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Novelty Every innovation startles us more by its novelty than it benefits us by its utility. (Roman) He something out of nothing makes, and paints feet upon his snakes. (Chinese) Human nature is greedy of novelty. (Roman) In all things novelty is what we prize most. (Roman) It is in human nature to hunt for novelty. (Italian) Novelty always appears handsome. (Roman) Novelty in all things is charming. (Roman) The novelty of noon is out of date by night. (Unknown)

Nuisance A whistling woman and a crowing hen are neither fit for God nor men. (Roman)

Nut He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut. (French) It doesn’t take a hammer to crack a nut. (American)

Oak, Oaks An oak is not felled at one stroke. (Spanish) From little acorns mighty oaks do grow. (American) Great oaks from little acorns grow. (German) It is not easy to straighten in the oak the crook that grew in the sapling. (Danish) Little strokes fell great oaks. (Dutch) The oak lives on, but the hand that had planted it is gone. (Irish) The repeated stroke will fell the oak. (German)

Oaths Eggs and oaths are easily broken. (Japanese) Vain oaths are the Devil’s own language. (German)

Obedience, Obey He that cannot obey, cannot command. (Poor Richard) He who will not obey father, will have to obey step-father. (Danish) It is the raised stick that makes the dog obey. (Danish) Learn to obey before you command. (Greek) Let thy child’s first lesson be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt.