A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

trouble

cross (noun) see NO cross, no crown.

CROSSES are ladders that lead to heaven

There are two strands to the proverb, punning on two meanings of cross: in one, cross
signifies the crucifix; in the other, it means ‘trouble, misfortune’.

1616 T. DRAXE Adages 36 The Crosse is the ladder of heauen. 1670 J. RAY English

Proverbs 6 Crosses are ladders that do lead to heaven. 1859 S. SMILES Self-Help xi. If

there be real worth in the character.. it will give forth its finest fragrance when pressed.

‘Crosses’ says the old proverb, ‘are ladders that lead to heaven.’ 1975 J. O’FAOLAIN

Women in Wall iv. The cross, they say, is the ladder to heaven and so I have sent your

lordship.. two. misfortune

crow see (noun) on the FIRST of March, the crows begin to search; HAWKS will not pick
out hawks’ eyes; ONE for the mouse, one for the crow; (verb) every COCK will crow upon his
own dunghill; also CROWING.

crowd see TWO is company, but three is none.

crowing see a WHISTLING woman and a crowing hen are neither fit for God nor men.

crown see (verb) the END crowns the work; (noun) NO cross, no crown.

Don’t CRY before you’re hurt

Cf. early 14th-cent. Fr. follie fait plorer deuant que on soit batu.

1548 Reliquiœ Antiquœ (1843) II. 16 Ye may the better understand that I cry not

before I am pricked. 1678 J. RAY English Proverbs (ed. 2) 237 You cry before you’re

hurt. 1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 204 It is time enough to cry, Oh, when you are

hurt. Spoken to dissuade People from groundless Fears. 1930 N. B. MAVITY Other

Bullet xxviii. Don’t cry out before you’re hurt. 1981 J. WRIGHT Devil’s Parole xvi. You

mean.. that one shouldn’t cry before one is hurt. cowardice; expectation