The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (108 page)
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BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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CROSSES are ladders that lead to heaven
There are two strands to the proverb: in one,
cross
signifies the crucifix; in the other, it means ‘trouble, misfortune’.
1616
Adages
36
The Crosse is the ladder of heauen.
1670
English Proverbs
6
Crosses are ladders that do lead to heaven.
1859
Self-Help
xi.
If there be real worth in the character .. it will give forth its finest fragrance when pressed. ‘Crosses’ says the old proverb, ‘are ladders that lead to heaven.’
1975
Women in Wall
iv.
The cross, they say, is the ladder to heaven and so I have sent your lordship .. two.
misfortune
cross
signifies the crucifix; in the other, it means ‘trouble, misfortune’.
1616Adages
36
The Crosse is the ladder of heauen.
1670
English Proverbs
6
Crosses are ladders that do lead to heaven.
1859
Self-Help
xi.
If there be real worth in the character .. it will give forth its finest fragrance when pressed. ‘Crosses’ says the old proverb, ‘are ladders that lead to heaven.’
1975
Women in Wall
iv.
The cross, they say, is the ladder to heaven and so I have sent your lordship .. two.
misfortune
crow
Don't CRY before you're hurt
Cf. early 14th-cent. Fr.
follie fait plorer deuant que on soit batu
.
1548
Reliquiœ Antiquœ
(1843) II. 16
Ye may the better understand that I cry not before I am pricked.
1678
English Proverbs
(ed. 2) 237
You cry before you're hurt.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
204
It is time enough to cry, Oh, when you are hurt. Spoken to dissuade People from groundless Fears.
1850
Pendennis
II. xxx.
I .. took up a pistol. You see it is not loaded, and this coward cried out before he was hurt.
1930
Other Bullet
xxviii.
Don't cry out before you're hurt.
1981
Devil's Parole
xvi.
You mean .. that one shouldn't cry before one is hurt.
cowardice
;
expectation
follie fait plorer deuant que on soit batu
.
1548Reliquiœ Antiquœ
(1843) II. 16
Ye may the better understand that I cry not before I am pricked.
1678
English Proverbs
(ed. 2) 237
You cry before you're hurt.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
204
It is time enough to cry, Oh, when you are hurt. Spoken to dissuade People from groundless Fears.
1850
Pendennis
II. xxx.
I .. took up a pistol. You see it is not loaded, and this coward cried out before he was hurt.
1930
Other Bullet
xxviii.
Don't cry out before you're hurt.
1981
Devil's Parole
xvi.
You mean .. that one shouldn't cry before one is hurt.
cowardice;
expectation
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