Proverb Gallery

Favourite Sayings - You can't catch the wind in a net

Black and white lantern slide of a man standing on a bank holding a rod with a net painted in at the end. Painted background of countryside.. Part of Box 197 Sayings, Boswell Collection. You can't catch the wind in a net. Lantern slide creations of C. H. Spurgeon's (a British Particular Baptist preacher, 1834-1892) illustrated John Ploughman's Pictures. Date: circa 1890s

© The Boswell Collection, Bexley Heritage Trust / Mary Evans

Popular proverb

When the cat's away the mice will play'. Art Deco style image of children at play illustrating that when a person in authority is away, those under the person's rule will enjoy their freedom. Artist: Gladys Peto Date: circa 1925

© Mary Evans/Peter & Dawn Cope Collection

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Belgian Proverb - Needing help, no matter whom provides it

Belgian Proverb - "Everyone needs someone to look down on" - It simply means you may need help from a "lower class" person, even if you are a "high class" person: if you're drowning and there is only a tramp around, you'll need help from the tramp, whatever your social class is... Date: circa 1908

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection