A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

1697 DRYDEN Alexander’s Feast 5 Lovely Thais sits beside thee, Take the good the gods provide thee. 1880 TROLLOPE Duke’s Children III. xiv. ‘It is only because I am the governor’s son,’ Silverbridge pleaded. .. ‘What of that? Take the goods the gods provide you.’ 1980 M. MCMULLEN Something of Night viii. Take the goods the gods provide, and don’t.. sulk when they are snatched away. "good fortune; opportunity

take see also it takes ALL sorts to make a world; you can take the BOY out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy; GIVE a thing, and take a thing, to wear the Devil’s gold ring; GIVE and take is fair play; you can take a HORSE to the water, but you can’t make him drink; you PAYS your money and you takes your choice; take care of the PENCE and the pounds will take care of themselves; it takes TWO to make a bargain; it takes TWO to make a quarrel; it takes TWO to tango.
It TAKES one to know one

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  1977 National Journal 9 July 1090 In the it-takes-one-to-know-one category. Lester L. Kinsolving, among other jobs, is serving as national editor for the Panax Corp. newspapers. 1997 Buffalo News 27 Aug. 9D We hear that a local dude discourages his wife from buying antiques by saying, ‘It takes one to know one.’ 2001 R. HILL Dialogues of Dead xxiii. 200 ‘Sam just wasn’t the suicidal type.’ ‘Takes a one to know a one, does it?’ said Dalziel. 2007 New Scientist 23 June 37 (heading) Birds that have never stolen do not re-hide their cache. It takes a thief to know a thief. ■similarity and dissimilarity
  

A TALE never loses in the telling
Also used in the phrase to lose (or grow) in the telling, often implying exaggeration. 1541 Schoolhouse of Women A4^V What soeuer commeth to memorye Shall not be loste, for the tellinge. 1581 Stationers’Register (1875) II. 388 A good tale Cannot to [o] often be Tolde.

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