The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (67 page)

The rationale is ‘an enemy closely pursued may become desperate …By all means, then, let the vanquished have a free course’ (T. Fielding
Proverbs of all Nations
(1824) 14). The idea is attributed to Aristides (480 BC), who warned Themistocles not to destroy the bridge of boats which Xerxes had built across the Hellespont in order to invade Greece (PLUTARCH
Themistocles
xvi). Cf. ERASMUS
Apophthegms
viii.
Hostibus fugientibus pontem argenteum exstruendum esse
, for a fleeing enemy one should construct a bridge of silver.
1576
Perambulation of Kent
323
It was well sayde of one .. If thine enemie will flye, make him a bridge of Golde.
1642
Holy State
iv. xvii.
He [the good general] makes his flying enemy a bridge of gold, and disarms them of their best weapon, which is necessity to fight whether they will or no.
1889
Master of Ballantrae
iv.
You may have heard a military proverb: that it is a good thing to make a bridge of gold to a flying enemy. I trust you will take my meaning.
enemies
;
warfare

 
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see also
don't CROSS the bridge till you come to it
;
everyone SPEAKS well of the bridge which carries him over
.

 
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see
BLESSINGS brighten as they take their flight
.

 
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see
NIGHT brings counsel
;
the WORTH of a thing is what it will bring
.

 
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Principally known in North America; the British equivalent is
LET well alone
.
1977
Nation's Business
May 27
Bert Lance [President Carter's Director of the Office of Management and Budget] believes he can save Uncle Sam billions if he can get the government to adopt a single motto: ‘If it ain't broke, don't fix it.’
1984
You all spoken Here
25
If it ain't broke, don't fix it: Don't mess with a clock that runs on time.
1988
Washington Post
5 Dec. C11
The sleep pattern you have worked out is normal for you, and since you have been fairly successful in planning your life around it, why change? ‘If it ain't broke, don't fix it.’
1996
Windows Sources
Nov. 140
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Wise words, but in the world of computers, they generally fall on deaf ears.
busybodies
;
content and discontent

 
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