A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

He who FIGHTS and runs away, may live to fight another day
The phrase to live to fight another day is also used allusively. Cf. MENANDER Sent. 56 (Jaekel) ^plL?'' a man who flees will fight again. The present form of the saying has superseded a pithy Middle English version: a 1250 Owl & Nightingale (1960) 1.176 ‘Wel fight that wel flight,’ seth the wise.
□1542 N. UDALL Erasmus’ ApophthegmsII. 335V That same manne, that renneth awaye, Maye again fight, an other daye. 1678 S. BUTLER Hudibras III. iii. For, those that fly, may fight againe, Which he can never do that’s slain. 1747 J. RAY Complete Hist. Rebellion 61 The Dragoons..thought proper..a sudden Retreat; as knowing that, He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another Day; But he that is in Battle slain, Will never rise to fight again. 1876 J. A. AULLS Sparks & Cinders 5 For be it known he kept in view That ancient adage, trite but true, That ‘He who fights and runs away, May live to fight another day.’ 1981 Daily Telegraph 10 June 2 (caption) He who fights and runs away.. lives to fight another day! ■discretion; ways and means
fill see FEBRUARY fill dyke, be it black or be it white; WORK expands so as to fill the time available.
find see the DEVIL finds work for idle hands to do; those who HIDE can find; LOVE will find a way; SAFE bind, safe find; SCRATCH a Russian and you find a Tartar; SEEK and ye shall find; SPEAK as you find; it is easy to find a STICK to beat a dog.
FINDERS keepers (losers weepers)
A colloquial variant of the succeeding proverb.
□1825 J. T. BROCKETT Glossary of North Country Words 89 No halfers—findee keepee, lossee seekee. 1856 C. READE Never too Late III. xiii. We have a proverb —’Losers seekers finders keepers.’ 1874 E. EGGLESTON Circuit Rider xv. If I could find the right owner of this money, I’d give it to him; but I take it he’s buried. .. ‘Finders, keepers,’ you know. 1969 Daily Express 17 Mar. 9 Where I come from it’s finders keepers, losers weepers. 2002 Washington Times 23 Jan. E4 (Crankshaft comic strip)’Mr. Crankshaft .. I think I left my pencil box on your bus! Can I look in your lost and found box?’ ‘Forget it..I don’t have one! Haven’t you ever heard of the legal concept “Finders keepers, losers weepers”?’ "gains and losses