A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

When ONE door shuts, another opens

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  1586 D. ROWLAND tr. Lazarillo D3^V This proverbe was fulfild, when one doore is shut the other openeth. 1620 T. SHELTON tr. Cervantes’ Don Quixote III. vii. Where one door is shut another is opened. 1710 S. PALMER Proverbs 49 When one Door Shuts another Opens. . . How often does the Divine Bounty surprize us with unthought of Felicity! 1821 J. GALT Annals of Parish xxvi. Here was an example.. of the truth of the old proverb that as one door shuts another opens; . . A full equivalent for her [the light­headed Lady Macadam] was given in this hot and fiery Mr. Cayenne. 1925 S. O’CASEY Juno & Paycock I. 16 ‘The job couldn’t come at a betther time.’ . . ‘Ah, God never shut wan door but he opened another.’ 1987 S. STEWART Lifting the Latch 105 They say one door in life doesn’t close without another opening. 2002 Washington Post 30 Jan. C15 (Rhymes with Orange comic strip) ‘I always say, “When one door closes, another will open.” In this case, when my office door closes behind you, Security will escort you to the exit and open that door for you.’ ■ opportunity
  

ONE for sorrow, two for mirth; three for a wedding, four for a birth
A traditional country proverb found in a variety of forms, which refers to the number of magpies seen on a particular occasion.

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  a 1846 B. HAYDON Autobiography (1853) I. V During the journey four magpies rose.. and flew away. .. I repeated.. the old saw, ‘one for sorrow, two for mirth, three for a wedding, and four for death.’ 1846 M. A. DENHAM Proverbs relating to Seasons, &c. 35 One for sorrow: two for mirth: three for a wedding: four for a birth: five for silver: six for gold: seven for a secret, not to be told: eight for heaven: nine for hell: and ten for the devil’s own sel [self]. 1913 A. C. BENSON Along Road 162 I never see magpies myself without relating the old rhyme: ‘One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a death, Four for a birth; Five, you will shortly be In a great company.’ 1999 A. L. BARKER Haunt (2000) 53 A magpie flew up from the road, almost under his wheels. ‘One for sorrow,’ said the girl. ‘But there’s another in the hedge—two for joy.’ "bird lore; omens