The labourer is worthy of his hire
Anyone who works for someone else deserves to be paid for it, if not in cash, then in kind. The source is Luke, x, 7. Jesus sent seventy... Read more →
Keep something for a rainy day
Here 'rainy day' means 'time of trouble or misfortune'. The advice given is: 'You may be earning good money now, but don't spend it all. Put... Read more →
A Jack of all trades is master of none
Here 'Jack' is a name for a general labourer, one who does odd jobs and can turn his hand to anything. A 'trade' in this sense is a occupation -... Read more →
Idle folk have the least leisure
People who are lazy by nature are so reluctant to take on work that they give the impressions of having no spare time. In addition, they spend... Read more →
Half a loaf is better than no bread
We should be thankful for what we receive, even though it is not so much as we had hoped for. I applied for a fortnight's holiday, but we're so... Read more →
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Take advantage of your opportunities before it is too late, for Life is short and time is swift. The proverb comes from Robert Herrick's poem To... Read more →
Faint heart never won fair lady
These are words of encouragement to shy suitors. They recommend boldness, for none but the brave deserves the fair and fortune favours the bold.
The early bird catches the worm
A person who gets up early in the morning has the best chance of success. Good advice to those who get up late in the morning, or miss... Read more →
Dead men tell no tales
Death silences a man for ever. If he knows something in his lifetime that others do not want made public, he cannot reveal their secret when he... Read more →
The darkest hour is that before the dawn
Even when things seem at their very worst, they may shortly improve.