“Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves” has been cited by The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (2009) to 1750; an Americanized version is “take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.”
“Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband” has been cited in print since at least 2004 and has been cited on several quotation websites as an “American proverb.” Authorship of the proverb is unknown. The saying means that if one works very hard and saves pennies that amass into dollars, it’s like working into an early grave for one’s widow’s next husband to enjoy.
rejoicecharlotte
Sunday, September 26, 2004
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American
Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband.
Google Books
The Routledge Book of World Proverbs
Edited by Jon R. Stone
New York, NY: Routledge
2006
Pg. 295:
Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband. (American)
Proverbs and Quotations
Monday, May 08, 2006
American Proverbs
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Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband.
Backhand-Flick
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Quintessential Quotes.
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224. Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband.
Helium.com
Humor: Old American proverbs updated for today
by Rose Calder
Created on: October 19, 2008
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“Take care of your pennies, and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband.” Or she’ll just cut out the middleman and get it all in alimony. In other words-prenup!
Sears.com
SHOPZEUS Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of your widow’s next husband. Keychain
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Added on April 27, 2010
Lifetime Quotes
November 15, 2011
SUBJECT: INVESTMENT
LENGTH: 17 words
QUOTE:
Hard work is the soundest investment. It provides a neat security for your widow’s next husband.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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