Exercises

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. He that first cries out ‘Stop thief!’ is often he that has stolen the treasure.

William Congreve (1670-1729)

Love for Love (Scandal), Act III, Scene XIV

2. ’Tis not in mortals to command success;
But we’ll do more, Sempronius: we’ll deserve it.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

Cato (Portius), Act I, Scene II

3. Few love to hear the sins they love to act.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Pericles (Pericles), Act I, Scene I

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