A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

four see also there goes more to MARRIAGE than four bare legs in a bed.
There’s no such thing as a FREE lunch
Originally a colloquial axiom in US economics, though now in general use. The proverb implies that you cannot get something for nothing.

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  1967 R. A. HEINLEIN Moon is Harsh Mistress xi. ‘Oh, “tanstaafl.” Means “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” And isn’t,’ I added, pointing to a FREE LUNCH sign across the room, ‘or these drinks would cost half as much.’ 1969 Newsweek 29 Dec. 52 I was taught.. the first and only law of economics: ‘There is no such thing as a free lunch.” 1971 New Yorker 25 Sept. 76 There is no such thing as a free lunch. .. The idea has proved so illuminating for environmental problems that I am borrowing it from its original source, economics. 1979 L. ST. CLAIR Obsessions xi. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. So, in return for your help, what do you ask? 2001 Spectator 29 Dec. 26 I believe that the old saying ‘There is no such thing as a free lunch’ applies here. Pornography and permissiveness will have a price. "bribery and corruption; reciprocity
  

free see also the BEST things in life are free; THOUGHT is free.
freit (omen): see he that FOLLOWS freits, freits will follow him.
Frenchman see one ENGLISHMAN can beat three Frenchmen.
fresh see don’t THROW out your dirty water until you get in fresh.
Friday see Monday’s CHILD is fair of face.
A FRIEND in need is a friend indeed
A friend in need is one who helps when one is in need or difficulty. Cf. EURIPIDES Hecuba 1. 1226 .т^.ссгт-и-г..' . for in adversity good friends are
most clerly seen; ENNIUS Scaenica 210 (Vahlen) amicus certus in re incerta cernitur,a sure friend is known in unsure times.

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  c 1035 Durham Proverbs (1956) 10 ^t thearfe man sceal freonda cunnian [friend shall be known in time of need]. a 1400 Titus & Vespasian (1905) 98 I shal the save When tyme cometh thou art in nede; Than ogh men frenshep to shewe in dede. a 1449 LYDGATE Minor Poems (EETS) II. 755 Ful weele is him that fyndethe a freonde at neede. 1678 J. RAY English Proverbs (ed. 2) 142 A friend in need is a friend indeed. 1773 R. GRAVES Spiritual Quixote II. VIII. xx. (heading) A Friend in Need is a Friend indeed. 1866 C. READE Griffith Gaunt III. xv. You came to my side when I was in trouble. . .A friend in need is a friend indeed. 1985 D. WILLIAMS Wedding Treasure viii. He never felt quite right about calling up scripture—at least not in private. ‘Friend in need is a friend indeed,’ he added. That was better. ■ adversity; friends
  

friend see also the BEST of friends must part; the ENEMY of my enemy is my friend; LEND your money and lose your friend; if you have to LIVE in the river, it is best to be friends with the crocodile; SAVE us from our friends; SHORT reckonings make long friends.