The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (312 page)

An older version of the next two proverbs.
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
I. V. B2
He laught that wynth.
a
1596
Clyomon & Clamides
F1
But I zay to you my nabor [neighbour]..wel let them laugh that win.
1777
Bonner & Middleton's Bristol Journal
5 July 3
The old Proverb says, let them laugh that wins.—They glory over us, by saying that our Fund is almost exhausted—that is our look out not theirs.
1873
Phineas Redux
I. xxxvii.
‘You are laughing at me, I know.’ ‘Let them laugh that win.’
success
;
winners and losers

 
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see also
JOVE but laughs at lovers' perjury
;
LOVE laughs at locksmiths
.

 
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See also the two adjacent proverbs. The ‘French proverb’ referred to in quot. 1822 is
rira bien qui rira le dernier
.
c
1607
Christmas Prince
(1923) 109
Hee laugheth best that laugheth to the end.
1715
Country House
II. V.
Does she play her jests upon me too!—but mum, he laughs best that laughs last.
1822
Peveril
IV. iii.
Your Grace knows the French proverb, ‘He laughs best who laughs last’.
1980
Yellow Pages
lii.
The mark of greatness is survival. He laughs best who laughs last.
1996
Washington Post
15 Jan. C2
This purchase .. was wildly out of character and the source of endless amusement to those who know me best… Well, in the immortal words of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726): He laughs best who laughs last.
revenge
;
winners and losers

 
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A modern development of the preceding proverb.
1912
Widow in Bye Street
IV. 66
In this life he laughs longest who laughs last.
1943
Running to Paradise
xxx.
He who laughs last laughs longest, and in another four days I was able to look at my mug in the mirror without wincing.
1951
Renny's Daughter
ix.
‘We'll see. He who laughs last, laughs …’ So worked up was Eugene Clapperton that he could not recall the last word of the proverb.
revenge
;
winners and losers

 
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