It's always darkest

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 12, 2007

Does anyone know who said, "It's always darkest before the dawn?" Or where it comes from?

I've searched and the closest I can come to is a humorous quote: It's always darkest before the dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. By Anonymous.

Is that the actual quote? I was planning on using it in my story, like, "They say 'it's always darkest before the dawn'..." and thought if the originator was known, I could say "Shakespeare said..." or whatever. Otherwise I'll leave it as the ubiquitous "they."

aka eraser · Mar 12, 2007

I searched Bartleby's and only came up with a couple of references. This one, from E. Cobham Brewer's compilation Dictionary of Phrase and Fable lists it as such:

Darkest Hour is that before the Dawn

(The). When Fortune's wheel is lowest, it must turn up again. When things have come to their worst, they must mend. In Latin, Post nubila, Phoebus.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

PeeDee · Mar 12, 2007

The newspaper line sounds like classic Groucho Marx.

But otherwise, I'm afraid I have no idea. It may really be an anonymous phrase, a "every cloud has a silver lining," sort of thing that we have no idea who actually said first.

It's a great line though.

C.bronco · Mar 12, 2007

My Dad said it. He also said "Every cloud has a silver lining," and "Check your oil and water!!!"

PeeDee · Mar 12, 2007

IGOR: It's times like this that I remember what my old dad used to say.

FRODERICK: What was that?

IGOR: "What the hell are you doing in the bathroom all day and night? Why don't you get out of there and give someone else a chance?"

Celia Cyanide · Mar 12, 2007

I don't know, but that's a great question.

Here is a song by the Mountaingoats:

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow
And I hope it bleeds all day long
Our friends say it's darkest before the sun rises
But we're pretty sure they're all wrong

EngineerTiger · Mar 12, 2007

"It's always darkest just before someone toins on the lights." - Cole Porter, Anything Goes

It's always darkest

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

aka eraser

Fish Whisperer

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

C.bronco

I have plans...

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Celia Cyanide

Joker Groupie

EngineerTiger

Writing HF Again, Thank God