Arab proverb. The ‘learned Arab of the twelfth century’ (quot. 1923). has not been
identified.
1876 E. RECLUS et al. Earth and Its Inhabitants 401 ‘All things fear time,’ says the
Arab proverb, ‘but time fears the pyramids. 1923 G. CAROTTI History of Art 9 It was a
learned Arab of the twelfth century who said: ‘The whole world fears time, but time fears
the Pyramids.’ 1926 A. F. TOULBA Ceylon, Land of Eternal Charm 228 Here also, as in
my own country, can we aptly apply the familiar saying ‘Man fears Time, but Time fears
the Pyramids.’ 1983 Times 19 Feb. (online) Khufu, first Pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty..
built a tomb that should remain for all time. It is written that ‘Man fears Time, but Time
fears the Pyramids.’ 2006 Register (www.theregister.co.uk) 26 Dec. The Great Pyramid of
Giza is the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders of the World. An Arab proverb says that:
‘Man fears time, yet time fears the Pyramids’, a reference to the fact that the pyramid has
survived for about 4,500 years. timeNo TIME like the present1562 G. LEGH Accidence of Armoury 225 V Mary [to be sure] sir no time better then
euen now. 1696 M. MANLEY Lost Lover IV. i. No time like the present. 1888 M.
OLIPHANT Second Son I. iv. ‘If you were a-passing this way, sir, some time in the
morning—.’ ‘There’s no time like the present,’ answered Roger. 2000 ‘G. WILLIAMS’
Dr. Mortimer and Aldgate Mystery (2001) i. 7 ‘.. I was thinking in terms of an immediate
start..’ ‘Oh, capital!’ the doctor exclaimed. .. ‘No time like the present, hey?’
opportunity; timeTIME will tellCf. MENANDER Monosticha 11 H time brings the
truth to light.
1539 R. TAVERNER tr. Erasmus’ Adages 37 Tempus omnia reuelat. Tyme
discloseth all thynges. 1616 T. DRAXE Adages 205 Time reuealeth all things. 1771 C.
STUART Letter 15 Apr. in Publications of Mississippi Hist. Society (1925) V. 50 Time
only will shew how far those Informations have been well founded. 1863 C. READE Hard
Cash I. vi. I will answer.. that she will speak as distinctly to music as you do in
conversation—Time will show, madam. 1913 E. H. PORTER Pollyanna xxiii. The doctor
had looked very grave.. and had said that time alone could tell. 1929 ‘J. J. CONNING-
TON’ Eye in Museum xiv. ‘I’m not.. bringing any charge.’..’Oh.. a bright idea, perhaps.
Or perhaps not so bright.’ ‘Time will tell,’ the Superintendent retorted. 2002 New