A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs II. ix. K4 Who is so deafe, or so blynde, as is hee, That wilfully will nother here nor see? c 1570 T. INGELEND Disobedient Child C2^V I perceyve by thys geare, That none is so deaf, as who wyll not heare. 1766 in B. Franklin Papers (1969) XIII. 18 I have not interfered in this Trial one word, only in my Applications to you and Mr. Foxcraft, both of which turn a deaf Ear: for none so deaf as those who will not hear. 1993 F. SECOMBE ‘Hello, Vicar!’ in Chronicles of a Vicar (1999) i. 8 ‘Don’t worry, Vicar. Of course you’ve got to be up at the parish church more than here. He ought to know that but there you are, there’s none so deaf as him who won’t listen.’ ^obstinacy

A DEAF husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple

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  1578 J. FLORIO First Fruits 26 There neuer shal be chiding in that house, where the man is blynd, and the wife deafe. 1637 T. HEYWOOD Pleasant Dialogues VI. 334 Then marriage may be said to be past in all quietnesse, When the wife is blind, and the husband deafe. 1940 H. W. THOMPSON Body, Boots & Britches xix. When the wooing is o’er and the maid wed.. the neighbours will observe.. ‘A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple.’ 1988 Washington Times 8 July E2 Nothing brings out advice mongers like a summer wedding. .. ‘A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple.’ ■ harmony and disharmony; marriage
  

dear see EXPERIENCE keeps a dear school; GOLD may be bought too dear.
dear-bought see FAR-FETCHED and dear-bought is good for ladies.
dearest see BUY in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest.
DEATH is the great leveller
Cf. CLAUDIAN De Raptu Proserpinae II. 302 omnia mors aequat, death levels all things.

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