WIST Quotations

Howell, James -- Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs” (1659) [compiler]

Dave — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:41:41 +0000

If the Sky fall we shall have Larks.

James Howell (c. 1594–1666) Welsh historian and writer
Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs” (1659) [compiler]
(Source)

See also Heywood (1546). The same page contains a variant:

When the Sky falls we shall catch Larks.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- Essay (1841), “Compensation,” Essays: First Series, No. 3

Dave — Mon, 22 May 2017 16:13:03 +0000

In general, every evil to which we do not succumb is a benefactor. As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
Essay (1841), “Compensation,” Essays: First Series, No. 3
(Source)

Heywood, John -- Proverbes, Part 1, ch. 4 (1546)

Dave — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:50:14 +0000

When the skie falth we shall have Larkes.

[When the sky falls, we shall have larks.]

John Heywood (1497?-1580?) English playwright and epigrammist
Proverbes, Part 1, ch. 4 (1546)
(Source)

See Howell (1659).

Bovee, Christian Nestell -- Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Compensation” (1862)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

It is some compensation for great evils that they enforce great lessons.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 1, “Compensation” (1862)
(Source)

Shakespeare, William -- Henry VI, Part 3, Act 2, sc. 5, l. 55 (2.5.55) (1591)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

SON: Ill blows the wind that profits nobody.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry VI, Part 3, Act 2, sc. 5, l. 55 (2.5.55) (1591)
(Source)