A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

ugly.

1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs I. V. B2 As this prouerbe saieth, for

quench-yng hot desire, Foul water as soone as fayre, wyl quenche hot fire. 1796

COBBETT Political Censor Sept. 62 That I have made use.. of the British Corporal for a

good purpose, I have little doubt—Dirty water will quench fire. 1945 O. ONIONS Ragged

Robin vi. It’s flocks and straw for us. .. Well, dirty water’s good enough to quench a fire

with. 1995 A. G. TAYLOR Simeon’s Bride xxvi. 173 She had the thick ugly feet of a

streetwalker. .. How could anyone go with her?’ Dewi shrugged. ‘They do say dirty water

puts out fire just as well.’ necessity; ways and means

dirty see also it’s an ILL bird that fouls its own nest; don’t THROW out your dirty water
until you get in fresh; one does not WASH one’s dirty linen in public.

disappointed see BLESSED is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

DISCRETION is the better part of valour

Cf. EURIPIDES Suppliants 1. 510 and bravery consists in
foresight; c 1477 CAXTON Jason (EETS) 23 Than as wyse and discrete he withdrewe him
sayng that more is worth a good retrayte than a folisshe abydinge.

1597–8 SHAKESPEARE Henry IV, Pt. 1 v. iv. 121 The better part of valour is

discretion; in the which better part, I have saved my life. 1885 C. LOWE Prince Bismarck

I. v. Napoleon.. had vowed that he would free Italy ‘from the Alps to the Adriatic’, but..

he acted on the maxim that discretion is the better part of valour. 2002 Washington Times

12 Jan. F10 (Fox Trot comic strip) ‘Who knew you weren’t supposed to club him or kick

him or lob fireballs, just because he’s huge and fierce and can squash you at will!’

‘You’ve heard the saying, “Discretion is the better part of valor”? Think of this as a

valuable life lesson.’ discretion; prudence

disease see DESPERATE diseases must have desperate remedies.

disgrace see POVERTY is no disgrace, but it is a great inconvenience.

dish see BETTER are small fish than an empty dish; REVENGE is a dish that can be eaten
cold.