“Beer drinking doesn’t do half the harm of lovemaking”

Eden Philpotts (1862-1960) wrote in his play The Farmer’s Wife (first performed in 1916):
 
“Beer-drinking don’t do half the harm of love-making. For why? Drink’s a matter between a man and himself. Love’s a matter between a man and a woman; and that means the next generation. If I was the Government I’d give the drunkards a rest and look after the lovers.”
 
“Beer drinking doesn’t (sic) do half the harm of lovemaking” has been included in many collections of beer sayings
 
 
Wikipedia: The Farmer’s Wife (play)
The Farmer’s Wife is a romantic comedy play by the British writer Eden Philpotts. It was first staged in Birmingham in 1916. Its London premiere was in 1924. By 1926 when Laurence Olivier went on tour in the lead role, the play had already been performed 1,300 times.
 
Synopsis
After his wife dies, a farmer goes through an elaborate attempt to persuade one of his various female neighbours to marry him without realising that the ideal woman is already working as his housekeeper.
 
Google Books
The Farmer’s Wife:
A Comedy in Three Acts
By Eden Phillpotts
Kessinger Publishing (Kessinger.net)
2004 (Originally written in 1916—ed.)
Pg. 3:
ASH. Beer-drinking don’t do half the harm of love-making. For why? Drink’s a matter between a man and himself. Love’s a matter between a man and a woman; and that means the next generation. If I was the Government I’d give the drunkards a rest and look after the lovers.
 
28 December 1924, Boston (MA) Herald, “The Farmer’s Wife” by Eden Philpotts, Sunday Herald Magazine, pg. 6, cols. 1-2:
“Beer drinking,” he said, tapping a horny finger on the table, “don’t do half the harm of love-making. Drink’s a matter between a man and himself. Love’s a matter between a man and a woman and that means the next generation. If I was the government I’d give the drunkards a rest and look after the lovers.”
 
Google Books
The Beer Drinker’s Companion:
Facts, Fables and Folklore from the World of Beer
By John Dallas and Charles McMaster
Edinburgh: Edinburgh Publishing Company
1993
Pg. 72:
Beer drinking don’t do half the harm of lovemaking. - Eden Philpotts, The Farmer’s Wife.
     
Dev Shed Forums
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April 14th, 2004, 10:03 AM
(...)
“Beer drinking doesn’t do half the harm of lovemaking.
- Eden Philpotts, The Farmer’s Wife.”
 
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Beer drinking doesn’t do half the harm of lovemaking.—Eden Philpotts
9:00 PM - 21 Oct 12