A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

In this form, from a remark made by Napoleon to the Polish ambassador De Pradt (D. G.
De Pradt Histoire de l’Ambassade.. (1815) 215), following the retreat from Moscow in 1812:
Du sublime au ridicule il n’y a qu’un pas, there is only one step from the sublime to the
ridiculous. The idea, however, was not original to Napoleon: 1795 T. PAINE Age of Reason II.
20 The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them
separately. One step above the sublime, makes the ridiculous; and one step above the
ridiculous, makes the sublime again.

1879 M. PATTISON Milton 116 The Hague tittle-tattle.. is set forth in the pomp of

Milton’s loftiest Latin. .. The sublime and the ridiculous are here blended without the

step between. 1909 Times Literary Supplement 17 Dec. 492 In the case of Louis XVIII,

indeed, the ridiculous was, as it is commonly said to be, only a step removed from the

sublime. 1940 W. & E. MUIR tr. L. Feuchtwanger’s Paris Gazette II. xxxviii. From the

sublime to the ridiculous is only a step, but there’s no road that leads back from the

ridiculous to the sublime. 1983 ‘M. INNES‘ Appleby & Honeybath iii. ‘At least,’ he said,

‘we can now go next door. Architecturally speaking, it’s to move from the sublime to the

ridiculous’. great and small

If at first you don’t SUCCEED, try, try, try again

The short poem Try (try) again was often quoted in nineteenth-century children’s
literature, especially in the United States (see quot. 1840). It is popularly attributed to W. E.
Hickson, who quoted it (with three try’s) in his Moral Songs (1857) p. 8, but Palmer’s use is
earlier. The saying was soon used independently as a proverb.

1840 T. H. PALMER Teacher’s Manual 223 ‘Tis a lesson you should heed, Try, try

again. If at first you do n’t succeed, Try, try again. 1915 E. B. HOLT Freudian Wish iii.

The child is frustrated, but not instructed; and it is in the situation where, later on in life,

we say to ourselves, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again!’ a 1979 A.

CHRISTIE Miss Marple’s Final Cases 39 You mustn’t give up, Mr. Rossiter, ‘If at first

you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.’ 2001 Washington Times 3 Aug. A17 John F. Harris

reports, ‘Bill Clinton this week will begin a second attempt at beginning his ex-

presidency.’ (If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.) perseverance; success

succeed see also NOTHING succeeds like success.

SUCCESS has many fathers, while failure is an orphan