A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

kind see BETTER a good cow than a cow of a good kind.
kindness see feed a DOG for three days and he will remember your kindness for three years.. ; with a SWEET tongue and kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair.
The KING can do no wrong
Altered to queen when appropriate. Cf. the legal maxim: rex non potest peccare, the king can do no wrong; also c 1538 T. STARKEY England in Reign of King Henry VIII (EETS) I. iv. Wyl you make a kyng to have no more powar then one of hys lordys? Hyt ys commynly sayd.. a kyng ys aboue hys lawys.
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□a 1654 J. SELDEN Table-Talk (1689) 2 7 The King can do no wrong, that is no Process [action at law] can be granted against him. 1765 W. BLACKSTONE Commentaries on Laws of England i. vii. The King can do no wrong. ..The prerogative of the crown extends not to do any injury: it is created for the benefit of the people, and therefore cannot be exerted to their prejudice. 1888 C. M. YONGE Beechcroft at Rockstone II. xxii. ‘So, Aunt Jane is your Pope.’ ‘No; she’s the King that can do no wrong,’ said Gillian, laughing. 1952 ‘M. COST’ Hour Awaits 191 It was very different with Augustus. . . We had always expected that. . . In his case, was it not rather a matter of the king can do no wrong. 1981 Times 28 July 14 The Queen [of Holland] has no power but some influence. .. ‘The Queen can do no wrong. The ministers are responsible.’ ■ rulers and ruled
A KING’S chaff is worth more than other men’s corn
The sense is explained in quot. 1738. For a similar sentiment, see 1612 T. SHELTON tr. Cervantes’ Don Quixote I. iv. xii. A Kings crumme is more worth then a Lords loafe. The proverb in the form with chaff seems to be Scottish in origin.
□a 1628 J. CARMICHAELL Proverbs in Scots (1957) 101 The kings calf [chaff] is worth other mennis corne. 1668 R. B. Adagia Scotica 33 Kings caff is worth other mens corn. 1738 Gentleman’s Mag. VIII. 474 The King’s chaff is worth more than other men’s corn. This.. signifies that even the little perquisites, which attend the King’s service, are more considerable than standing wages of private persons. 1788 BURNS Letter 16 Aug. (1931) I. 245 The old Scots Proverb says well—’King’s caff is better than ither folks’ corn.’ 1817 SCOTT Rob Roy III. vii. They say.. kings’ chaff is better than other folk’s corn, but I think that canna be said O’ kings’ soldiers, if they let themselves be beaten wi’ a wheen [few] auld carles. 1957 Times Literary Supplement 13 Sept. 552 A king’s chaff is proverbially better than other men’s corn. ■ employers and employees; value