The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (311 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs

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last

see
(noun) let the COBBLER stick to his last
;
the COBBLER to his last and the gunner to his linstock
.

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last

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lasting

see
FIRST impressions are the most lasting
.

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late

see
(adjective) the EARLY man never borrows from the late man
;
it is NEVER too late to learn
;
it is NEVER too late to mend
;
it is too late to shut the STABLE-door after the horse has bolted
;
(adverb) BETTER late than never
.

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LAUGH and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone

An alteration of the sentiment expressed by HORACE
Ars Poetica
101
ut ridentibus arrident
,
ita flentibus adsunt humani voltus
, men's faces laugh on those who laugh, and correspondingly weep on those who weep; cf.
ROMANS
xii. 15 (AV) Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

1883
in
Sun
(New York) 25 Feb. 3
Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own.
1907
Trimmed Lamp
211
Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and they give you the laugh.
1912
Chronicle of Clovis
127
The proverb ‘Weep and you weep alone,’ broke down as badly on application as most of its kind.
1985
Living on Ragged Edge
ii.
‘Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone.’ I've found quite the opposite is true. ‘Laugh and you laugh alone. Cry and you get a crowd’.
1997
Oldie
Aug. 27
Laugh, said the little clown, and the world laughs with you. Cry but don't let anyone catch you at it!