A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

wit see BREVITY is the soul of wit; when the WINE is in, the wit is out.
wiving see HANGING and wiving go by destiny.
woeful see WILFUL waste makes woeful want.
Do not call a WOLF to help you against the dogs
Russian proverb.

• 
  1975 A. SOLZHENITSYN ‘Words of Warning to America’ in Imprimis Sept. We have a Russian proverb: ‘Do not call a wolf to help you against the dogs.’ If dogs are attacking and tearing at you, fight against the dogs, but do not call a wolf for help. Because when the wolves come, they will destroy the dogs, but they will also tear you apart. 2001 on www.peace.ca Which presents PBI with the classic dilemma of the unarmed civilian: Should PBI call the ‘official’ Colombian army for help? Or should PBI heed the Russian proverb ‘If the dogs attack you don’t call the wolf for help.’ ■ assistance; strength and weakness
  

wolf see the CARIBOU feeds the wolf, but it is the wolf who keeps the caribou strong; HUNGER drives the wolf out of the wood.
A WOMAN, a dog, and a walnut tree, the more you beat them the better they be
‘The old custom of beating a walnut-tree was carried out firstly to fetch down the fruit and secondly to break the long shoots and so encourage the production of short fruiting spurs’: M. Hadfield British Trees (1957) Cf. L. nux, asinus, mulier verbere opus habent, a nut tree, an ass, and a woman need a beating.

• 
  1581 G. PETTIE tr. S. Guazzos Civil Conversation III. 20 I have redde, I know not where, these verses. A woman, an asse, and a walnut tree, Bring the more fruit the more beaten they bee. 1670 J. RAY English Proverbs 50 A spaniel, a woman and a walnut tree, The more they’re beaten the better still they be. 1836 T. C. HALIBUR-TON Clockmaker 1st Ser. xxv. There was an old sayin there [Kent], which.. is not far off the mark: A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree, The more you lick ’em, the better they be. 1929 E. LINKLATER Poet’s Pub xii. A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree, The more you beat ’em, the better they be. 1945 F. THOMPSON Lark Rise v. A handsome pie was placed before him.. such as seemed to.. illustrate the old saying, ‘A woman, a dog and a walnut tree, the more you beat ’em the better they be’. 1981 Daily Telegraph 5 Feb. 17 It’s not right to batter your wife. It is like the old saying, ‘A wife, a dog and a walnut tree, the more you beat them the better they be.’ It’s just not true. ■ women