--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy…" description: "\"Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg" --- # Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through… ![“Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too…” quote by John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg) > “Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too short the modish shoes are worn, You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn.” [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sturdy, well‑fitted shoes protect against harsh weather and injuries; poor footwear leads to pain and misjudgment **In simple terms:** Good shoes prevent physical harm and poor judgment Key Takeaway Choose proper footwear for safety and clarity Themes practicality health judgment Mood cautious pragmatic Type poetic advice When to use this quote - hiking - construction work - outdoor events - daily commuting Key Concepts footwear ergonomics weather resilience risk management Questions to Reflect On - What footwear choices affect your daily performance? - How does footwear reflect preparedness? A Different Perspective Cheap shoes may still cause discomfort despite fit ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rain/) [Seasons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seasons/) [Sleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleet/) [Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snow/) ## Related quotes > [I loved you when you opened like a lily to the heat; you see I’m just another snowman standing in the rain and sleet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-loved-you-when-you-opened-like-a-lily-to-the-heat-you-see-i-m-just/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [“I was going to grow up to walk in sleet in fields...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-was-going-to-grow-up-to-walk-in-sleet-in-fields/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [I see my way as birds their trackless way. I shall arrive,- what time, what circuit first, I ask not; but unless God send…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/i-see-my-way-as-birds-their-trackless-way-i-shall-arrive-what-time/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [“Sheets of sleet hurtled themselves against the windows, clattering like the tapping of devilish fingers upon the glass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carole-lawrence/sheets-of-sleet-hurtled-themselves-against-the-windows-clattering/) Carole Lawrence > [Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow, we will stand by each other, however it blow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-dach/then-come-the-wild-weather-come-sleet-or-come-snow-we-will-stand-by/) Simon Dach > [A small and sinister snow seems to be coming down relentlessly at present. The radio says it is eventually going to be sleet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/a-small-and-sinister-snow-seems-to-be-coming-down-relentlessly-at/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [Particles of raw inspiration sleet through the universe all the time. Every once in a while one of them hits a receptive mind, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/particles-of-raw-inspiration-sleet-through-the-universe-all-the-time/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [You never know: rain, sleet, hail, snow, See you gotta accept that's how things go. Prepare for the rainy day, or the sun's glow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/you-never-know-rain-sleet-hail-snow-see-you-gotta-accept-that-s-how/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [I'm still dominant and that's what matters, ... But rain, snow, sleet, it doesn't matter. I'm going to go out and try and win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-gatlin/i-m-still-dominant-and-that-s-what-matters-but-rain-snow-sleet-it/) [Justin Gatlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-gatlin/) > [The Four Horsemen whose Ride presages the end of the world are known to be Death, War, Famine, and Pestilence. But even less significant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-four-horsemen-whose-ride-presages-the-end-of-the-world-are-known/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [When the cold comes to New England it arrives in sheets of sleet and ice. In December, the wind wraps itself around bare trees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/when-the-cold-comes-to-new-england-it-arrives-in-sheets-of-sleet-and/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [To be forgotten is to sleep in peace with the undisturbed myriads, no longer subject to the chills and heats, the blasts, the sleet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/to-be-forgotten-is-to-sleep-in-peace-with-the-undisturbed-myriads-no/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [Neither sleet nor rain nor a half inch of snow will compel me to dress like a lumberjack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/neither-sleet-nor-rain-nor-a-half-inch-of-snow-will-compel-me-to/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Outside, the sleet had gotten thicker. You could hear it pebbling against the large glass windows, you could see it swirling wildly through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-chaon/outside-the-sleet-had-gotten-thicker-you-could-hear-it-pebbling/) [Dan Chaon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-chaon/) > [When the wind is blowing and the sleet or rain is driving against the dark windows, I love to sit by the fire, thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/when-the-wind-is-blowing-and-the-sleet-or-rain-is-driving-against-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) ## More by John Gay > [On the choice of friends, Our good or evil name depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/on-the-choice-of-friends-our-good-or-evil-name-depends/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [What frenzy dictates, jealousy believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/what-frenzy-dictates-jealousy-believes/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [Whence is thy learning? Hath thy toil O'er books consumed the midnight oil?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/whence-is-thy-learning-hath-thy-toil-o-er-books-consumed-the-midnight/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [To cheat a man is nothing; but the woman must have fine parts, indeed, who cheats a woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/to-cheat-a-man-is-nothing-but-the-woman-must-have-fine-parts-indeed/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/follow-love-and-it-will-flee-flee-love-and-it-will-follow-thee/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows, Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/fair-is-the-kingcup-that-in-meadow-blows-fair-is-the-daisy-that/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > ['T is woman that seduces all mankind; By her we first were taught the wheedling arts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/t-is-woman-that-seduces-all-mankind-by-her-we-first-were-taught-the/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of love. I hate a flincher in either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/fill-it-up-i-take-as-large-draughts-of-liquor-as-i-did-of-love-i-hate/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [A rich rogue nowadays is fit company for any gentleman; and the world, my dear, hath not such a contempt for roguery as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/a-rich-rogue-nowadays-is-fit-company-for-any-gentleman-and-the-world/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [A Wolf eats sheep but now and then; Ten thousands are devour'd by men. An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/a-wolf-eats-sheep-but-now-and-then-ten-thousands-are-devour-d-by-men/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [A man is always afraid of a woman that loves him too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/a-man-is-always-afraid-of-a-woman-that-loves-him-too-much/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [ \[Gulliver was soon being read\] "from the cabinet council to the nursery". ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/gulliver-was-soon-being-read-from-the-cabinet-council-to-the-nursery/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [Sure men were born to lie, and women to believe them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/sure-men-were-born-to-lie-and-women-to-believe-them/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [Exercise thy lasting youth defends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/exercise-thy-lasting-youth-defends/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [The careful insect 'midst his works I view, Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew, With golden treasures load his little thighs, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/the-careful-insect-midst-his-works-i-view-now-from-the-flowers/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) [Explore all 115 John Gay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) ## More Ankles quotes > [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) > [The sugar maple is remarkable for its clean ankle. The groves of these trees looked like vast forest sheds, their branches stoppingshort at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-sugar-maple-is-remarkable-for-its-clean-ankle-the-groves-of-these/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I've broken all my fingers, I've broken my hand, ribs, ankles... everything, I've broken everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sky-blu/i-ve-broken-all-my-fingers-i-ve-broken-my-hand-ribs-ankles-everything/) [Sky Blu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sky-blu/) > [Never walk near the bed; to a ghost your ankle is your most vulnerable part-once in bed, you're safe; he may lie around under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/never-walk-near-the-bed-to-a-ghost-your-ankle-is-your-most-vulnerable/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [You may feel a tugging sensation near your ankles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/you-may-feel-a-tugging-sensation-near-your-ankles/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [Rock stars are like sports stars: If you snap your ankle, you're done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/rock-stars-are-like-sports-stars-if-you-snap-your-ankle-you-re-done/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [A tall blonde entered the room, wearing a yellow sash that marked her as advocate. Two men followed her, carrying papers. She was lean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/a-tall-blonde-entered-the-room-wearing-a-yellow-sash-that-marked-her/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [We're told cars cause pollution. A hundred years ago city streets were ankle deep in horse excrement. What kind of pollution do you want?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/we-re-told-cars-cause-pollution-a-hundred-years-ago-city-streets-were/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [In the past five weeks I've trained hard, trying to get my ankle back to where I want it to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-flintoff/in-the-past-five-weeks-i-ve-trained-hard-trying-to-get-my-ankle-back/) [Andrew Flintoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-flintoff/) > [It isn't a coincidence that governments everywhere want to educate children. Government education, in turn, is supposed to be evidence of the state's goodness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/llewellyn-rockwell/it-isn-t-a-coincidence-that-governments-everywhere-want-to-educate/) [Llewellyn Rockwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/llewellyn-rockwell/) > [I have kind of loose ankles a little bit, and sometimes that's not always good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee/i-have-kind-of-loose-ankles-a-little-bit-and-sometimes-that-s-not/) [David Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee/) > [Doctor." Gideon set one ankle on the opposite knee and settled back, creating a picture of unyielding decisiveness. "The only way I'm keeping my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/doctor-gideon-set-one-ankle-on-the-opposite-knee-and-settled-back/) [Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/) > [Why do guys insist on wearing those odious jeans with their rear ends hanging down around their ankles? Do they really think it's hot?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kluger/why-do-guys-insist-on-wearing-those-odious-jeans-with-their-rear-ends/) [Steve Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kluger/) > [Dancers, you know, they have pain everywhere: ankles in the morning, or back or neck or ribs or knees or the muscles. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/dancers-you-know-they-have-pain-everywhere-ankles-in-the-morning-or/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) Browse all 239 Ankles quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should the big last extend the shoe too wide, Each stone will wrench the unwary step aside; The sudden turn may stretch the swelling vein, The cracking joint unhinge, or ankle sprain; And when too short the modish shoes are worn, You'll judge the seasons by your shooting corn.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Gay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy-feet-through-freezing-snows/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ankles" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy-feet-through-freezing-snows/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/440/john-gay-4141_ankles_let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy_352140.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect thy feet Through freezing snows, and rains, and soaking sleet; Should…” — John Gay", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Gay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Let firm, well hammer'd soles protect...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy-feet-through-freezing-snows/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/let-firm-well-hammer-d-soles-protect-thy-feet-through-freezing-snows/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```