Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Thorns

A man does not run among thorns for nothing: either he is chasing a snake or a snake is chasing him.Yoruba.

A myrtle among thorns is a myrtle still.

Barefooted men must not go amongst thorns.

Better one thorn plucked out than all remain.Horace.

From the thorn springs the rose, and from the rose the thorn.Modern Greek.

He knows well where the thorn pricks him.Italian.

He that handles thorns, shall smart for it.

He that scattereth thorns, must not go barefoot.

It early pricks that will be a thorn.

The point of the thorn is small but he who has felt it does not forget it.Italian.

The thorn comes into the world point foremost.

Thorns make the greatest crackling.

What profits you, only one thorn eradicated out of many.Horace.

While the shoe is on thy foot tread upon the thorns.

Without thorns no roses.German.