The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (619 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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If you won't WORK you shan't eat
With allusion to 2
THESSALONIANS
iii. 10(AV) If any would not work, neither should he eat.
c
1535
Satire of Three Estates
(EETS) 475
Qui non laborat, non manducet …
Quha labouris nocht he sall not eit.
1624
General Hist. Virginia
III
. x.
He that will not worke shall not eate.
1891
Life's Handicap
362
If you won't work you shan't eat …You're a wild elephant, and no educated animal at all. Go back to your jungle.
1938
Circus is Coming
v.
Proper termagent she was, bless her. ‘Them as can't work can't eat,’ she always said.
1981
Ironmaster
xx.
I say them as don't work shan't eat.
idleness
;
work

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