The origin of this saying, which has become thoroughly proverbial, is found in the following extract from a paper by its author, Benjamin Franklin:—"When I was a child of seven years old my friends on a holiday filled my pockets with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children, and being charmed with the sound of a whistle that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered him all my money for it. I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given for it four times as much as it was worth. This put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and they laughed at me so much for my folly that I cried with vexation, and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure. This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing I said to myself, 'Don't give too much for the whistle;' and so I saved my money. As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I met with many, very many who gave too much for the whistle."
FOOTNOTES:
[349] A buon cavalier non manca lancia.
[350] Non è buon murator chi rifiuta pietra alcuna.
[351] Qui a bonne tête ne manque pas de chapeaux.
[352] In German, Willig Herz macht leichte Füsse.
[353] Also Flemish, Het is licht genoech ghepepen die gheein danst.
[354] Der Wille thut's.
[355] Carica volontaria non carica.
[356] On ne saurait faire boire un âne s'il n'a pas soif.