The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (373 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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o
, observe due measure; moderation is best in all things; PLAUTUS
Poenulus
l. 238
modus omnibus rebus .. optimus est habitu
, moderation in all things is the best policy.
1849
Mardi
II. lxxvii.
I am for being temperate in these things… All things in moderation are good; whence, wine in moderation is good.
1879
tr.
Swiss Family Robinson
ii.
‘Oh, father, sugar canes …Do let us take a lot home to mother.’ .. ‘Gently there… Moderation in all things.’
1980
Death & Pregnant Virgin
ii.
Norfolk..[is] on the same scale I am. No Niagaras, no hills higher than hills .. ought to be. Moderation in all things.
moderation
MONEY has no smell
L.
non olet
, it [money] does not smell. Titus, son of the Roman emperor
Vespasian
, had criticized a tax on public lavatories. Vespasian held a coin from the first payment to his son's nose and asked him whether the smell was offensive. Titus said no. Vespasian replied ‘And yet it comes from urine’ (Suetonius Vespasian xxiii).
1914
Max Carrados
45
The Romans, Parkinson, had a saying to the effect that gold carries no smell. That is a pity sometimes. What jewellery did Miss Hutchins wear?
1922
Mr. Prohack
iii.
The associations of the wealth scarcely affected him. He understood in the flesh the deep wisdom of that old proverb .. that money has no smell.
1940
Farewell, my Lovely
xxxiv.
He punched the cash-register and dropped the bill into the drawer. They say money don't stink. I sometimes wonder.
1998
Times: Weekend
27 June 6
It has been known from the time of the Emperor Vespasian that money has no smell; thanks to the World Cup, we also know that it has no taste.
money

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