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Proverbial Wisdom

Express the idea behind each of these proverbs using different words as much as you can.

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The sayings in this puzzle are taken randomly from a list of 750 proverbial sayings.

Note: Many of these proverbs and quotations are in archaic English, and neither grammar nor spelling has been modernised.

1. Nature and Nature’s laws lay hid in night:
God said, ‘Let Newton be!’ and all was light.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

Epitaph intended for Sir Isaac Newton

2. The drying up a single tear has more
Of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.

George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)

Don Juan, Can. VIII, St. 3

3. Who has not known ill fortune, never knew
Himself or his own virtue.

James Thomson (1700-1748)

Alfred, Act I, Scene I

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