an ounce of practice is worth a pound of precept

A number of proverbs similar in form are illustrated below. An ounce used figuratively for ‘a small quantity’ is found in 1567 W. CECIL Letter in C. Read Mr. Secretary Cecil (1955) xxi. Marry [to be sure], an ounce of advice is more worth to be executed aforehand than in the sight of perils. Quot. 2002 suggests some convergence between this saying and prevention is better than cure.

c 1576 T. WHYTHORNE Autobiography (1961) 142 I ment not to be on of thoz who waith [esteems] A chip of chauns [luck] mor then A pownds wurth of witt.

1592 G. DELAMOTHE French Alphabet II. 55 An ounce of discretion, is better worth, then a pound of hardinesse [audacity].

1616 T. ADAMS Sacrifice of Thankfulness 19 The prouerbe is true; an Ounce of Discretion, is worth a pound of Learning.

1748 J. ELIOT Essays upon Field Husbandry 12 It used to be the Saying of an old Man, That an Ounce of Experience is better than a Pound of Science.

1866 BLACKMORE Cradock Nowell II. ix. Remember that rigid probity, and the strictest punctuality..are the very soul of business, and that an ounce of practice is worth a pound of precept.

1925 J. GALSWORTHY Caravan 667 ‘Define it [Beauty], Mr. Vaness.’ ‘An ounce of fact is worth a ton of theory.—It stands before me.’

1981 P. O’DONNELL Xanadu Talisman ix. She said rather primly, ‘An ounce of wisdom is worth a pound of wit.’

2002 Washington Times 5 Apr. A20 Yet, if the IRS is attempting to reduce the incidence of obesity,..shouldn’t it permit deduction for activities and products that prevent one from becoming obese in the first place? After all, an ounce of prevention could be worth a literal pound of cure.