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The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (465 page)

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A RISING tide lifts all boats
Principally known in the United States; one of several proverbs popularized by the Kennedy family. It is generally used in economic contexts, the
tide
being that of prosperity.
1963
Address
25 June in
Public papers of Presidents of U.S.
(1964) 519
As they say on my own Cape Cod, a rising tide lifts all the boats. And a partnership, by definition, serves both partners, without domination or unfair advantage.
1988
Washington Post
7 Mar. A12
The theory used to be that all Americans had a stake in prosperity. The comforting notion was that the rising tide would lift all boats. Now, however, both the theory and some of the boats have holes in them.
1990
Washington Times
6 Mar. C2
The country was in a sharp economic expansion coming out of '82. This made everybody look smart—you know, the rising tide lifts all boats.
1995
Washington Times
21 Apr. A20
John Kennedy said a rising tide lifts all boats. Very true. But we should also bear in mind the corollary: An ebbing tide lowers all boats.
good fortune
The ROAD to hell is paved with good intentions
Earlier forms of the proverb omit the first three words. Cf. ST. FRANCIS DE SALES,
Letter
lxxiv.
le proverbe tiré de notre saint Bernard
,
‘L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés ou désirs’
,
the proverb taken from our St. Bernard
, ‘Hell is full of good intentions or desires.’
1574
tr.
Guevara's Epistles
205
Hell is full of good desires.
1654
Observations on Manners of English
203
It is a saying among Divines, that Hell is full of good Intentions, and Meanings.
1736
Journal
10 July (1910) I.
I
. 246
It is a true saying,‘Hell is paved with good intentions.’
1847
Shadows of Clouds
ix.
I shall have nothing to hand in, except intentions,—what they say the road to the wrong place is paved with.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
514
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
1986
Death for Adonis
viii.
His first marriage .. was the result of my interference. Good intentions do pave the way to hell.
action and inaction
;
intentions
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