Proverbs and English sayings

A bad beginning makes a bad ending.

While it is often quoted as an English saying, this belongs to Euripides (480-406 BC). Euripides was the last of the three great tragedians of classical Athens (the other two being Aeschylus and Sophocles).

In medieval times, going as late as the seventeenth century, proverbs had the status of universal truths and were used to confirm or refute an argument. Scholars compiled lengthy lists of proverbs to assist them in debate; and many sayings from Latin, Greek, and the continental languages were drafted into English for this purpose.

Similar:

A good beginning makes a good ending.

Similar English and Irish sayings:

• A good beginning makes a good ending A good beginning makes a good ending
• A bad end from a good beginning A bad end from a good beginning
• Love is sweet in the beginning but sour in the ending Love is sweet in the beginning but sour in the ending