A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

churchyard see a GREEN Yule makes a fat churchyard.
CIRCUMSTANCES alter cases

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  1678 T. RYMER Tragedies of Lost Age 177 There may be circumstances that alter the case, as when there is a sufficient ground of partiality. 1776 W. HEATH Memoirs (1798) 92 Our General reflected for a moment, that as circumstances alter cases, Gen. Washington.. might possibly wish for some aid. 1895 J. PAYN In Market Overt xxxix. Circumstances alter cases even with the best of us, as was shown in a day or two in the conduct of the Lord Bishop. 1938 A. CHRISTIE Appointment with Death xiii. It is undoubtedly true that circumstances alter cases. I do feel.. that in the present circumstances decisions may have to be reconsidered. 1998 ‘C. AIRD’ Stiff News (2000) v. 56 ‘I didn’t say anything before,’ the Matron murmured awkwardly, ‘because I couldn’t imagine that it could be important.’ ‘Circumstances alter cases,’ said Crosby prosaically. "circumstances
  

circus see if you can’t RIDE two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus.
cite see the DEVIL can quote Scripture for his own ends.
city see if every man would SWEEP his own doorstep the city would soon be clean.
A CIVIL question deserves a civil answer

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  1853 T. C. HALIBURTON Sam Slick’s Wise Saws II. ii. Give a civil answer to a civil question. 1858 S. A. HAMMETT Piney Woods Tavern xxvii. The Squire there asked me a civil question, and that desarves a civil answer,—at least that’s manners where I come from. 1935 E. GREENWOOD Pins & Needles xi. ‘Thank you for those few words,’ Aunt said effusively. ‘I’ve got what I wanted—a civil answer to a civil question.’
  

CIVILITY costs nothing
Politeness now often replaces civility. Cf. late 15th-cent. Fr. de bouche honnestetё.. petit couste et vault plente, courteous words.. cost little and are worth much.

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