The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (538 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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, one swallow does not make a spring; ERASMUS
Adages
I
. vii.
una hirundo non facit ver
.
1539
tr.
Erasmus' Adages
25
It is not one swalowe that bryngeth in somer. It is not one good qualitie that maketh a man good.
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
II
. v. H3
One swalow maketh not sommer.
1659
Proverbs
(English) 11
One Swallow doth not make a Summer.
1844
Martin Chuzzlewit
xlii.
One foul wind no more makes a winter, than one swallow makes a summer.
1973
Way to Dusty Death
vii.
The first driver past the pits was Harlow … ‘One swallow does not make a summer.’
omens
It is idle to SWALLOW the cow and choke on the tail
It is silly to give up when a task or enterprise is almost completed.
1659
Proverbs
(English) 13
To swallow an Ox, and be choaked with the tail.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
190
It is a Shame to eat the Cow, and worry [choke] on the Tail. It is a Shame to perform a great Task all but a little, and then give over.
1915
Salute to Adventurers
xviii.
We had gone too far to turn back, and as our proverb says, ‘It is idle to swallow the cow and choke on the tail.’
1935
Murder at Old Stone House
xvi.
I'm not one to swallow a cow and choke on the tail.
perseverance
A SWARM in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly
1655
Reformed Commonwealth of Bees
26
It being a Proverb, that a Swarm of Bees in May is worth a Cow and a Bottle [bundle] of Hay, whereas a Swarm in July is not worth a Fly.
1710
Tusser Redivivus
May 11
The Proverb says, ‘A Swarm in May is worth a Load of Hay.’
1879
Wild Life in Southern County
vii.
‘A swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly’—for it is then too late .. to store up .. honey before the flowers begin to fade.
1945
Lark Rise
v.
As she reminded the children: A swarm in May's worth a rick of hay; And a swarm in June's worth a silver spoon; while A swarm in July isn't worth a fly.
1985
Dog Rock
ii.
A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay, A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon, A swarm of bees in July is worth not a fly. On that basis, a swarm of bees now would be worth a milking cow, but I won't be joining it to one of my colonies.
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