The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (105 page)
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Why buy a COW when milk is so cheap?
An argument for choosing the least troublesome alternative; frequently used as an argument against marriage. One of the few proverbs in the form of a rhetorical question; cf.
why KEEP a dog, and bark yourself
?
1659
Proverbs
. p. ii.
It is better to buy a quart of Milk by the penny then keep a Cow.
1680
Mr. Badman
293
Who would keep a Cow of their own, that can have a quart of milk for a penny? Meaning, Who would be at the charge to have a Wife, that can have a Whore when he listeth (wishes)?
1895
Note-Books
(1926) xvii.
It was cheaper to buy the milk than to keep a cow.
1942
Yellow Overcoat
v.
‘He ain't marryin’.. any more!..‘Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap, eh?’
1984
Color of Money
vi.
‘I don't have a wife.’ ‘That's the best way. Why buy a cow when you can get milk free?’
1996
Washington Post
14 Jan. C5
When it comes to sex, your mother and Elvis may have been right: Men don't buy the cow when they can get the milk for free.
marriage
why KEEP a dog, and bark yourself
?
1659Proverbs
. p. ii.
It is better to buy a quart of Milk by the penny then keep a Cow.
1680
Mr. Badman
293
Who would keep a Cow of their own, that can have a quart of milk for a penny? Meaning, Who would be at the charge to have a Wife, that can have a Whore when he listeth (wishes)?
1895
Note-Books
(1926) xvii.
It was cheaper to buy the milk than to keep a cow.
1942
Yellow Overcoat
v.
‘He ain't marryin’.. any more!..‘Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap, eh?’
1984
Color of Money
vi.
‘I don't have a wife.’ ‘That's the best way. Why buy a cow when you can get milk free?’
1996
Washington Post
14 Jan. C5
When it comes to sex, your mother and Elvis may have been right: Men don't buy the cow when they can get the milk for free.
marriagecow
COWARDS die many times before their death
The popular form is a misquotation of Shakespeare (see quot. 1599) Cf.
1596
DRAYTON
Mortimeriados
S1 Every houre he dyes, which ever feares.
1599
Julius Caesar
II.ii. 32
Cowards die many times before their deaths: The valiant never taste of death but once.
1800
Castle Rackrent
p. xliv.
In Ireland, not only cowards, but the brave ‘die many times before their death.’
1927
Sphere
3 Dec. 414
It is true that cowards die many times before their death, and Noel Coward will come back again and again, and .. win his niche among the great dramatists.
cowardice
1596
DRAYTON
Mortimeriados
S1 Every houre he dyes, which ever feares.
1599Julius Caesar
II.ii. 32
Cowards die many times before their deaths: The valiant never taste of death but once.
1800
Castle Rackrent
p. xliv.
In Ireland, not only cowards, but the brave ‘die many times before their death.’
1927
Sphere
3 Dec. 414
It is true that cowards die many times before their death, and Noel Coward will come back again and again, and .. win his niche among the great dramatists.
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