The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (493 page)
Read The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs Online
Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
5.74Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
shoe
The SHOEMAKER'S son always goes barefoot
A skilled or knowledgeable person commonly neglects to give his own family the benefit of his expertise. Also used in wider contexts.
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
I. xi. E1
V
But who is wurs shod, than the shoemakers wyfe, With shops full of newe shapen shoes all hir lyfe?
1773
Spiritual Quixote
I.
III
. ii.
The Shoe-maker's wife often goes in ragged shoes … Although there had been a [Methodist] Society begun here by Mr. Whitfield, yet .. the people of Gloucester are not much the better for having had so great a Prophet born amongst them.
1876
Life of Scotch Naturalist
xvii.
His large family .. were all .. well shod, notwithstanding the Scottish proverb to the contrary. ‘The Smith's meer [mare] and the shoemaker's bairns are aye the worst shod.’
1981
Saint Peter's Fair
30
Spruce in his dress, but down at heel, Cadfael noticed—proof of the old saying that the shoemaker's son is always the one who goes barefoot!
1996
Washington Times
26 Feb. C11
My mother always used to say, ‘The shoemaker's family goes barefoot.’ Well .. I married a plumber, and every faucet in our house drips.
family
1546Dialogue of Proverbs
I. xi. E1
V
But who is wurs shod, than the shoemakers wyfe, With shops full of newe shapen shoes all hir lyfe?
1773
Spiritual Quixote
I.
III
. ii.
The Shoe-maker's wife often goes in ragged shoes … Although there had been a [Methodist] Society begun here by Mr. Whitfield, yet .. the people of Gloucester are not much the better for having had so great a Prophet born amongst them.
1876
Life of Scotch Naturalist
xvii.
His large family .. were all .. well shod, notwithstanding the Scottish proverb to the contrary. ‘The Smith's meer [mare] and the shoemaker's bairns are aye the worst shod.’
1981
Saint Peter's Fair
30
Spruce in his dress, but down at heel, Cadfael noticed—proof of the old saying that the shoemaker's son is always the one who goes barefoot!
1996
Washington Times
26 Feb. C11
My mother always used to say, ‘The shoemaker's family goes barefoot.’ Well .. I married a plumber, and every faucet in our house drips.
familyOther books
Compass Rose by John Casey
The Reluctant Mage: Book One in the Zandar Series by R. E. Donnellan
Leslie's Journal by Allan Stratton
The Godling Chronicles (Shadow of the Gods, Book #3) by Brian D. Anderson
The Laird by Blair, Sandy
White Wind Blew by James Markert
Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny by Jim Laughter
Automatic Woman by Nathan L. Yocum
Culture Clash by L. Divine
The Evensong by Lindsay Payton