The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (609 page)

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Where there's a WILL, there's a way
1640
Outlandish Proverbs
no. 730
To him that will, wais are not wanting.
1822
in
New Monthly Mag
. Feb. 102
Where there's a will, there's a way.—I said so to myself, as I walked down Chancery-lane .. to inquire .. where the fight the next day was to be.
1849
Caxtons
III.
XVIII
.
V
.
I must consider of all this, and talk it over with Bolt … Meanwhile, I fall back on my favourite proverb,— ‘Where there's a will there's a way.’
1979
Good Night Little Spy
xi.
I've no idea how it can be done. But where there's a will, there's a way.
1994
Mr. Donaghue Investigates
(1997) xxii. 169
‘It takes will.’ she placed emphasis on the last word … ‘Where there's a will, there's a way, eh?’ he said, smiling half-heartedly.
persistence
;
ways and means
He who WILLS the end, wills the means
1692
Twelve Sermons
497
That most true aphorism, that he who wills the end, wills also the means.
1910
Spectator
29 Oct. 677
We won a Trafalgar .. because we not only meant to win, but knew how to win—because we understood .. the maxim, ‘He who wills the end wills the means.’
1980
Listener
13 Mar. 332
I could offer a text .. from Aneurin Bevan: ‘It's no good willing the end unless you're also ready to will the means.’
action and consequences
;
ways and means
You WIN a few, you lose a few
An expression of consolation or resignation of American origin, also found in the form
you win some, you lose some
. See also the next entry. Cf.
1897
R. KIPLING
Captains Courageous
x. ‘Thirty million dollars’ worth of mistake, wasn't it? I'd risk it for that.' ‘I lost some; and I gained some.’
1966
Sabre-Tooth
XIV
.
You win a few, you lose a few, and it's no good getting sore.
1969
Up your Banners
xxvi.
I go home… You win a few, you lose a few.
1971
And Deep Blue Sea
xiv.
She stopped, arrested by something in the attitude of the two figures leaning on the rail, and shrugged. You won a few, you lost a few.
1976
Times
23 Nov. 14
You look like being saddled with the uninspiring Willy … On the other hand, you seem to have got your way over Mrs. Thatcher's nominee … You win some, you lose some.
1998
Oldie
Jan. 32/3
Ah well, as they say in the Silver Ring, win a few, lose a few.
winners and losers

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