Interesting. Had not really thought of the etymology of those sayings until you brought it up. A quick superficial search brings up this origin theory
Shakespeare used the idea in 1595 in King John when he wrote, "Be stirring as the time; be fire with fire; / Threaten the threatener and outface the brow / Of bragging horror." However, Shakespeare did not actually use the phrase "fight fire with fire."
So, it is not FIGHT fire with fire, it is BE fire with fire -- eg if you are threatened, threaten back. Makes much more sense
You asked for other sayings? A stitch in time saves nine. Lis uses a stapler ...
no subject
A quick superficial search brings up this origin theory
Shakespeare used the idea in 1595 in King John when he wrote, "Be stirring as the time; be fire with fire; / Threaten the threatener and outface the brow / Of bragging horror." However, Shakespeare did not actually use the phrase "fight fire with fire."
So, it is not FIGHT fire with fire, it is BE fire with fire -- eg if you are threatened, threaten back. Makes much more sense
You asked for other sayings?
A stitch in time saves nine.
Lis uses a stapler ...