A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

When the GOING gets tough, the tough get going
A favourite family saying of Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969), US politician, businessman, and father of President John F. Kennedy.
□1962 J. H. CUTLER ‘Honey Fitz’ xx. Joe [Kennedy] made his children stay on their toes. .. He would bear down on them and tell them, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ 1970 New Yorker 3 Oct. 33 Baron Marcel Bich, the millionaire French pen magnate probably spoke for them all last month when he said, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going!’ (’Quand le chemin devient dur, les durs se cheminent!’) 1979 J. CRUMLEY Last Good Kiss xvi. ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going?’ she asked slyly. ‘Make fun if you want to, but that’s what character is all about.’ 2001 Washington Post 26 July C13 (Hagar the Horrible comic strip) ‘I realize we’re lost. .. But always remember—“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”!’ ‘I know. But which way do we go?’ "opportunity, taken; politics; stress
GOLD may be bought too dear
□1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs II. vii. 14 Well (quoth she) a man maie bie golde to dere. 1642 T. FULLER Holy State II. xxi. Fearing to find the Proverb true, That Gold may be bought too dear, they returned to their ships. 1889 J. LUBBOCK Pleasures of Life (ed. 2) II. ii. It is well worth having.. but it does not requite too great a sacrifice. A wise proverb tells us that gold may be bought too dear. 1908 Times 28 Nov.11 Gold may be bought too dear; and little improvements in the regulation of the drink traffic are too heavily loaded when they carry with them confiscatory legislation, local option, ruinous harshness to individuals... "money; value
gold see also it is good to make a BRIDGE of gold to a flying enemy; GIVE a thing, and take a thing, to wear the Devil’s gold ring; all that GLITTERS is not gold.