be in loft.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 6214
September, blow soft, Till the Fruit's in the Loft.
1906
Country Diary of Edwardian Lady
(1977) 121
September blow soft,—Till the fruit's in the loft.
1928
Daily Mail
3 Sept. 10
‘September blow soft till the apple's in the loft’ is what we desire of this traditionally beautiful month.
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