The SUN loses nothing by shining into a puddleCf. DIOGENES LAERTIUS VI. lxiii. the sun
shines into dung but is not tainted (attributed to Diogenes); TERTULLIAN De Spectaculis xx.
sol et in cloacam radios suos defert nec inquinatur, the sun spreads his rays even into the
sewer, and is not stained.
1303 R. BRUNNE Handlyng Synne (EETS) 1. 2299 The sunne, hys feyrnes neuer he
tynes [loses], Thoghhyt on the mukhepe shynes. c 1390 CHAUCER Parson’s Tale 1. 911
Though that hooly writ speke of horrible synne, certes hooly writ may nat been defouled,
namoore than the sonne that shyneth on the mixne [midden]. 1578 LYLY Euphues I. 193
The Sun shineth vppon the dungehill and is not corrupted. 1732 T. FULLER Gnomologia
no. 4776 The Sun is never the worse for shining on a Dunghill. 1943 E. M.
ALMEDINGEN Frossia iv. Dreadful words did fly about then, but the sun loses nothing
by shining into a puddle. associates; great and smallsun see also happy is the BRIDE that the sun shines on; MAKE hay while the sun shines;
there is NOTHING new under the sun.
sunny see if CANDLEMAS day be sunny and bright, winter will have another flight.supper see AFTER dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile; HOPE is a good breakfast
but a bad supper.
He who SUPS with the Devil should have a long spoonA proverb advocating caution when dealing with dangerous or malevolent persons.c 1390 CHAUCER Squire’s Tale 1. 602 Therfore bihoueth hire a ful long spoon That
shal ete with a feend. 1545 R. TAVERNER tr. Erasmus’ Adages (ed. 2) 9V He had nede to
haue a longe spone that shuld eate with the deuyl. 1590 SHAKESPEARE Comedy of
Errors IV. iii. 59 He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil.—What tell’st
thou me of supping? 1641 D. FERGUSSON Scottish Proverbs (STS) no. 350 He should
have a long shafted spoon that sups kail [vegetable broth] with the devil. 1721 J. KELLY
Scottish Proverbs 147 He had need of a long Spoon that sups Kail with the Dee’l. He that
has to do with wicked.. Men, had need to be cautious. 1840 R. H. BARHAM Ingoldsby