This was atte uerste me thingth [it seems to me] a god bygynnynge. Ther after was the betere hope to come to god endynge.
[c 1300 South-English Legendary (EETS) I. 216]
Of a gode begynnyng comyth a gode endyng.
[c 1350 Douce MS 52 no. 122]
A good Beginning makes a good End. ‥'Tis a great point of Wisdom‥to begin at the right end.
[1710 S. Palmer Proverbs 1]
I hope my future lot will be verification of the old adage, that a ‘bad beginning makes a good ending’, for mine is bad enough.
[1850 ‘M. Tensas’ Odd Leaves from Life of Louisiana ‘Swamp Doctor’ 109]
I was brought up to believe that ‘Of a good beginning cometh a good ending.’‥‘You can't do a good plastering job if your laths aren't right to begin with.’
[1934 G. Weston His First Million Women xvi.]
Related to: beginnings and endings
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
