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#113800 10/16/2003 8:16 PM
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Looking for the source and/or correct quote of "by thy words wilt thou be known".

Any help much appreciated.


#113801 10/17/2003 12:47 AM
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I think it's a bible thing - ?Matthew. And I think it was "works" originally. Where is the good Father when you need him?


#113802 10/17/2003 8:35 AM
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Or either "shalt", one.

Matt 12:37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.


#113803 10/19/2003 5:58 AM
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In the absence of el Padre, I have to agree both with Davego for the base expression and Doc Comfort for the correction. But I don't know where it comes from. I agree that it's parbly the bible, but where in it, Heaven (and, also certainly, el Padre) only knows!


#113804 10/19/2003 10:45 AM
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I guess you can't see Fald's reply then, eh?



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YCLIU:

http://bartleby.com/108/

That's OK, Faldage. At least eta and I saw and appreciated your post.


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Yes, I did see Faldo's reply, and I disagree with it. That's (funnily enough) why I was specific about who I was agreeing with!

And the KJV doesn't have the expression in any form, so maybe it wasn't the bible after all.

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My KJV does! (???) Right there at Matt 12:37.


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It's definitely in my Konig Iago bible all white:

By thine words shalt thou be revealed as a hideous troll!


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Matt 12:37

Your KJV doesn't. It's not the same term that Davego was talking about.


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It's not the same term that Davego was talking about.


"by thy words wilt thou be known".

and/or correct quote

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Yeah, it's quite a stretch.


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Your search - "by thy words wilt thou be known" - did not match any documents.

Suggestions:
- Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
- Try different keywords.
- Try more general keywords.


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so i tried a few permutations
by thine words shall thou be known
by thine words wilt thou be known
by thine deeds shalt thou be known

By your deeds you will be known
Time will tell truth will show
As we exhale every breath
We all got closer to our death

i got a couple of other non-maiden-related hits in this sort of vein:
...I guess the other answer I would give you is that despite whether or not he has specifically said his position on South Africa or choice or other issues that I was always raised by the adage that by your deeds you will be known. And I think we have to look at not just the words and speeches but his conduct. ...

by their own words shall they be known gave me a couple thousand more hits, mainly stuff like this:
http://weblog.burningbird.net/fires/000916.htm and some really random sightings like:
..."By their own words shall they be known"- a recent discussion among obstetricians helps birthing women understand their view of cesarean, VBAC and birth in general. ...

so, this does seem to be a fairly well known form, can't be fagged sourcing it though. take your pick as to the original, i'm going to bed, my beloved has the superbug and i'm back on super hygiene alert.





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Matthew 7:20


#113814 10/21/2003 9:31 AM
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Ha! Yet another one. Thanks, doc. I wonder if this expression has gotten all mushed together over the years, sort of like "gild the lily," but even more so (as indicated by dody's research)? Is there a term for this phenomenon?


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Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

still a bit of a stretch


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bit of a stretch

Yeah, well the lily never did get gilded, either.


#113817 10/21/2003 12:33 PM
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I think there is a tendency to pick on a particular form, and then change the words around to suit the occasion.

by your/my/his/their own words/thoughts/deeds shall/will/should/can you/I/they/she be known

a sort of somber relative to punnery

#113818 10/22/2003 8:55 AM
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Thank you everyone for your wonderful insights.





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