A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

CHILDREN are certain cares, but uncertain comforts

The sense is reversed in the last quotation.

1639 J. CLARKE Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina 240 Children are uncertaine comforts,

but certaine cares. 1641 R. BRATHWAIT English Gentleman (ed. 3) 27 Children reflect

constant cares, but uncertaine comforts. 1732 T. FULLER Gnomologia no. 1095 Children

are certain Cares, but uncertain comforts. 1885 E. J. HARDY How to be Happy though

Married xvi. Children are not ‘certain sorrows and uncertain pleasures’ when properly

managed. 1915 J. WEBSTER Dear Enemy 203 My new little family has driven

everything out of my mind. Bairns are certain joy, but nae sma’ care. children and

parents

CHILDREN should be seen and not heard

Originally applied specifically to (young) women.

c 1400 J. MIRK Festial (EETS) I. 230 Hyt ys an old Englysch sawe [saying]: ‘A

mayde schuld be seen, but not herd.’ 1560 T. BECON Works I. Bbb2 This also must

honest maids provide, that they be not full of tongue. .. A maid should be seen, and not

heard. 1773 R. GRAVES Spiritual Quixote I. III. xviii. It is a vulgar maxim, ‘that a pretty

woman should rather be seen than heard’. 1820 J. Q. ADAMS Memoirs (1875) V. xii. My

dear mother’s constant lesson in childhood, that children in company should be seen and

not heard. 1959 M. BRADBURY Eating People is Wrong ii. ‘You think that children

should be seen and not heard then?’ asked the novelist. 2002 Times 2 2 May 8 But

although mothers may not want to draw attention to themselves,.. there is never any

guarantee that their baby.. has yet learnt the old maxim that children should be seen and

not heard. children; manners

children see also the DEVIL’S children have the Devil’s luck; FOOLS and bairns should
never see half-done work; HEAVEN protects children, sailors, and drunken men.

chip see a CARPENTER is known by his chips.

choice see you PAYS your money and you takes your choice; SMALL choice in rotten
apples.