=In for a penny, in for a pound.=
=As good be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.=
=Ne'er go to the deil wi' a dishclout in your hand.=--_Scotch._
=Over shoes, over boots.=
"There is nothing like being bespattered for making one defy the
slough" (French).[339] These proverbs are as true in their physical as
in their moral application. Persons who have ventured a little way will
venture further. Persons whose characters are already sullied will not
be very careful to preserve them from further discredit. When Madame
de Cornuel remonstrated with a court lady on certain improprieties
of conduct, the latter exclaimed, "Eh! madame, laissez-moi jouir
de ma mauvaise réputation" ("Do let me enjoy the benefit of my bad
reputation"). "It is the first shower that wets" (Italian).[340] "It
is all the same whether a man has both legs in the stocks or one"
(German).[341] Honest Launce "would have one that would be a dog
indeed, to be as it were a dog in all things." The author of _The
Romany Rye_ learned a practical illustration of this whole-hog doctrine
from an old ostler who had served in his youth at a small inn at
Hounslow, much patronised by highwaymen.
"He said that when a person had once made up his mind to become a
highwayman his best policy was to go the whole hog, fearing nothing,
but making everybody afraid of him; that people never thought of
resisting a savage-faced, foul-mouthed highwayman, and if he were taken
were afraid to bear witness against him, lest he should get off and
cut their throats some time or other upon the roads; whereas people
would resist being robbed by a sneaking, pale-visaged rascal, and would
swear bodily against him on the first opportunity; adding that Abershaw
and Ferguson, two most awful fellows, had enjoyed a long career,
whereas two disbanded officers of the army, who wished to rob a coach
like gentlemen, had begged the passengers' pardon, and talked of hard
necessity, had been set upon by the passengers themselves, amongst whom
were three women, pulled from their horses, conducted to Maidstone, and
hanged with as little pity as such contemptible fellows deserved."
=Neck or nothing, for the king loves no cripples.=
Either break your neck or come off safe: broken limbs will make you a
less profitable subject.
=Either a man or a mouse.=