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The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs (Penguin Reference Books)
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| List Price: | £8.99 |
| Price: | £5.74 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details |
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Average customer review:
Product Description
Entertaining and informative, this rich and diverse collection of over 6000 proverbs (and their origins) is a delight to browse and the perfect addition to any home reference shelf.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #214522 in Books
- Published on: 2005-05-05
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 384 pages
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Some sample entries:
182. WILL
Its power
1. Where there's a will there's a way
2. That which two will, takes effect
3. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink
4. To bow the body is easy, to bow the will is hard (Chinese proverb)
163. SPENDING
Its effects
14. Fat housekeepers make lean executors. (Implies that those whose household expenses are too lavish will have little to leave in their wills)
15. Silks and satins put out the fire in the chimney. (A reference to hardship caused by spending money on luxuries)
16. Who dainties love, shall beggars prove.
17. Lavishness is not generosity.
18. The prodigal robs his heir; the miser himself.
27. CONTEMPT
Its sources
1. Familiarity breeds contempt. (Cited by St Augustine of Hippo as `a common proverb', early 5th century AD)
2. A maid oft seen, and a gown oft worn, are disesteemed and held in scorn.
3. Scorn comes commonly with scathe. (`Scathe' means `harm, injury')
4. Where the demand is a jest, the fittest answer is a scoff.
5. To be too busy, gets contempt. (`Busy' here has the sense of `meddlesome')
About the Author
ROSALIND FERGUSSON has worked extensively as an editor, lexicographer and writer for over twenty years. Her previous publications include THE PENGUIN DICTIONARY OF SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS, THE PENGUIN RHYMING DICTIONARY and CHOOSE YOUR BABY'S NAME. She is currently working on the forthcoming NEW PENGUIN ENGLISH DICTIONARY and THE PENGUIN A-Z THESAURUS. She is married and lives in Newington, nr Sittingbourne, Kent.
Customer Reviews
Proverbs
Perhaps not a cover-to-cover rivoting read, but great for dipping in and out of for the occasional bit of insight. Also great if you need a quote for any reason.
