Where does the saying "Waste not, want not" come from?

Question

Where does the saying "Waste not, want not" come from?

Answer 1

the great depression

Answer 2

I always thought it as being if you waste nothing you'll want for nothing??

There's probably a much better explanation to come along though.

Answer 3

It is a proverb, traced as far back as 1772.

The web site below gives several variations.