Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Mutability of Fortune

A hundred years a banner, a hundred years a barrow. (A very old French proverb signifying the changeful fortunes of great feudal families.)Bohn.

A nobody to-day, a prince to-morrow.Latin.

Change of fortune is the lot of life.

Change yourself and fortune will change with you.Portuguese.

Every ten years one man has need of another.Italian.

He fell to-day, I may fall to-morrow.Latin.

In a hundred years’ time princes are peasants,
And in a hundred and ten, peasants are princes.

Once he was a hammer, now he is an anvil.

That which is his lot to-day, may be yours to-morrow.Latin.

To-day a knight, to-morrow a beggar.German.

To-day a man, to-morrow a mouse.

To-day for money, to-morrow for nothing.German, Dutch.

To-day gold, to-morrow dust.

To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth.German.

To-day in gold, to-morrow in the mould.Danish.

To-day red, to-morrow dead.German, Dutch.

To-day stately and brave, to-morrow in the grave.Dutch.

Who to-day was a haughty knight,
Is to-morrow a penniless wight.Dutch.

Yesterday a cow-herd, to-day a cavalier.Spanish.

You used to be a baker, though now you wear gloves.Spanish.