Read The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs Online
Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (620 page)
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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Even a WORM will turn
Even the humblest will strike back if harassed or imposed upon too far.
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
II
. iv. G4
V
Treade a worme on the tayle, and it must turne agayne.
1592
Groatsworth of Wit
XII. 143
Stop shallow water still running, it will rage. Tread on a worme and it will turne.
1854
Ida May
xi.
Even the worm turns when he is trodden upon.
1889
in
Mind
XIV. 107
Since even the worm will ‘turn’, the space-theorist can hardly be expected to remain motionless when his Editor stirs him up.
1962
Mirror Crack'd
xii.
He's a very meek type. Still, the worm will turn, or so they say.
1975
Appleby File
98
Signs were not wanting that she was putting stuffing into Charles Vandervell, of late so inclined to unwholesome meditation of headlong dying. It was almost as if a worm were going to turn.
retribution
1546Dialogue of Proverbs
II
. iv. G4
V
Treade a worme on the tayle, and it must turne agayne.
1592
Groatsworth of Wit
XII. 143
Stop shallow water still running, it will rage. Tread on a worme and it will turne.
1854
Ida May
xi.
Even the worm turns when he is trodden upon.
1889
in
Mind
XIV. 107
Since even the worm will ‘turn’, the space-theorist can hardly be expected to remain motionless when his Editor stirs him up.
1962
Mirror Crack'd
xii.
He's a very meek type. Still, the worm will turn, or so they say.
1975
Appleby File
98
Signs were not wanting that she was putting stuffing into Charles Vandervell, of late so inclined to unwholesome meditation of headlong dying. It was almost as if a worm were going to turn.
retribution
worse
worst
The WORTH of a thing is what it will bring
Cf. L.
valet quantum vendi potest
, it is worth as much as it can be sold for; 15th-cent. Fr.
tant vault la chose comme elle peut estre vendue
, a thing is worth just so much as it can be sold for.
1569
tr.
H. C. Agrippa's Vanity of Arts & Sciences
xci.
The thinge is so muche worthy as it maye be solde for.
1664
Hudibras
II
. i.
For what is Worth in any thing, But so much Money as 'twill bring?
1813
Life of Nelson
I. ii.
Vouchers, he found in that country were no check whatever; the principle was, that ‘a thing was always worth what it would bring.’
1847
Dict.
II. 864
The worth of a thing is what it will bring.
1908
Spectator
4 Apr. 535
‘The real worth of anything Is just as much as it will bring.’ You cannot get beyond that piece of ancient wisdom as to the determination of value.
buying and selling
;
value
valet quantum vendi potest
, it is worth as much as it can be sold for; 15th-cent. Fr.
tant vault la chose comme elle peut estre vendue
, a thing is worth just so much as it can be sold for.
1569tr.
H. C. Agrippa's Vanity of Arts & Sciences
xci.
The thinge is so muche worthy as it maye be solde for.
1664
Hudibras
II
. i.
For what is Worth in any thing, But so much Money as 'twill bring?
1813
Life of Nelson
I. ii.
Vouchers, he found in that country were no check whatever; the principle was, that ‘a thing was always worth what it would bring.’
1847
Dict.
II. 864
The worth of a thing is what it will bring.
1908
Spectator
4 Apr. 535
‘The real worth of anything Is just as much as it will bring.’ You cannot get beyond that piece of ancient wisdom as to the determination of value.
buying and selling;
value
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
9.83Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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