
“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”
“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”
“The second mouse gets the cheese!”
Source: The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
“5118. 'Tis the early Bird, that catches the Worm.”
Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727), Gnomologia (1732)
Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance (2000, Harvest House Publishers)
Roosevelt to Henry M. Heymann (2 December 1919), as quoted in Roosevelt and Howe (1962), by Alfred B. Rollins, Jr., p. 153
1910s
“Who gets the bird, the hunter or the dog?”
When asked about the presence of communists and other radicals working as organizers for the Steel Workers Organizing Committee; quoted in Life magazine, October 25, 1954
“And all I get is cheese, like I'm taking Pictures”
No Lie Featuring Drake.
2010s, 2012, Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012)
“I'm like a good cheese. I'm just getting mouldy enough to be interesting.”
Quoted in "Saint Paul," interview with John Aldridge, The Guardian (2005-04-10)
"Early Rising"; compare: "The healthy-wealthy-wise affirm, That early birds obtain the worm — (The worm rose early too!)", Frederick Locker-Lampson.
Act I, scene ii. Compare: "To public feasts, where meet a public rout,— Where they that are without would fain go in, And they that are within would fain go out", John Davies, Contention betwixt a Wife, etc.
The White Devil (1612)