computedshorty Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Meaning > > Don't pay someone to do a task and then do it > yourself. > > Origin > > The earliest citation of this proverb is Brian > Melbancke's Philotimus: the warre betwixt nature > and fortune, 1583: > > "It is smal reason you should kepe a dog, and > barke your selfe." I think there may be an earlier citation CS, Bryan Enoenoeno's Phlebitus: warre wat zit gud fwoar solutely no thing, 1582: "Piss, it be took freely, and wy not?