Flies may not be everybody’s favourite mini-beasties but they come in amazing colours and patterns, and you might be surprised how many famous people have mentioned them in their quotations.

‘A closed mouth catches no flies.’ ~ Miguel de Cervantes

‘As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport.’ ~ William Shakespeare

‘Laws are spider webs through which the big flies pass and the little ones get caught.’ ~ Honore de Balzac

‘A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.’ ~ Benjamin Franklin

‘Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me still.’ ~ Isaac Watts