A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

V

vacuum see NATURE abhors a vacuum.

vain see in vain the NET is spread in the sight of the bird.

valet see NO man is a hero to his valet.

valour see DISCRETION is the better part of valour.

VARIETY is the spice of life

Cf. EURIPIDES Orestes 234 , a change is always nice.

1785 COWPER TaskII. 76 Variety’s the very spice of life, That gives it all its

flavour. 1854 ‘M. LANGDON’ Ida May vi. Take all de wives you can get,—bariety am de

spite of life. 1954 ‘M. COST’ Invitation from Minerva 174 ‘Your signal is different from

ours?’.. ‘Variety is the spice of life,’ he retorted. 2002 Washington Post 7 Aug. C15

(Broom Hilda comic strip)’I have prepared our annual financial statement.’.. ‘Last year

you chewed it up and swallowed it.’ ‘Variety, lads. Spice of life and all that!’ novelty;

variety

varlet see an APE’S an ape, a varlet’s a varlet, though they be clad in silk or scarlet.

vengeance see REVENGE is a dish that can be eaten cold.

venture see NOTHING venture, nothing gain; NOTHING venture, nothing have.

vessel see EMPTY vessels make the most sound.

view see DISTANCE lends enchantment to the view; if you are not the LEAD dog, the
view never changes.