If a donkey bray at you, don’t bray at him.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
(Attributed)
Often attributed to Herbert, but not found in his works. Elsewhere listed simply as a proverb.
Quotations by:
Herbert, George
A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
(Attributed)
Attributed to Herbert, but not found in his works. Bohn identifies this as proverbs in three Germanic languages:
- Ein magerer Bergleich ist besser den ein setter Process. (German)
- Een mager verdrag is betger dan een vet proces. (Dutch)
- Bedre er et magert Forliig, end en fed Traette. (Danish)
A handfull of good life is better then a bushell of learning.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 3 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Light burthens, long borne, growe heavie.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 15 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
When all sinnes grow old, coveteousnesse is young.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 18 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Were there no hearers, there would be no backbiters.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 69 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Deceive not thy Physitian, Confessor, nor Lawyer.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 105 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Keepe good men company, and you shall be of the number.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 120 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
The mill cannot grind with the water that’s past.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 153 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Good words are worth much, and cost little.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 155 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Without favour none will know you, and with it you will not know your selfe.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 159 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Hell is full of good meanings and wishings.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 170 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Where the drink goes in, there the wit goes out.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 187 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Whose house is of glasse, must not throw stones at another.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 196 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Today usually phrased, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
Honour and profit lie not in one sacke.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 232 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Goe not for every griefe to the Physitian, nor for every quarrell to the Lawyer, nor for every thirst to the pot.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 290 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
The best mirrour is an old friend.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 296 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
That is not good language which all understand not.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 302 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
All is not gold that glisters.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 306 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Usually modernized as "All that glitters is not gold."
Also recorded in James Howell, Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, "English Proverbs" (1659) [compiler], in three different places.
See Shakespeare, Tolkien.
He is not poore that hath little, but he that desireth much.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 309 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Keep not ill men company, lest you increase the number.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 314 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
When the Foxe preacheth, beware your geese.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 337 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Hee that lies with the dogs, riseth with fleas.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 343 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
For want of a naile the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 499 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Living well is the best revenge.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 524 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Perhaps a variant of John Lyly (1579): "The greatest harm that you can do unto the envious, is to do well."
A foole may throw a stone into a well, which a hundred wise men cannot pull out.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 527 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Helpe thy selfe, and God will helpe thee.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 537 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
For more discussion of this and other closely related quotations: God helps those who help themselves - Wikipedia
Good & quickly seldome meete.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 580 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Folly growes without watering.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 581 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
To have money is a feare, not to have it a griefe.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 591 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Shew a good man his errour and he turnes it to a vertue, but an ill man doubles his fault.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 655 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
No sooner is a Temple built to God but the Devill builds a Chappell hard by.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 674 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
See also Martin Luther.
God’s Mill grinds slow, but sure.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 747 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Every one thinks his sacke heaviest.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 748 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Law sutes consume time, and mony, and rest, and friends.
[Lawsuits consume time, and money, and rest, and friends.]
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 776 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
He that feares death lives not.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 781 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Hee that marries for wealth sells his liberty.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 784 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
The best smell is bread, the best savour, salt, the best love that of children.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 7841 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
He thinkes not well, that thinkes not againe.
[He thinks not well, that thinks not again.]George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 836 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
It’s good tying the sack before it be full.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 842 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Poverty is no sinne.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 844 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
The Rich knowes not who is his friend.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 865 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
The Rich knowes not who is his friend.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 865 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
None knowes the weight of anothers burthen.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 880 (1651 ed.)
(Source)
Children when they are little make parents fooles, when they are great they make them mad.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 939 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Every mile is two in winter.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 949 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Manie things are lost for want of asking.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 968 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
No Church-yard is so handsom, that a man would desire straight to bee buried there.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 969 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Paines to get, care to keep, feare to lose.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 975 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Saint Luke was a Saint and a Physitian, yet is dead.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 1008 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Without danger we cannot get beyond danger.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 1010 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
When war begin, then hell openeth.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 1141 (1651 ed.)
(Source)
Wo be to him that reads but one book.
George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 1146 (1651 ed.)
(Source)
See this Latin proverb.
Wit’s an unruly engine, wildly striking
Sometimes a friend, sometimes the engineer.George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
The Temple, “The Church Porch,” l. 241 (1633)
Be calm in arguing: for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
The Temple, “The Church Porch,” l. 307 (1633)
Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame,
When once it is within thee.George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
The Temple, “The Church Porch,” ll. 25-26 (1633)
Dare to be true. Nothing can need a lie:
A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby.George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
The Temple, “The Church Porch,” ll. 77-78 (1633)
A civil guest
Will no more talk all, than eat all, the feast.George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Poem (1614), “The Church-Porch,” ll. 305-306, The Temple (1633)
(Source)
Benjamin Franklin quotes this poem (and, for a change, provides the attribution) in Poor Richard Improved (1748 ed.):Herbert, the poet, says,
—— a well bred guest,
Will no more talk all than eat all the feast.