'Peeling a peach' would be treated anywhere as a
dubious attention."
Of the many proverbs connected with thorns, there is the true one which
tells us how,
"He that goes barefoot must not plant thorns,"
The meaning of which is self-evident, and the person who lives in a
chronic state of uneasiness is said to, "sit on thorns." Then there is
the oft-quoted adage:--
"While thy shoe is on thy foot, tread upon the thorns."
On the other hand, that no position in life is exempt from trouble of
some kind is embodied in this proverb:--
"Wherever a man dwells he shall be sure to have a thorn bush
near his door,"
which Ray also explains in its literal sense, remarking that there "are
few places in England where a man can dwell, but he shall have one near
him." Then, again, thorns are commonly said to "make the greatest
crackling," and "the thorn comes forth with its point forward."
Many a great man has wished himself poor and obscure in his hours of
adversity, a sentiment contained in the following proverb:--
"The pine wishes herself a shrub when the axe is at her root."
A quaint phrase applied to those who expect events to take an unnatural
turn is:--
"Would you have potatoes grow by the pot-side?"
Amongst some of the other numerous proverbs may be mentioned a few
relating to the apple; one of these reminding us that,
"An apple, an egg, and a nut,
You may eat after a slut.
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