The

Salt-Cellars

Being A Collection of Proverbs

together with

Homely Notes Thereon

by

C. H. Spurgeon

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these three things go to the making of a proverb:

Shortness, Sense, and Salt

Vol. II.—M to Z

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Proverbs and Quaint Sayings

MAD bulls cannot be tied up with a pack-thread.

Far greater restraints are needed. Obstinate peoplo must be held in with strong measures. Our corrupt human nature in its madness is not to be ruled by mere resolves, nor by any power less than divine.

“Some men demand rough treatment everywhere:

Will apples tempt a wild boar to a sty?

You cannot with a whistle tame a bear:

You cannot with a beckon lure a fly.”—S. C. Hall.

Mad dogs cannot live long.

The furiously wicked have but a short career. Bad for them, but good for the universe.

Mad folk are not to be argued with.

Any more than mad bulls. They are not in a condition of mind to appreciate argument, and should be let alone. To stand reasoning with a wild bull would be very absurd, and it is equally so to debate with a hot-headed partisan.

Mad people think others mad.

The judgments of men are warped by their own follies, and we should not pay too much heed to them. When a man is “mad as a hatter,” or “mad as a March hare,” his opinion of others is of small consequence.

Maidens should be mild and meek,

Swift to hear and slow to speak.

The same advice will apply to men also; but the men like advising the women, better than doing right themselves.

Make all sure, and keep all pure.

Make every bargain clear and plain,

That none may afterwards complain.

This would save a world of heart-burning, and greatly tend to peace and quietness. If possible, put it down in black and white that there may be no after quibbling.

Make good cheese, if you make little.

Keep up the quality of your work, even if you cannot excel in the quantity of it.

Make great excuses for people in love.

They have not all their wits about them. A temporary insanity possesses them.

“Love is a dizziness:

It winna let a poor body

Gang about his business.”

Make haste slowly.

A wise Eastern proverb says, “Hurry is of the devil, but slow advancing comes from God.” What is done hastily is seldom done well; and being ill done, it has to be undone, and this wastes time. “With eager feeding food will choke the eater.”

Make hay while the sun shines.

You cannot make it when it is pouring with rain, therefore seize on the season, and, like the busy bee, improve each shining hour.

“Make your hay fine

While sun doth shine.”

Make home happy, and you will be happy at home.

A golden sentence. When any one ceases to care for his home, it is one of the worst possible signs of moral sickness.

Make matters of care matters of prayer.

This is the wisdom of the anxious. To lay the matter before the Lord is to take the sting out of trial.

Make much of little.

By economy use a small income well; by grateful praise express your value of the least of God’s mercies; and by charitable judgment come to a favourable conclusion concerning ...