The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (455 page)

c
1390
Cook's Tale
l. 4415
There is no theef with-oute a lowke [accomplice], That helpeth hym to wasten and to sowke [cheat].
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
I
. xii. F1
This prouerbe preeues, Where be no receyuers, there be no theeues.
1614
Devil's Banquet
II
. 67
The Calumniator is a wretched Thiefe, and robs man of the best thing he hath… But if there were no receiuer, there would be no Thiefe.
1884
Red Deer
v.
No one would buy a stolen deer, knowing the inevitable consequences, and as there are no receivers .. there are no thieves.
1926
Times
22 Nov. 11
It had often been said in those Courts that if there were no receivers there would be no thieves.
associates
;
wrong-doers

 
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see
SHORT reckonings make long friends
.

 
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see
SELF-praise is no recommendation
.

 
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One of the most persistent of the weather sayings, used by sailors as well as shepherds (see quots. 1893 and 1996). With allusion to
MATTHEW
xvi. 2 (AV) When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and louring.
c
1395
Bible
Matthew xvi. 2
The eeuenynge maad, ye seien, It shal be cleer, for the heuene is lijk to reed; and the morwe, To day tempest, for heuen shyneth heuy, or sorwful.
c
1454
Follower to Donet
(EETS) 54
We trowen [believe] that this day schal be a reyny day for that his morownyng was reed, or that to morow schal be a fayre day for that his euentide is reed.
1592
–
3
Venus & Adonis
l. 453
Like a red morn, that ever yet betoken'd Wreck to the seaman .. Sorrow to shepherds.
1893
Weather Lore
53
Sky red in the morning Is a sailor's sure warning; Sky red at night Is the sailor's delight.
1920
Punch
14 July 36
Red sky at night shepherd's delight …Red sky in the morning shepherd's warning.
1979
Show me Hero
xxv.
‘Going to be a fine day,’ he said at last. ‘Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning,’ Ashman said.
1995
And Hope to Die
ii. 15
The next morning it was raining steadily, this in spite of the flush of sunset the evening before… Red sky at night, shepherds' delight. Well all right, perhaps so, if they'd been praying for rain.
1996
Murder on Girls' Night Out
xii. 137
The sun was reddish orange and the sky was hazy. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning? Red sky at night, sailor's delight? I thought that was right.
weather lore

 
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