A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

an ill bird that fouls its own nest. 2000 C. GOFF Rant of Ravens i. 2 Miriam cleared her

throat. ‘It’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest, dear. If you ask me, it’s about time you

dumped him.’ malice

ILL gotten goods never thrive

Cf. CICERO PhilippicaII. xxvii. 65 male parta, male dilabuntur, things ill gotten slip away
in evil ways. A less colourful saying on the same theme as what is GOT over the Devil’s back
is spent under his belly.

1519 W. HORMAN Vulgaria 77 Euyll gotten ryches wyll neuer proue longe. c 1577

J. NORTHBROOKE Treatise.. Dicing 95 Euill gotten goods shall neuer prosper. 1609

JONSON Case is Altered V. xii. Ill gotten goods ne’er thriue, I plaid the thiefe, and now

am robd my selfe. 1670 J. RAY English Proverbs 98 Ill gotten goods, seldom prosper.

1826 C. LAMB Elia’s Last Essays (1833) ii. That ill-gotten gain never prospers..is the

trite consolation administered to the easy dupe, when he has been tricked out of his

money or estate. 1937 D. L. SAYERS Busman’s Honeymoon x. Ill gotten goods never

thrive... Because he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor. action and consequence;

retribution

He that has an ILL name is half hanged

a 1400 in C. Brown Religious Lyrics of XlVth Century (1957) 193 Ho-so hath a

wicked name Me semeth for sothe half hongid he is. 1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of

Proverbs II. vi. I2 He that hath an yll name, is halfe hangd. 1614 T. ADAMS Devil’s

Banquet IV. 156 It is a very ominous and suspitious thing to haue an ill name. The

Prouerbe saith, he is halfe hanged. 1897 M. A. S. HUME Raleigh xii. Were.. not an ill

name half hanged.. he would have been acquitted. reputation

It’s ILL waiting for dead men’s shoes

The earlier form of the proverb, exemplified in quots. c 1549 and 1721, is no longer found.
The metaphorical phrase to wait for dead men’s shoes is also illustrated below.

1530 J. PALSGRAVE L’éclaircissement de la Langue Française 306 V Thou lokest

after deed mens shoes. c 1549 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs I. xi. C5 Who waitth

for dead men shoen, shal go long barfote. 1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 148 He goes

long bare Foot that wears dead Mens Shoon. Spoken to them who expect to be some