He is FIRE and tow (flax)

Meaning & Analysis

Literally, the proverb states that a person is like fire and tow (flax)—that is, fire brought into contact with highly flammable material, resulting in instant and intense combustion.

Insights

Volatility and Impulsiveness

Describes someone who is quick to ignite emotionally or act with sudden passion or temper, much like how flax bursts into flame at the slightest spark.

Dangerous Combinations

Warns about situations or people whose traits or circumstances are inherently combustible or prone to explosive conflict when brought together.

Historical Symbolism

Tow or flax, common in domestic and rural settings, was notorious for its flammability. The metaphor would be instantly recognizable to early modern audiences, making it a vivid figure for emotional combustibility or perilous combinations.

Cultural and Literary Resonance

Appears in drama (Fletcher and Massinger) and proverb collections, and is echoed in warnings about not bringing 'fire to tow' (F278). Related images are widespread in European folk tradition, where flax and fire signify temptation, danger, or forbidden encounters.

Psychological Dimensions

Speaks to the human tendency toward passionate reaction or susceptibility to provocation. It may also allude to the risks of placing oneself or others in situations where temptation or volatility is high.

Rhetorical Devices

Metaphor

The phrase fuses two simple, concrete images (fire and tow) to represent psychological and social dynamics.

Allusion

Alludes to household knowledge and the physical realities of daily life, making the proverb vivid and grounded.

Ellipsis

Concise structure omits verbs or connectors, giving the saying a brisk, forceful impact.

volatilitypassiondangerimpulsivenesscombustionemotion

Analyzed with gpt-4.1 on July 12, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

For he is fire and flax; and so have at him.

— 1637, FLETCHER AND MASSINGER, Elder Brother, I ii, p. 11

A damrosell amongst young men, is as towe and hurdes amongst hoate fire-brands.

— 1616, DR., s.v. Occasion, no. 1519

— 1639, CL., s.v. Ira, p. 178

All fire and tough.

— 1670, RAY, p. 175

Cross References

See CHAMBERS Scots Dialect Dictionary, p. 174.
F255 Fire cannot be hidden in flax (straw)
F278 Put not fire to tow (flax)

Related Proverbs

L62 To meet one at LAND's END 88.9%F272 It is a dangerous FIRE begins in the bedstraw 88.6%D453 A DOG (man) of wax 87.2%F344 He gave him a FLAP with a foxtail 86.1%F259 FIRE is good for the farcy¹ 86.0%L148 A LEAP in the dark 85.8%N210 To ring NOON on one's head 85.8%F264 FIRE raked up in ashes keeps its heat a long time 85.5%P136 As like as two PEAS (as one PEA is like another) 85.3%A235 AMBITION loses many a man 85.3%N13 You had as good eat your NAILS 85.3%L167 Raw LEATHER will stretch 85.2%F267 He bears (carries) FIRE in one hand and water in the other 85.2%A94 It is an ill AIR where nothing is to be gained 85.0%N4 As naked (bare) as my NAIL 85.0%N14 Drive the NAIL that will go 84.9%P587 To be one's PRIEST 84.9%F732 Drink and be FRIENDS 84.8%C526 He has cut his COMB 84.8%P328 To be tossed from PILLAR (post) to post (pillar, pillory) 84.7%

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