The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Proverb

The fellow who comes into a bar optimistically, leave misty-optically.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DRUNK ; HUMOR ; Jest ; Maxim ; PLAY ON WORDS ; PROVERB ; PUN ; VERSE

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Proverb

Never explain: Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; enemies ; FRIENDS ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

Lazy man's version:

Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V600] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; LAZY ; Maxim ; PROCRASTINATION ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

A word to the wise is sufficient.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V600] crossed out. replaced with current classification.

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

He who laughs last, laughs best.

Submitter comment:

Told to me by my mother, 1956-57, in New York.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C880.400] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Laugh ; Laughter ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Omen:

There are old pilots / And there are bold pilots / But there are never old, bold, pilots.

Submitter comment:

This is taught to pilots early in their training - beware of being too confident - never step out of the realm of your experience.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P870] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Keyword(s): AGE ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Bold ; Maxim ; Old ; OMEN ; Pilot ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Step on a crack. Break your mother's back.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Back ; Crack ; Maxim ; MOTHER ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

No fool like an old fool

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): AGE ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Fool ; Maxim ; Old ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Death is nature's way of telling you to slow down.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V200] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; DEATH ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Absence ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; HEART ; LOVE ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Cup ; Lip ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; SLIP ; VERSE

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Proverb

Man proposes and God disposes

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Disposal ; Dispose ; God ; Maxim ; Proposal ; Propose ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

A job worth doing is worth doing well

Submitter comment:

From - uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

There's nothing certain but death and taxes.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Absolutes ; Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Certainty ; DEATH ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Taxes ; Uncertainty ; VERSE

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Proverb

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; COIN ; Earn ; Maxim ; MONEY ; Penny ; PROVERB ; Save ; VERSE

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Proverb

Speech of John F. Kennedy:

..."Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

Submitter comment:

J.F.K.'s closing remarks of his inaugural speech in 1960.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CHIASMUS ; Maxim ; PRESIDENT ; PROVERB ; SPEECH ; VERSE

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Proverb

Better Late than Never

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Late ; Maxim ; Never ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

If at first you don't succeed; try, try again.

Submitter comment:

Learned from her mother

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; Succeed ; SUCCESS ; Try ; VERSE

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Proverb

It is better to give than to receive.

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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Proverb

Truth is stranger than fiction

Submitter comment:

From - Uncertain

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; Maxim ; PROVERB ; VERSE

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