Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.
Mutability of Fortune
A hundred years a banner, a hundred years a barrow. (A very old French proverb signifying the changeful fortunes of great feudal families.)Bohn.
A nobody to-day, a prince to-morrow.Latin.
Change of fortune is the lot of life.
Change yourself and fortune will change with you.Portuguese.
Every ten years one man has need of another.Italian.
He fell to-day, I may fall to-morrow.Latin.
In a hundred years’ time princes are peasants,
And in a hundred and ten, peasants are princes.
Once he was a hammer, now he is an anvil.
That which is his lot to-day, may be yours to-morrow.Latin.
To-day a knight, to-morrow a beggar.German.
To-day a man, to-morrow a mouse.
To-day for money, to-morrow for nothing.German, Dutch.
To-day gold, to-morrow dust.
To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth.German.
To-day in gold, to-morrow in the mould.Danish.
To-day red, to-morrow dead.German, Dutch.
To-day stately and brave, to-morrow in the grave.Dutch.
Who to-day was a haughty knight,
Is to-morrow a penniless wight.Dutch.
Yesterday a cow-herd, to-day a cavalier.Spanish.
You used to be a baker, though now you wear gloves.Spanish.