The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROVERBIAL MAXIM

WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG THEY STEP ON YOUR TOES;
WHEN THEY ARE OLD THEY STEP ON YOUR HEART.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS SAID BY THE INFORMANT IN TELLING OF THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE WAY CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG AFFECT THE
PARENTS AND THE WAY THEY DO WHEN THEY ARE OLDER. SHE WAS
CONTRASTING THE WAY THAT A PARENT WORRIES AOBUT HIS
CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG AND THE WAY WHEN THEY ARE
OLDER. SHE SAID SHE HAD HEARD THIS VERSE ALL HER LIFE,
(IN) NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, AND EVEN TODAY (1972).

Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

Date learned: 00-00-1972