E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fox.
Antipathy to foxes. Speaking of natural antipathies, Shakespeare makes Shylock say:
1
“Some men there be love not a gaping pig,
Some that are mad if they behold a cat.”
Tycho Brahé would faint at sight of a fox, Marshal d’Albret at sight of a pig, Henri III. at sight of a cat. (See ANTIPATHY.)
2
A wise fox will never rob his neighbour’s hen-roost, because it would soon be found out. He goes farther from home where he is not known.
3
Every fox must pay his skin to the furrier. The crafty shall be taken in their own wiliness.
4
“Tutte le volpi si trovano in pellicaria.”—Italian Proverb.
To set a fox to keep the geese. (Latin, “Ovem lupo committere.”) He entrusted his money to sharpers.
5
Fox (That). So our Lord called Herod Antipas, whose crafty policy was thus pointed at, “Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils” (St. Luke xiii. 32). (B.C. 4—A.D. 39.)
6
Herod Agrippa I. (A.D. 41–44.) Herod Agrippa II. (A.D. 52–100.)
Herod Agrippa I. (
