The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (325 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs

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linen

see
never CHOOSE your women or your linen by candlelight
;
one does not WASH one's dirty linen in public
.

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lining

see
every CLOUD has a silver lining
.

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link

see
a CHAIN is no stronger than its weakest link
.

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linstock

(a forked staff to hold a lighted match): see
the COBBLER to his last and the gunner to his linstock
.

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lion

see
a LIVE dog is better than a dead lion
;
MARCH comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb
;
a MOUSE may help a lion
.

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lip

see
there's MANY a slip between cup and lip
.

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LISTENERS never hear any good of themselves
.

Eavesdroppers
is now very usual for
listeners
.

1647
Mercurius Elencticus
26 Jan.–2 Feb. 76
The old Proverb is, Hearkners never heare good of them selves.
1678
English Proverbs
(ed. 2) 75
Listners ne'er hear good of themselves.
1839
Nicholas Nickleby
xlii.
‘If it is fated that listeners are never to hear any good of themselves,’ said Mrs. Browdie, ‘I can't help it, and I am very sorry for it’.
1881
Uncle Remus
X.
Brer Fox wuz stannin' at de back do' wid one year at de cat-hole lissenin'. Eave-drappers don't hear no good er deyse'f, en de way Brer Fox was 'bused dat day wuz a caution.
1907
Enchanted Castle
v.
He .. opened the door suddenly, and there .. was Eliza.. ‘You know what listeners never hear,’ said Jimmy severely.
1977
Evil Streak
IV. 178
They say listeners never hear any good of themselves but there is no excuse for .. ingratitude.
1992
Rather English Marriage
(1993) xvii. 289
‘Eavesdroppers never hear good of themselves,’ Grace would have said, and she'd have been right.