I ordered each man to be presented with something, as strings of ten or a dozen glass beads apiece, and thongs of leather, all which they estimated highly; those which came on board I directed should be fed with molasses. Christopher Columbus
Nor is it a matter for wonder that the good do not appear herded in great thongs. First because specimens of great goodness are rare, secondly, because they avoid the great crowd of the more thoughtless and keep themselves at leisure for the contemplation of what nature has to show. Philo
All this grows bitter that was once so sweet, And many mouths must drain the dregs of it. But none will pity me, nor pity him Whom Love so lashed, and with such cruel thongs. Sara Teasdale
It is pleasant to cut thongs on another man's leather. Dutch Proverb
Broad thongs may be cut from other men's leather. Italian Proverb
Having conquered, tighten the thongs of your helmet. Japanese Proverb