Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.
Gift (Presents)
A gift in the hand is better than two promises.La Fontaine.
A gift long wished for is sold not given.
A gift with a kind countenance is a double present.
A good offer should never be refused unless we have a better one at the same time.Benjamin Disraeli.
A good present need not knock long for admittance.
A man may be kind an’ gie little o’ his gear.
A man’s gift makes room for him.
A present blindeth the eyes.
A present is cheap but love is dear.Russian.
A slight gift, small thanks.
A small gift is better than a great promise.German.
A well is not to be filled with dew. (Referring to trifling gifts.)Arabian.
Accept the largess of thy friend as if thou wert an enemy.Turkish.
Beware of him who makes you presents.Italian.
Fair is he that comes, but fairer he that brings.French.
Gifts are according to the giver.German.
Gifts are often losses.Italian.
Gifts break (or dissolve) rocks.Spanish, Portuguese.
Gifts from enemies are dangerous.
Gifts make beggars bold.
Gifts make friendship lasting.Danish.
Great gifts are for great men.
He doubles his gifts who gives in time.
He that bringeth a present finds the door open.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house, but he that hateth gifts shall live.Bible.
He that is won with a nut may be lost with an apple.
I fear the Greeks even when they are offering presents.Virgil.
Nothing freer than a gift.
No purchase like a gift.French.
One gift well given recovereth many losses.
Presents break rocks.Don Quixote.
Presents keep friendship warm.German.
Presents make the water to run back.German.
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.Shakespeare.
Secret gifts are openly rewarded.Danish.
Small favors conciliate, but great gifts make enemies.Latin.
Take gifts with a sigh, most men give to be paid.John Boyle O’Reilly.
The gift bringer always finds an open door.German.
The gift of an enemy is no better than an injury.Modern Greek.
The gifts of enemies are not gifts and are worthless.Sophocles.
The giver makes the gift precious.Latin.
Vinegar for nothing is as sweet as honey.Modern Greek.
We never profit by the gifts of the wicked.Latin.
What is bought is cheaper than a gift.Italian, Portuguese.
What’s freer than a gift?
What’s of no use is too dear as a gift.German.
Whatever is given to the poor is laid up in Heaven.