A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

In reality they were prisoners of the past and (in the apt if trite Japanese phrase) ‘frogs in

a well’. [footnote] I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu (the frog in the well knows

nothing of the great ocean). 2006 ‘Oregon Caves’ on http://www.nps.gov 11 Sept. Amphibians..

‘The frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean.’ 2007 D. KENNEDY ‘Faust—The

Seven Games of the Soul’ on http://www.justadventure.com 14 Feb. The paper reads ‘The frog

in the well knows nothing about the high seas.’ Recall that there is a well outside the

house. experience; ignorance

frost see so many MISTS in March, so many frosts in May.

When all FRUIT fails, welcome haws

Often used specifically of a person who takes of necessity an older or otherwise unsuitable
lover.

1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 350 When all Fruit fa’s welcome ha’s. .. Spoken

when we take up with what’s coarse, when the good is spent. 1914 K. F. PURDON Folk of

Furry Farm vii. ‘Lame of a leg, and grey in the head!.. That’s a fancy man for a girl to

take!’ ‘Marg was none too young herself.. and when all fruit fails, welcome haws! She

wanted someone.’ 1958 B. BEHAN Borstal Boy III. 266 So even the excommunicated

will do, when it’s not easy to get anyone else. When all fruit fails, welcome haws.

necessity; old age

fruit see also he that would EAT the fruit must climb the tree; SEPTEMBER blow soft, till
the fruit’s in the loft; STOLEN fruit is sweet; the TREE is known by its fruit.

FULL cup, steady hand

Used especially to caution against spoiling a comfortable or otherwise enviable situation
by careless action.

c 1025 Durham Proverbs (1956) 15 Swa fulre fæt swa hit mann sceal fægror beran

[the more full the cup, the more carefully must one carry it]. c 1325 Proverbs of Hending

i n Anglia (1881) IV. 293 When the coppe is follest, thenne ber hire feyrest. 1721 J.

KELLY Scottish Proverbs 346 When the Cup’s full carry it even. When you have arrived

at Power and Wealth, take a care of Insolence, Pride, and Oppression. 1889 C. M.

YONGE in Monthly Packet Christmas 46 Poor things! They were so happy—so open-

hearted. I did long to caution them. ‘Full cup, steady hand.’ 1903 G. H. KNIGHT