This argument of yours is lame and halting, but doo not you knowe that. He that dooth liue in hope, dooth dance in narrowe scope.
[1591 J. Florio Second Fruits 149]
Hee that lives in hope danceth without musick.
[1640 G. Herbert Outlandish Proverbs no. 1006]
He that liveth in Hope, danceth without a Fiddle.
[1732 T. Fuller Gnomologia no. 2224]
‘He that lives in hope danceth to an ill tune,’ remarked Mrs. Andrews, who was full of proverbs.
[1977 J. Aiken Five Minute Marriage ii.]
Related to: disappointment; hope and despair
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
