A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

The FIRST duty of a soldier is obedience
The last quotation presents a variation of the proverb.

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  1847 J. GRANT Romance of War IV. xv. ‘What do the wiseacres at head-quarters mean, in sending a detachment there?’ ‘I suppose they scarcely know themselves. But obedience—We all know the adage.’ 1872 G. J. WHYTE-MELVILLE Satanella II. xxiv. ‘The first duty of a soldier is obedience,’ he answered in great glee. 1915 F. M. HUEFFER Good Soldier III. iii. She had been taught all her life that the first duty of a woman is to obey. ■ obedience; soldiers
  

FIRST impressions are the most lasting

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  1700 CONGREVE Way of World IV i. How shall I receive him?.. There is a great deal in the first Impression. 1791 H. JACKSON in Publications of Colonial Society of Massachusetts (1954) XXXVI. 112 I am affraid it is too late.. and you know that first impressions are the most lasting. 1844 DICKENS Martin Chuzzlewit v. I didn’t like to run the chance of being found drinking it.. for first impressions, you know, often go a long way, and last a long time. 1926 R. M. OGDEN Psychology & Education xii. Primacy is popularly expressed by the statement that ‘first impressions are lasting’. 1946 J. B. PRIESTLEY Bright Day ii. He ought to look neat and tidy. .. It’s half the battle.. making a good first impression. ■ appearance, significant
  

On the FIRST of March, the crows begin to search

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  1846 M. A. DENHAM Proverbs relating to Seasons, &c. 39 On the first of March, the crows begin to search. Crows are supposed to begin pairing on this day. 1847 R. CHAMBERS Popular Rhymes of Scotland (ed. 2) 165 On the first of March, The craws begin to search; By the first o’April, They are sitting still. 1906 E. HOLDEN Country
  

Diary of Edwardian Lady (1977) 132 By the 1.^st of March the crows begin to search, By the 1.^st of April they are sitting still, By the 1.^st of May they are flown away, Creeping greedy back again With October wind and rain. ■ calendar lore