The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (522 page)
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Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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It is easy to find a STICK to beat a dog
An excuse to justify a harsh action or opinion is easy to findc.
1564
Works
I. C5
V
Howe easye a thyng it is to fynde a staffe if a man be mynded to beate a dogge.
1581
tr.
S. Guazzo's Civil Conversation
III
. 50
It is an easie matter to finde a staffe to beate a dog.
1782
Miscellaneous Essays
I. 266
A proverb .. naturally occurs on this occasion: It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog.
1875
Thrift
xiv.
Excuses were abundant … It is easy to find a stick to beat a sick dog.
1908
Times Literary Supplement
6 Nov. 391
The reviewer seems .. predisposed to the view that any stick is good enough to beat a dog with.
1987
Washington Times
30 Apr. 11A
When you want to beat a dog, any stick will do.
excuses
1564Works
I. C5
V
Howe easye a thyng it is to fynde a staffe if a man be mynded to beate a dogge.
1581
tr.
S. Guazzo's Civil Conversation
III
. 50
It is an easie matter to finde a staffe to beate a dog.
1782
Miscellaneous Essays
I. 266
A proverb .. naturally occurs on this occasion: It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog.
1875
Thrift
xiv.
Excuses were abundant … It is easy to find a stick to beat a sick dog.
1908
Times Literary Supplement
6 Nov. 391
The reviewer seems .. predisposed to the view that any stick is good enough to beat a dog with.
1987
Washington Times
30 Apr. 11A
When you want to beat a dog, any stick will do.
excuses
stick
STICKS and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me
Similar to
HARD words break no bones.
1894
Folk-Phrases
23
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me! Said by one youngster to another calling names.
1980
Cosmopolitan
Dec. 137
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones,’ goes the children's rhyme, ‘but words will never hurt me.’ One wonders whether the people on the receiving end .. would agree.
1995
Washington Post
11 Feb. B1
I try to put things into perspective by recalling what our parents used to tell us when we were kids: Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.
malice
;
words and deeds
HARD words break no bones.
1894Folk-Phrases
23
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me! Said by one youngster to another calling names.
1980
Cosmopolitan
Dec. 137
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones,’ goes the children's rhyme, ‘but words will never hurt me.’ One wonders whether the people on the receiving end .. would agree.
1995
Washington Post
11 Feb. B1
I try to put things into perspective by recalling what our parents used to tell us when we were kids: Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.
malice;
words and deeds
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