The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (571 page)
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Many a TRUE word is spoken in jest
c1390
Monk's Prologue
l. 1964
Be nat wrooth, my lord, though that I pleye. Ful ofte in game a sooth [truth] I have herd seye!
a
1628
Proverbs in Scots
no. 1099
Manie suith word said in bourding [jesting].
c
1665
in
Roxburghe Ballads
(1890) VII. 366
Many a true word hath been spoke in jest.
1738
Polite Conversation
I
. iii.
‘I did a very foolish thing yesterday .’ .. ‘They say, many a true Word's spoken in Jest.’
1898
Widower's Houses
I
. in
Plays Pleasant & Unpleasant
I. 10
There actually are Johannis churches here .. as well as Apollinaris ones… There is many a true word spoken in jest.
1979
Shikasta
356
By the time we have finished I expect we shall have a dozen or more [children… Many a true word is spoken in jest.
truthtrue
Put your TRUST in God, and keep your powder dry
Advice attributed to Oliver Cromwell (see quot. 1834), combining spiritual exhortation with the practical measure of making sure that one's gunpowder is kept serviceable. The second half of the saying is often used allusively in the phrase
to keep one's powder dry
.
1834
Oliver's Advice
in
Ballads of Ireland
(1856) I. 192
Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry.
1856
Ballads of Ireland
(ed. 2) I. 191
Cromwell .. when his troops were about crossing a river .. concluded an address .. with these words— ‘put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry.’
1908
Times Literary Supplement
6 Nov. 383
In thus keeping his powder dry the bishop acted most wisely, though he himself ascribes the happy result entirely to the observance of the other half of Cromwell's maxim.
1979
Satan Sampler
iv.
God .. created us for a better end …We must put our trust in Him and keep our powder dry.
prudence
;
self-help
to keep one's powder dry
.
1834Oliver's Advice
in
Ballads of Ireland
(1856) I. 192
Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry.
1856
Ballads of Ireland
(ed. 2) I. 191
Cromwell .. when his troops were about crossing a river .. concluded an address .. with these words— ‘put your trust in God; but mind to keep your powder dry.’
1908
Times Literary Supplement
6 Nov. 383
In thus keeping his powder dry the bishop acted most wisely, though he himself ascribes the happy result entirely to the observance of the other half of Cromwell's maxim.
1979
Satan Sampler
iv.
God .. created us for a better end …We must put our trust in Him and keep our powder dry.
prudence;
self-help
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