A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

A STERN chase is a long chase
A stern chase is one in which the pursuing ship follows directly in the wake of the pursued.

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  1823 J. F. COOPER Pilot xv. ‘If we can once get him in our wake I have no fears of dropping them all.’ ‘A stern chace is a long chase.’ 1919 J. A. BRIDGES Victorian Recollections xiv. English poetry has had a start of some centuries, and a stern chase is proverbially a long one. 1929 G. B. VALE Mystery of Papyrus vii. 52 Followed again to­day by shabby native, but threw him off with complete success by getting rapidly into a taxi and driving round about. A stern chase is a long chase. ■futility; persistence
  

stey (steep): see put a STOUT heart to a stey brae.
It is easy to find a STICK to beat a dog
An excuse to justify a harsh action or opinion is easy to find.

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  1564 T. BECON Works I. C5V Howe easye a thyng it is to fynde a staffe if a man be mynded to beate a dogge. 1581 G. PETTIE tr. S. Guazzo’s Civil Conversation III. 50 It is an easie matter to finde a staffe to beate a dog. 1782 F. HOPKINSON Miscellaneous Essays I. 266 A proverb.. naturally occurs on this occasion: It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog. 1875 S. SMILES Thrift xiv. Excuses were abundant. .. It is easy to find a stick to beat a sick dog. 1908 Times Literary Supplement 6 Nov. 391 The reviewer seems.. predisposed to the view that any stick is good enough to beat a dog with. 1987 Washington Times 30 Apr. 11A When you want to beat a dog, any stick will do. ■ excuses
  

stick see (noun) up like a ROCKET, down like a stick; SPEAK softly and carry a big stick; (verb) let the COBBLER stick to his last; throw DIRT enough, and some will stick; the NAIL that sticks up gets hammered down.