The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

(PROVERB)

SOME GUY WHO WAS A GREAT TRACK STAR IN GREEK TIMES
STARTED TO BRAG HOW GREAT HE WAS. COME THE DAY OF THE
ATHENS-SPARTA MARATHON, AND HE WAS UP FOR IT. HIS
TRADE MARK BESIDES WINNING, WAS HIS CLOTHES, BECAUSE
HE WAS POOR. HE SAVED UP AND FOR THE BIG RACE HE
BOUGHT SHEEP WAX TO POLISH UP HIS CLOTHES SO THEY
LOOKED EXPENSIVE. THE RACE BEGINS. HE RAN AS HARD
AND AS LONG AS HE COULD. ALAS AND ALACK HE WAS
BEATEN.
MORAL: DON'T GLOSS YOUR BRITHCES AFORE YOU RUN IN
THEM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): DON'T CROSS YOUR BRIDGES BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM.

Date learned: 10-20-1970