The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (83 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
2.56Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
CHARITY covers a multitude of sins
Cf. ERASMUS
Responsio ad Albertum Pium
(1529) 35
V
quid est charitas? Est pallium monachi. Qui sic? Quia operit multitudinem peccatorum
, ‘What is Charity? A monk's cloak. Why? Because it covers a multitude of sins’. With allusion to
I PETER
iv. 8 (AV) For charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
a
1633
Priest to Temple
(1652) xii.
Many and wonderfull things are spoken of thee … To Charity is given the covering of sins.
1794
Letter
26 May in
Writings
(1913) I. 191
Faction
covers at least as great a multitude of sins as
charity
.
1836
Rattlin the Reefer
I. xxx.
The blue coat, like charity, covereth a multitude of sins.
1908
‘’
Gentle Grafter
47
According to the old proverb, ‘Charity covers a multitude of skins’.
1982
Game
xvi.
Charity, after all, can cover up a multitude of sins.
charity
;
forgiveness
It is as CHEAP sitting as standing
Commonly applied literally.
1666
Italian Proverbs
277
The English say, It is as cheap sitting as standing, my Masters.
1858
Ask Mamma
xlix.
Let's get chairs, and be snug; it's as cheap sitting as standing.
1932
‘’
Sweepstake Murders
ix.
He returned to Tommie Redhill's car. ‘Jump in, Inspector’, Tommie suggested, opening the door at his side. ‘It's as cheap sitting as standing’.
1946
‘’
Bodies in Bookshop
xix.
The old man .. grunted angrily and lowered himself into a chair. I had already taken a seat. It was as cheap to sit as to stand.
idleness

Other books

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
Duplicity (Spellbound #2) by Jefford, Nikki
Mother of Storms by Barnes, John
Across the Miles by Kristen Dickerson
Let the Devil Sleep by John Verdon