A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Herbs here is used in the archaic sense of’plants of which the leaves are used as food’, and
a stalled ox is one that is fattened in a stall for slaughter. With allusion to PROVERBS xv. 17
(Geneva (1560) translation, which is closely followed by AV) Better is a dinner of green herbs
where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

1817 S. SMITH Letter 13 Mar. in S. Holland Memoir (1855) II. 138 When you think

of that amorous and herbivorous parish of Covent Garden, and compare it with my

agricultural benefice, you will say, ‘Better is the dinner of herbs where love is, than the

stalled ox,’ etc. etc. 1914 ‘SAKI’ Beasts & Super-Beasts 227 The ox had finished the

vase-flowers.. and appeared to be thinking of leaving its rather restricted quarters. .. I

forget how the proverb runs. .. Something about ‘better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox

where hate is’. 1979 J. DRUMMOND I saw Him Die viii. Lunch was a silent affair. .. I

said, ‘“Better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is.” ‘ content and

discontent; food and drink; malice

BETTER a good cow than a cow of a good kind

A good character is better than a distinguished family.

1922 J. BUCHAN Huntingtower X. I’m no weel acquaint wi’ his forbears, but I’m

weel eneuch acquaint wi’ Sir Erchie, and ‘better a guid coo than a coo o’ a guid kind’, as

my mither used to say. family; human nature

BETTER are small fish than an empty dish

1678 J. RAY English Proverbs 204 Better are small fish then an empty dish. 1862 A.

HISLOP Proverbs of Scotland 171 Sma’ fish are better than nane. 1874 painted on

cornice at Ascott House, Wing, Bucks., UK. Better are small fish than an empty dish.

1971 J. GLUSKI Proverbs 133 Better are small fish than an empty dish. 2000 Pravda

(English version, online ed.) 17 Oct. Why should the great ones of this world settle such

particular questions? However, the answer is simple: better a small fish than an empty

dish. content and discontent

BETTER be an old man’s darling, than a young man’s slave

1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs II. vii. 13V Many yeres sens, my mother

seyd to me, Hyr elders wold saie, it ys better to be An olde mans derlyng, then a yong

mans werlyng [object of scorn]. 1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 74 Better an old Man’s