A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

PRACTISE what you preach

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  1377 LANGLAND Piers Plowman B. XIII. 79 This goddes gloton.. Hath no pyte on vs pore. He perforneth yuel [does evil], That he precheth he preueth [demonstrates] nought. 1639 T. FULLER Holy War I. xxiii. The Levites.. had 48 cities.. being better provided for then many English ministers, who may preach of hospitalitie to their people, but cannot go to the cost to practice their own doctrine. 1678 R. L’ES-TRANGE Seneca’s Morals II. ii. We must practise what we preach. 1725 E. YOUNG Universal Passion III. 48 Ye doctors sage, who thro’ Parnassus teach, Or quit the tub, or practise what you preach. 1854 THACKERAY Newcomes I. xiv. Take counsel by an old soldier, who fully practises what he preaches, and beseeches you to beware of the bottle. 1945 F. THOMPSON Lark Rise iv. Songs of a high moral tone, such as:.. practise what you preach. 1970 D. CLARK Deadly Pattern iv. He was more than scornful of drink know-alls who practised what they preached even against their own palates. "words and deeds
  

PRAISE the child, and you make love to the mother

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  1829 COBBETT Advice to Young Men iv. clxxxi. It is an old saying, ‘Praise the child, and you make love to the mother’; and it is surprising how far this will go. 1885 E. J. HARDY How to be Happy though Married xix. ‘Praise the child, and you make love to the mother,’ and it is a thing that no husband ought to overlook. ■ children and parents
  

praise see also (noun) SELF-praise is no recommendation.
pray see be CAREFUL what you pray for, you might get it; the FAMILY that prays together stays together; he that cannot PAY, let him pray.
precept see EXAMPLE is better than precept; an OUNCE of practice is worth a pound of precept.