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From Thomas Jefferson's memorable "a fire bell in the night," to the Russian proverb "Do not call a wolf to help you against the dogs," and the English saying "Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear," the delightful Oxford Treasury of Sayings and Quotations offers a superb compendium of sage advice and colorful expressions, perfect to spice up your writing or a wedding toast, or to help while away a quiet afternoon.Fully revised and updated, the fourth edition features a fresh design and format, new topics, and more than a thousand new proverbs and sayings from around the world and across the centuries. This rich collection is arranged under a wide range of subjects--from Ability and Advice to Youth and Taxes--making it a snap to find an apt or pithy expression on a particular topic, or to explore the background of an extensive selection of related sayings and phrases. As in earlier editions, the volume traces the links between these treasured sayings and explains their varied origins. In addition, Oxford's unique language research program has identified proverbs from non-Western languages newly adopted into English, and these join an abundance of well-chosen words from Biblical times to the present day. A full keyword index and generous cross- referencing allow the Oxford Treasury of Sayings and Quotations to function both as a look-up resource and a browser's delight. Finally, the fourth edition includes a wide range of new American sources, such as Warren Buffett, Johnny Cash, Betty Davis, Walt Disney, and Barak Obama.Based on The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase, Saying, and Quotation, this superb Treasury offers a handier and more affordable resource for writers, speakers, and students.