The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (536 page)
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sun
supper
He who SUPS with the Devil should have a long spoon
A proverb advocating caution when dealing with dangerous or malevolent persons.
c
1390
Squire's Tale
l. 602
Therfore bihoueth hire a ful long spoon That shal ete with a feend.
1545
tr.
Erasmus' Adages
(ed. 2) 9
V
He had nede to haue a longe spone that shuld eate with the deuyl.
1590
Comedy of Errors
IV
. iii. 59
He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil.—What tell'st thou me of supping?
1641
Scottish Proverbs
(STS) no. 350
He should have a long shafted spoon that sups kail [vegetable broth] with the devil.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
147
He had need of a long Spoon that sups Kail with the Dee'l. He that has to do with wicked .. Men, had need to be cautious.
1840
Ingoldsby Legends
1st Ser. 270
Who suppes with the Deville sholde have a longe spoone!
1920
Berry & Co
. v.
I'd rather watch from the stalk than assist him … Remember ‘Who sups with the devil should hold a long spoon.’
1979
Grave of Truth
viii.
Hindenburg and the army thought they could use [Hitler]… Who sups with the devil needs a long spoon.
associates
;
caution
;
peril
c1390
Squire's Tale
l. 602
Therfore bihoueth hire a ful long spoon That shal ete with a feend.
1545
tr.
Erasmus' Adages
(ed. 2) 9
V
He had nede to haue a longe spone that shuld eate with the deuyl.
1590
Comedy of Errors
IV
. iii. 59
He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil.—What tell'st thou me of supping?
1641
Scottish Proverbs
(STS) no. 350
He should have a long shafted spoon that sups kail [vegetable broth] with the devil.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
147
He had need of a long Spoon that sups Kail with the Dee'l. He that has to do with wicked .. Men, had need to be cautious.
1840
Ingoldsby Legends
1st Ser. 270
Who suppes with the Deville sholde have a longe spoone!
1920
Berry & Co
. v.
I'd rather watch from the stalk than assist him … Remember ‘Who sups with the devil should hold a long spoon.’
1979
Grave of Truth
viii.
Hindenburg and the army thought they could use [Hitler]… Who sups with the devil needs a long spoon.
associates;
caution
;
peril
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