Proverbial Wisdom

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

577. It’s gude to be merry and wise,
It’s gude to be honest and true,
It’s good to be off wi’ the old love
Before ye be on wi’ the new.

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

The Bride of Lammermoor, Ch. XXIX.
Misquoting an old Scottish song.

578. A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword.

Robert Burton (1577-1640)

Anatomy of Melancholy, Part I, Section II, Member IV

579. He is as cowardly
That longer fears to live, as he that fears to die.

Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650)

The Purple Island, Can. X, St. VIII

580. Society is now one polish’d horde,
Form’d of two mighty tribes, the Bores and Bored.

George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)

Don Juan, Can. VIII, St. 95

581. That in the captain’s but a cholerick word,
Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Measure for Measure (Angelo), Act II, Scene III

582. Ill news hath wings, and with the wind doth go;
Comfort’s a cripple, and comes ever slow.

Michael Drayton (15631631)

The Baron’s Wars, Bk II, XXVIII