John Heywood quotes

John Heywood was an English writer, poet, and playwright of the Renaissance period, famed for his witty proverbs and interludes. His works contributed significantly to English literature, particularly through the use of humor and satire. He is remembered for compiling many well-known English sayings and for influencing later playwrights. Here are 144 of his quotes:

Rome was not built in one day.

John Heywood

Many handis make light warke.

John Heywood

The loss of wealth is loss of dirt, As sages in all times assert; The happy man's without a shirt.

John Heywood

Weddyng is desteny, And hangyng likewise.

John Heywood

A man may well bring a horse to the water, But he cannot make him drinke without he will.

John Heywood

Wolde ye bothe eate your cake, and haue your cake?

John Heywood

The nere to the churche, the ferther from God.

John Heywood

Thrée maie a kepe counsayle, if two be away.

John Heywood

The moone is made of a greene cheese.

John Heywood

When all candels be out, all cats be grey, All thingis are then of one colour, as who sey. And this prouerbe faith, for quenching hot desyre, Foul water as soone as fayre, will quenche hot fyre.

John Heywood

I know on which side my bread is buttred.

John Heywood

Though ye loue not to bye the pyg in the poke, Yet snatche ye at the poke, that the pyg is in, Not for the poke, but the pyg good chepe to wyn.

John Heywood

Who waite for dead men shall goe long barefoote.

John Heywood

Children and fooles cannot lye.

John Heywood

It is better to be An olde mans derlyng, than a yong mans werlyng.

John Heywood

Beggars should be no choosers.

John Heywood

This hitteth the nayle on the hed.

John Heywood

The rolling stone never gathereth mosse.

John Heywood

Som thingis that prouoke young men to wed in haste, Show after weddyng, that hast maketh waste.

John Heywood

The wise man sayth, store is no sore.

John Heywood

It will not out of the flesh that is bred in the bone.

John Heywood

I perfectly feele even at my fingers end.

John Heywood