Cf. [Menander Sententiae no. 222] Ἐν νυκṯὶ βουλή ṯοῖς σοϕοῖσί γίγνɛṯαί, at night comes counsel to the wise; L. in nocte consilium, in night is counsel.
Vntroubled night‥giues counsell best.
[1590 Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. 291]
Night is the mother of Councels.
[1640 G. Herbert Outlandish Proverbs no. 746]
Well might the Ancient Poets then confer On Night the honour'd name of Counseller.
[1660 Dryden Astrœa Redux l. 93]
The saying that night brings counsel is often true. ‥Peter‥ woke next morning with a plan of campaign fully developed.
[1928 L. Thayer Darkest Spot xviii.]
‘Home you go, boy. Night brings counsel.’ Night did bring counsel. Or rather Verbiest, the young inspector, brought it.
[1967 N. Freeling Strike out where not Applicable 184]
Related to: advice
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
