It may be convenient to state that the Dictionary has been compiled principally from Ray's collection, first published in 1670. The remainder of the proverbs have been collected from ancient and modern literature; but some few of them will not be found in any other published collection.
It only remains to remind the reader that this is a collection of ENGLISH Proverbs only; and we may appropriately conclude our Preface with a further extract from Disraeli's essay, wherein he very justly remarks that "The experience of life will throw a perpetual freshness over these short and simple texts; every day may furnish a new commentary; and we may grow old and still find novelty in proverbs by their perpetual application."
1. ABSENCE. Absence cools moderate passions, and inflames violent ones.
2. ABSENT. The absent are always at fault.
4. ACHING TEETH. Who hath aching teeth, hath ill tenants.
5. ADVERSITY. Adversity makes a man wise, not rich.
7. ADVERSITY. Adversity flattereth no man.
8. ADVICE. Give neither advice nor salt until you are asked for it.
9. ADVICE. What every one asks, what every one gives, but what very few take--advice.
10. ADVICE. In vain he craves advice who will not follow it.
11. ADVICE. Advice comes too late when a thing is done.
12. AFRAID OF WOUNDS. He that's afraid of wounds must not come nigh a battle.
An ague in the spring, Is physic for a king.
19. AGUES. Agues come on horseback, but go away on foot.
22. ALE. Good ale is meat, drink, and cloth.
He that buys land buys many stones, He that buys flesh buys many bones, He that buys eggs buys many shells, He that buys ale buys nothing else.
24. ALE-HOUSE. Every one has a penny to spend at a new ale-house.
25. ALL'S WELL. All's well that ends well.
28. ALMS. Steal the goose, and give the giblets in alms.
29. ANGER. Anger is short-lived in a good man.
30. ANGER. Keep from the anger of a great man.
31. ANGRY MEN. Angry men seldom want woe.
32. ANGRY. He that is angry without a cause must be pleased without amends.
33. ANOTHER'S BURDEN. None knows the weight of another's burden.
Apples, eggs, and nuts, One may eat after sluts.
35. APRIL. April and May are the keys of the year.
When April blows his horn, It's both good for hay and corn.