The more we stur a tourde, the wours it will stynke.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs ii. vi.]
The more you stirre it the worse it stinkes.
[1639 J. Clarke Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina 200]
The more ye stir, the more 'twill stink.
[1706 P. A. Motteux tr. Cervantes' Don Quixote ii. xii.]
The more we stir the worse it stinks, inspector. One would never imagine there were so many shady histories in this harmless-looking village.
[1929 T. Cobb Crime without Clue xx.]
I could tell you. ‥But like my mama always used to say, ‘The more you stir shit, the more it stinks.’
[1971 H. Van dyke Dead Piano iv.]
Related to: action and consequence; busybodies
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
