E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cut your Coat according to your Cloth.
Stretch your arm no farther than your sleeve will reach.
1
“Little barks must keep near shore,
Larger ones may venture more.”
French: “Selon ta bourse nourris ta bouche.” “Salon le pain il faut le couteau.” “Fou est, qui plus dépense que sa rente ne vaut.”
2
Italian: “Noi facciamo la spese secondo l’entrata.”
3
Latin: “Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius.” “Parvum parva decent” (Horace). “Messe tenus propria vive” (Persius). “Cui multum est piperis, etiam oleribus immiscet.” “Sumptus censum ne superat” (Plautus). “Si non possis quod velis, velis id quod possis.” “Ne te quæsiveris extra” (Horace).
