The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (471 page)

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REVOLUTIONS are not made with rose-water
.

 
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ONE for the mouse, one for the crow
;
WINTER never rots in the sky
.

 
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The proverb is also found in a number of variant forms, some of which are illustrated below. Cf. L.
pomum compunctum cito corrumpit sibi junctum
, a rotten apple quickly infects its neighbour.
1340
Ayenbite of Inwit
(EETS) 205
A roted eppel amang the holen [whole ones], maketh rotie the yzounde [sound].
1577
Treatise against Dicing
95
A peny naughtily [dishonestly] gotten, sayth Chrysostome, is like a rotten apple layd among sounde apples, which will rot all the rest.
1736
Poor Richard's Almanack
(July)
The rotten apple spoils his companion.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
514
The rotten apple injures its neighbour.
1979
Raven feathers his Nest
19
The police .. have a deserved reputation for uprightness… But one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel.
associates
;
example, good and bad

 
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see also
SMALL choice in rotten apples
;
SOON ripe, soon rotten
.

 
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see
what you LOSE on the swings you gain on the roundabouts
.

 
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Cf. PROCLUS
Commentary on Euclid
(Friedlein) 68, µ
ß