A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

(1837) II. i. He answered, smiling, ’Freits (omens) follow those who look to them.’..

Scott never saw him again. 1914 Times Literary Supplement 9 Apr. 178 The Kings of

Scots have always been beset by omens, and.. to him who follows freits, freits follow.

future; omens

folly see where IGNORANCE is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.

fonder see ABSENCE makes the heart grow fonder.

A FOOL and his money are soon parted

1573 T. TUSSER Husbandry (rev. ed.) ix. A foole and his money be soone at debate:

which after with sorow repents him too late. 1587 J. BRIDGES Defence of Government in

Church of England xv. 1294 A foole and his money is soone parted. 1616 T. DRAXE

Adages 166 A foole, and his money are soone parted. 1771 SMOLLETT Humphry Clinker

I. 174 She tossed her nose in distain, saying, she supposed her brother had taken him into

favour.. : that a fool and his money were soon parted. 1981 C. BERMANT Patriarch xx. I

can see now I was a fool, perhaps even a greedy fool, and a fool and his money are soon

parted. 2002 Washington Times 1 Jan. D4 (Herb & Jamaal comic strip) ‘Herb, you ought

to know better than to get mixed up in a get-rich scheme! It’s like the old saying: “A fool

and his money are soon parted.”’ ‘Yeah, you are right! So, how much did you lose?’

money; stupidity

A FOOL at forty is a fool indeed

Cf. 1557 R. EDGEWORTH Sermons 301 When he [Rehoboam] begonne hys raigne he was
one and fortye yeares of age. .. And he that hath not learned some experience or practice and
trade of the world by that age will neuer be wise.

1725 E. YOUNG Universal Passion II. 16 Be wise with speed; A fool at forty is a

fool indeed. 1751 N. COTTON Visions in Verses 13 He who at fifty is a fool, Is far too

stubborn grown for school. 1908 L. MITCHELL New York Idea III. 112 I shall come or

not [to your wedding] as I see fit. And let me add, my dear brother, that a fool at forty is a

fool indeed. 1982 B. EMECHETA Destination Biafra i. ‘What is it they say about a fool

at forty?’ ‘I don’t think you’ll be a fool forever, sir’. middle age; stupidity

There’s no FOOL like an old fool