[105:D] The sieve re-appears very graphically again in this: "A grain does not fill a sieve, but it helps its companion to do so." [107:A] Another expressive proverb tells that, "Courtiers are shod with watermelon rind," a somewhat slippery and uncertain foot-gear, rendering one's footing not particularly safe. [108:A] "In prosperity no altars smoke" is like unto it. This too is Italian. [109:A] The old English proverb declares that "By the Street of By-and-by one arrives at the House of Never." [110:A] "To send you any news from hence were to little purpose, ours being little else but the translation of English or French; and to send you our news from England were to carry coals to Newcastle."--"Thoresby Correspondence," 1682. [117:A] The French adage, "À barbe de fou on apprendre à raire" is very similar. [119:A] As, for instance, "The Oji Language, with a Collection of Native Proverbs," by the Rev. H. N. Riis. The sketch of the Akra language by the Rev. J. Zimmerman, of the Efik language by the Rev. Hugh Goldie, of the Yoruba by the Rev. J. Bowen, all give many examples of proverbs. [120:A] The Italians say, "Piuma a piuma se pela l'occha," feather by feather the goose was stripped. [120:B] This recurs in the French, "Petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid." CHAPTER V Proverbs that are misunderstood -- The Cheese -- Raining Cats and Dogs -- Cattle-harrying -- The Bitter End -- By Hook or Crook -- Proverbs of Evil Teaching -- Necessity has no Law -- The Peck of Dirt -- Howl with the Wolves -- Sarcasm in Proverbs -- The Fool -- Selfishness -- The Praise of Truth -- The Value of Time -- Death -- The Conduct of Life -- Occupations that supply Proverbs -- The Barber, Tailor, Cobbler, Physician, Lawyer, and others -- The Cowl and the Monk -- The Long Bow -- The Meditative Angler -- Sayings associated with particular Individuals -- Hobson and his Choice -- Plowden's Law -- Mortimer's Bow -- The Wisdom of Doddipol -- The Fear of Mrs Grundy's Opinion -- Locality Proverbs -- Rustic Humour -- Local Products -- Tenterden Steeple. Though in the great majority of cases the significance of a proverb is more or less apparent on consideration, and when discovered is more or less helpful to the conduct of life, we from time to time encounter adages that have achieved some considerable popularity and yet are quite misunderstood, or are entirely unsound in teaching. Comparatively few proverbs reach the highest plane; they are mostly content to supply good work-a-day maxims for a man's prosperity and easy passage through this life, but occasionally self-interest is carried to a point where principle is lost sight of, and the result is wholly evil.