|
What's Ben |
What's Verse |
| Advice - Ancestry |
|
ADVICE |
| He that won’t be councell’d, can’t be
help’d. [1747] Fools need Advice most, but wise Men only are the better for
it. [1758]
|
Your head’s not sized
To be advised.
After the huddle,
Still in a muddle?
|
|
ALCOHOL |
He that drinks fast, pays
slow. [1733]
|
Biggest thirst
Won't treat first. |
|
ALIBIS |
| It's common for Men to give 6 pretended
Reasons instead of one real one. [1745] |
Ever ask, "Why?"
It's alibi. |
|
ANCESTRY |
All blood is alike
ancient. [1745]
|
Blood's "blue"?
None's new. |
| Anger-Anti-Social |
|
ANGER & HATE |
| Anger and Folly walk cheek-by-jole;
Repentance treads on both their Heels. [1741] Anger is never without a
Reason, but seldom with a
good One. [1753]
Those who are fear'd, are
hated. [1744]
|
Paired by Cupid,
Hate kissed Stupid.
Reason for rage?
Stuff it with sage.
Hate snares
What scares.
|
|
ANTI-SOCIAL TYPES |
Half-Hospitality opens his
Doors and shuts up his
Countenance. [1746]He is not well bred, that
cannot bear Ill-Breeding
in others. [1748]
|
Snob's warm invitation --
To refrigeration.
Crude Dude
Snubs Rude. |
| Bad Habits |
|
BAD HABITS & REFORM (1) |
| The Wise and Brave dares own that he
was wrong. [1751] The Wolf sheds his Coat once a Year, his Disposition never.
[1755]
In a corrupt Age, the putting the World in order would breed Confusion, then
e'en mind your own Business. [1758]
|
Brave Tarzan’s confessing
(To ape-like regressing).Each temperament:
Clay - in cement.
China's thin,
Don't butt in.
|
|
BAD HABITS & REFORM (2) |
To err is human, to repent
divine, to persist devilish.
[1742]How few there are who have
courage enough to own their
Faults, or resolution enough
to mend them! [1743]
|
Adam resists?
Snake finds new twists.
Fault -- to own,
Then disown.
|
|
BAD HABITS & REFORM (3) |
'Tis easier to prevent bad
habits than to break them.
[1745]Who is strong? He that can
conquer his bad Habits. [1744]
Be at War with your Vices,
at Peace with your
Neighbours, and let every
New-Year find you a better
Man. [1755]
|
You would seed
Habit's weed?
Strength -- it undergoes
Habit's undertows.
Year's ending --
You mending? |
| Bragging & Discretion |
|
BRAGGING &
DISCRETION |
| Here comes Courage! that seiz'd the
lion absent, and run away from the present mouse. [1736] He's a Fool that
cannot conceal his own Wisdom. [1745]
Proclaim not all thou
knowest, all thou owest,
all thou hast, nor all thou
can'st. [1739]
The Tongue offends, and the
Ears get the Cuffing. [1757]
|
Brave outstares
Absent bears.
Twit shows
Twit knows.
Bird brains crow
All they know.
Mouth brays,
Ass pays.
|
| Budgeting - Civility |
|
BUDGETING |
| There is much money given to be laught
at, though the purchasers don’t know it; witness A’s fine horse, & B’s fine
house. [1737] ‘Tis easier to build two Chimneys, than maintain one in Fuel.
[1757]
At a great Pennyworth, pause a while. [1739]
Buy what thou has no need of; and e'er long thou shalt sell thy
necessaries. [1738]
Patience in Market, is worth Pounds in a Year. [1753]
Beware of little Expenses: a
small Leak will sink a great
Ship. [1745]
Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i.e., waste
nothing. [Virtue 5]
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the Philosopher’s-Stone.
[1736]
|
“Big sticker”
Earns snicker.
Gizmo’s free,
But battery …
Steep price?
Brake … twice!
Bought spread,
Begs bread.
Hot sale fool!
Shop when cool.
Don't waste nickels,
Life's blood trickles.
Feed life's need,
Not waste's greed
A financial Plato
Should accumulate dough. |
|
CIVILITY |
| If you have no Honey in your Pot, have
some in your Mouth. [1753] If you'd be loved, make yourself amiable. [1744]
Tart Words make no Friends:
a spoonful of honey will
catch more flies than a
Gallon of Vinegar. [1744]
|
With shoulder chip,
You’re scanning … zip.
To be liked,
Go unspiked.
Sweet and warm
Brings a swarm. |
| Conscience - Death |
|
CONSCIENCE & FUN |
| Employ thy time well, if thou meanest
to gain leisure. [1740] Let no Pleasure tempt thee,
no Profit allure thee, no
Ambition corrupt thee, no
Example sway thee, no
Persuasion move thee, to do
anything which thou knowest
to be Evil; So shalt thou
always live jollily; for a
good Conscience is a
continual Christmas. [1741]
|
Grind … all done;
Perked up fun.When e-mail shows scruples,
Attachment quadruples. |
|
CONTRACTORS |
He that pays for Work
before it's done, has but
a pennyworth for twopence.
[1739]
|
Work - but no money - due?
Jerk, your contract's on you. |
|
DEATH & IMMORTALITY |
Fear not Death; for the
sooner we die, the longer
shall we be immortal. [1740]
|
The sooner we're under,
The sooner the Wonder. |
| Debt - Diet |
|
DEBT & CREDIT |
| The second Vice is Lying; the first is
Running in Debt. [1748] Creditors have better
memories than debtors. [1736]
Industry pays Debts,
Despair encreases them.
[1742]
Lend Money to an Enemy,
and thou'lt gain him; to
a Friend, and thou'lt lose
him. [1740]
Rather go to bed supperless,
than run in debt for a
Breakfast. [1739]
He’s gone, and forgot nothing but to say “Farewell” to his creditors. [1733]
|
Subjectively edit
Accusative credit?One's debts in cash?
Memory crash.
Does cold sweat
Pay your debt?
Swap friend for foe,
Lend either dough.
You're lobster-fed -
And in the red.
Lend to Lout?
Cash -- runs out. |
|
DIET |
Eat few Suppers, and you'll need few
Medicines. [1742]
I saw few die of Hunger;
of Eating -- 100,000. [1736]
He that never eats too much will never be lazy. [1756]
|
Gut fills?
Need pills.More Yanks die of carving
And stuffing than starving.
Overeat? Sticks to seat. |
| Dirt - Doctors |
|
DIRT |
Cleanliness: Tolerate no
uncleanness in body, clothes, or habitation. [Virtue 10]
|
Clean toe to shirt --
Treat dirt like dirt. |
|
DOCTORS |
God heals, and the doctor
takes the Fees. [1736]
He's a Fool that makes his
Doctor his Heir. [1733]
|
God corrects,
Doc collects.
Doc's your heir?...
You still there? |
| Education - Faith |
|
EDUCATION |
Genius without Education is
like Silver in the Mine. [1750]
The ancients tell us what is best; but we must learn of the moderns what is
fittest. [1738]
Proud Modern Learning despises the antient: School-men
are now laughed at by School-boys. [1758]
|
Mind untaught?
Unmined thought.From ancients, the Rays,
From moderns, the ways.
New revision-ism:
Collision - then schism. |
|
FAITH & POSSESSIONS |
| How many observe Christ’s Birth-day!
How few, his Precepts! O! ‘tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments. [1743]
If your Riches are yours,
why don't you take them
with you to t'other World?
[1751]
If worldly Goods cannot save me from Death, they ought not to hinder me of
eternal life. [1751]
|
Set up evergreen joys
Above breakable toys.
All's mine in perpetuity
(Morgue, forward my annuity).
Wired home’s modernity Secures eternity? |
| Faith - Faith |
|
FAITH & SKEPTICISM |
| Admiration is the Daughter of
Ignorance. [1736] In the Affairs of this World Men are saved, not by Faith,
but by the Want of it. [1754]
The Way to see by Faith is
to shut the Eye of Reason:
The Morning Daylight appears
plainer when you put out your
Candle. [1758]
|
"Awesome!" comes out
Gullible's spout.
Heaven takes lambs,
So do most scams.
Is skepticism
Your only prism?
|
|
FAITH & WORK |
Work as if you were to live
100 Years, Pray as if you
were to die To-morrow. [1757]
|
Work like you'll need to forever,
Pray like tomorrow is never. |
|
FAITH WHEN CHALLENGED |
Talking against Religion is
unchaining a Tyger; The
Beast let loose may worry
his Deliverer. [1751]
|
Insult a creed --
invite a beast,
Forget the grace --
guess who's the feast? |
| Faking & Sincerity |
|
FAKING & SINCERITY |
What you would seem to be, be really.
[1744]
Craft must be at charge for
clothes -- but Truth can go
naked. [1747]
Don't judge of Men's Wealth,
or Piety, by their Sunday
Appearances. [1751]
Mankind are very odd
Creatures:
One Half censure what they
practise, the other half
practise what they censure;
the rest always say and do
as they ought. [1752]
A man is never so ridiculous by those Qualities that are his own than those he
affects to have. [1735]
Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly;
and, if you speak, speak
accordingly. [Virtue 7]
|
Better be,
What eyes see.
Truth sleeps nude,
Fake's a prude.
Never measure pious views
With a census of the pews.
Who would do
What they boo?
No, not you.
“Put on” frilly?
Turn off, silly.
Delete mean lies:
From thoughts, words, sighs.
|
| Flattery - Gabbing |
|
FLATTERY |
| A Plowman on his Legs is higher than a
Gentleman on his Knees. [1746] Approve not of him who commends all you say.
[1735]
|
Executive stars
Once … lit … chiefs’ cigars.
Yes manned?
Mess planned.
|
|
FRIENDS & ENEMIES |
| The wise Man draws more Advantage from
his Enemies, than the Fool from his Friends. [1749] Wouldst thou confound
thine Enemy, be good thyself. [1750]
Friendship cannot live with Ceremony, nor without Civility. [1754]
A false Friend and a Shadow, attend only while the Sun shines. [1756]
When Knaves betray each other, one can scarce be blamed, or the other pitied.
[1758]
A Brother may not be a
Friend, but a Friend will
always be a Brother. [1752]
|
Get beat at chess?
Learn … foe’s finesse.
Need crafty snare?
… Try playing fair.
Much scratch or polish
Friendships demolish.
A weatherwise friend
Will stick -- to the wind.
Both snitch -
Can't bitch.
Your sibling's your friend?
The gene's dividend! |
|
GABBING & SILENCE |
Silence: Speak not but what
may benefit others or
your self. Avoid trifling
conversation. [Virtue 2]
Silence is not always a
Sign of Wisdom, but
Babbling is ever Mark of a
Folly. [1758]
|
No use heard?
Mute that word!
Keep dumb -- ride it out...
Babble on - leave no doubt.
|
| Giving - Gratitude |
|
GIVING |
| Liberality is not giving much but
giving wisely. [1748] Gifts much expected are paid, not given. [1753]
The old Man has given all to his Son: Oh fool! To undress thy self before
going to bed. [1733]
|
You donate?
Watch which plate.Giftlist obeyed?
Given - or paid?
Give like Lear?
Crowned with sneer. |
|
GOSSIP & REPUTATION |
| There have been as great Souls unknown
to fame as any of the most famous. [1734] The absent are never without fault,
nor the present without excuse. [1736]
An ill Wound, but not an ill Name, may be healed. [1753]
Do not do that which you
would not have known. [1736]
Glass, China, and Reputa-
tion, are easily crack'd,
and never well mended. [1750]
Hear no ill of a Friend,
nor speak any of an Enemy.
[1739]
Since I cannot govern my own teeth, how can I hope to govern the tongues of
others? [1738]
It is wise not to seek a Secret, and Honest not to reveal it. [1747]
|
Spotless lives!
(Blank archives.)
Absent accused,
Present excused.
Your name skewered?
Can't be cured.
Before getting sordid,
Pretend it's recorded.
Gossip's nasty crack --
Who can glue it back?
Don't smear
My ear.
“Don’t you let slide
What I can’t hide.”
Secrets you’ve spied …
File “Classified”!
|
|
GRATITUDE |
Most People return small
Favours, acknowledge
middling ones, and repay
great ones with Ingratitude.
[1751]
|
Give with great latitude?
Freeze from ingratitude. |
| Greed - Griping |
|
GREED & POVERTY |
Poverty wants some things,
Luxury many things, Avarice
all things. [1735]Avarice and Happiness never saw each other, how then shou’d
they become acquainted. [1734]
|
Want's wants are small,
Hog wants it all.
Joy sniffs greed?
Won’t crossbreed. |
|
GRIEVANCES |
The Sting of a Reproach --
is the Truth of it. [1746]
|
Red face
(Closed case). |
|
GRIPING |
Let thy discontents be thy
Secrets;
-- if the world knows them
'twill despise thee and
increase them. [1741]
The worst wheel of the
cart makes the most noise.
[1737]To serve the Publick faithfully, and at the same time please it
entirely, is impracticable. [1758]
|
Phone, moan...
Dial tone.
Twisted wheel
Burns to squeal.
Socrates
Didn’t please. |
| Health - History |
|
HEALTH |
| If thou wouldst live long, live well;
for Folly and Wickness shorten Life. [1739] We are not so sensible of
the greatest Health as of the least Sickness. [1747]
|
Moral ambiguity
Shortens the annuity.
Rosy health
Blooms in stealth. |
|
HERBS |
Much Virtue in Herbs, little in Men.
[1755]
|
Trust herbs,
Not blurbs.
|
|
HISTORY |
|
Neither praise nor
dispraise, till seven Christmasses be over. [1740] Historians relate,
not so much what is done, as what they would have believed. [1739]
Happy that nation, fortunate that age, when history is not diverting. [1740]
|
Grade op-ed page
That’s … grade-school age.Historians sway
The battles their way.
"Interesting times"
Tick off the enzymes.
|
| Judgment - Lawyers |
|
JUDGMENT |
| Great Good-nature, without Prudence, is
a great Misfortune. [1749] Many complain of their
Memory, few of their
Judgment. [1745]
|
Heart without head?
Tire without tread.
Most blame their recall;
Their sense? Not at all.
|
|
JUSTICE & COMEUPPANCE |
| Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too
severe, seldom executed. [1756] He that sows Thorns, should never go barefoot.
[1756]
Rob not God, nor the Poor, lest thou ruin thyself; the Eagle snatcht a
Coal from the Altar, but it fired her Nest. [1758]
Justice: Wrong none by
doing injuries or omitting
the benefits that are your
duty. [Virtue 8]
|
Law’s seesaw
Flaws its … awe.
Boomerang?
Can defang.
Workers in rattraps?
Fat cats have mishaps.
"Mustn't" and "must"
Please keep me just.
|
|
LAWYERS |
A country man between two Lawyers, is
like a fish
between two Cats. [1737]
|
Between two lawyers?
The blades of sawyers. |
| Laziness - Leadership |
|
LAZINESS & LABOR |
| Idleness is the greatest Prodigality.
[1745] Diligence overcomes Difficulties, Sloth makes them. [1755]
Be always asham'd to catch
thy self idle. [1741]
Industry: Lose no time. --
Be always employed in
something useful. -- Cut off
all unnecessary actions.
[Virtue 6]
Sloth (like Rust) consumes
faster than Labour wears:
the used Key is always
bright. [1744]
The poor man must walk to get meat for his stomach, rich man to get a stomach
to his meat. [1735]
There are lazy Minds as well as lazy Bodies. [1751]
|
Watched … clock
In … hock.Drones?
Moans.
Refuse
Life's snooze.
Time's for use,
Work's its sluice.
Used key:
Rust free.
Labor’s grim?
Who needs gym?
Mental P.T.
Cures atrophy. |
|
LEADERSHIP |
He that cannot obey, cannot
command. [1734]
|
Won't heed?
Can't lead. |
| Learning - Love's Cures |
|
LEARNING FROM
EXPERIENCE |
| He that best understands the World,
least likes it. [1753] He that lives well, is learned enough. [1736]
The Things which hurt,
instruct. [1744]
Wise Men learn by others'
harms, Fools by their own.
[1749]
Observe all men, thy self most. [1740]
|
Sage’s light
Presumes … night.The best degree?
Life's Chemistry.
Thumb burned,
Hand learned.
Another's nicked?
From that predict.
Find clue
To … you.
|
|
LOVE'S CURES |
Love and Tooth-ache have
many Cures, but none
infallible -- except
Possession and Dispossession.
[1751] |
Cure love or tooth-ache:
Just keep or forsake. |
| Luck & Sweat |
|
LUCK
|
| None know the unfortunate, and the
fortunate do not know themselves. [1747] |
Good fortune's wheel
Makes no loud squeal. |
|
LUCK & SWEAT
|
Diligence is the Mother of
Good-Luck. [1736]
He that waits upon Fortune,
is never sure of a Dinner.
[1734]
Industry, Perseverance, &
Frugality, make Fortune
yield. [1744]
|
"Why 'luck'? Explain."
"Through labor's pain."
Hang on luck?
Hanged when stuck.
For luck's fizz,
Stick to biz. |
| Marriage |
|
MARRIAGE |
A Man without a Wife, is but half a
Man. [1755]
Keep your eyes wide open
before marriage,
half shut afterwards. [1738]
Marry above thy match, and
thou'lt get a Master. [1740]
Where there's Marriage without Love, there will be Love without Marriage. [1734]
|
No wife?
Half life.
Eyes open? Propose,
Now married? Half close.
Marry money?
Boss named "Honey."
Coolly wed,
Finds new bed. |
| Maturing - Memory |
|
MATURING |
At 20 years of age the Will reigns; at
30 the Wit; at 40
the Judgment. [1741] |
Youth's grit
Gets wit,
With age
Grows sage.
|
|
MEMORY |
Ill Customs & bad Advice
are seldom forgotten. [1742] |
Memory hugs
Data with bugs. |
| Moderation - Nonsense |
|
MODERATION & EXCESS
|
Nothing brings more pain
than too much pleasure;
nothing more bondage than
too much liberty, (or
libertinism). [1738]
Moderation: Avoid extremes.
Forbear resenting injuries so
much as you think they deserve. [Virtue 9]
|
Ringing too free
Cracks liberty.
Gauged extreme?
Lower steam.
|
|
NONSENSE |
| Clearly spoken, Mr. Fog! You explain
English by Greek. [1741] The learned Fool writes his
Nonsense in better Language
than the unlearned; but
still 'tis Nonsense. [1754]
Great wits jump (says the Poet) and hit his Head against the post. [1735]
|
Dr. Smog’s “explanation”
(In polluted translation).Such eloquence!
(Should it make sense?)
Conclusions leap?
Contusions heap. |
| Nostalgia - Passion |
|
NOSTALGIA |
The Golden Age never was
the present Age. [1750]
|
The Age of Gold?
Always of old. |
|
ORDER |
Order: Let all your things
have their places. Let each
part of your business have its
time. [Virtue 3]
|
Keep, as prison warder,
Time and place in order. |
|
PASSION & REASON |
| Nick’s passions grow fat and hearty;
his Understanding looks consumptive! [1741] He is a Governor that governs his
Passions, and he a Servant that serves them. [1750]
Hear Reason -- or she'll make
you feel her. [1744]
If Passion drives,
let Reason hold the Reins. [1749]
|
Urges flush
Judgment’s blush.
Quizlings to craves -
Rulers or slaves?
Sense ignored?
Senses gored.
You're fueled by zeal?
Sense, mind the wheel! |
| Patience - Planning |
|
PATIENCE |
| What signifies your Patience, if you
can’t find it when you want it? [1747] He that can have Patience,
can have what he will. [1736]
You can bear your own
Faults, and why not a Fault
in your Wife? [1750]
|
Patience’ rays are steady
But not … ever-ready.
Hook...a bright...fate:
Bait…and then … wait.
Bear your own burrs?
Bear his or hers.
|
|
PLANNING & DECIDING |
| When ‘tis fair be sure take your Great
coat with you. [1734] Take counsel in wine, but
resolve afterwards in water.
[1733]
|
Don’t plan to cavort
On a weather report.Plan when high,
Sign when dry. |
| Pleasures - Pride |
|
PLEASURES |
Fly Pleasures, and they'll
follow you. [1738]
Many a Man thinks he is
buying Pleasure, when he is really selling himself a
Slave to it. [1750]
|
Run from fun,
Be outrun.
When pleasure has a price,
Then you're the merchandise. |
|
PREPARATION |
| For want of a Nail the Shoe is lost;
for want of a Shoe, the Horse is lost; for want of a Horse the Rider is lost.
[1752] The Eye of the Master, will do more Work than his Hand. [1744]
|
One loose socket
Downs the rocket.
Artists’ fame lingers
(All in their fingers?) |
|
PRIDE & HUMILITY |
| A Cypher and Humility make the other
Figures & Virtues of ten-fold Value. [1750] If Pride leads the Van, Beggary
brings up the Rear. [1735]
Great merit is coy, as well as great Pride. [1752]
As Pride increases,
Fortune declines. [1744]
Declaiming against Pride
is not always a Sign of
Humility. [1749]
Humility: Imitate Jesus
and Socrates. [Virtue 13]
|
Add modesty or zero?
Ten times the sum or hero.
Nose high,
Feet fly.
Big heads bowed -
For the crowd.
Ego feeds
On luck's seeds.
"Down with elites!
(Quick, grab their seats.)"
When all our peacock
glories please us,
Let's preen at Socrates and Jesus.
|
| Privacy - Procrastination |
|
PRIVACY |
| Nor Eye in a letter, nor Hand in a
purse, nor Ear in the secret of another. [1736] Let all Men know thee, but no
man know thee thoroughly: Men freely ford that see the shallows. [1743]
Love your Neighbour; yet
don't pull down your Hedge.
[1754]
|
Hi-tech … clicking hackers --
Just mousy safecrackers.
You’re “open wide”?
Your secrets … pried.
Care for all -
And your wall. |
|
PROCRASTINATION
|
Have you somewhat to do
to-morrow, do it to-day.
[1742]
He that resolves to mend
hereafter, resolves not
to mend now. [1745]
You may delay -- but Time
will not. [1758]
|
Do tomorrow's chore
Today or before.
"Soon, I will,"
Means "not until."
"Snail, slow
Time's flow!" |
| Promises - Revenge |
|
PROMISES & PERFORMANCE |
|
The proof of gold is fire, the proof of woman, gold; the
proof of man, woman.
[1733]
Mad Kings and mad Bulls, are not be held by treaties & packthread. [1746]
Saying and Doing, have quarrel'd and parted. [1756]
Promises may get thee
Friends, but Non-
performance will turn them
into Enemies. [1740]
Resolution: Resolve to
perform what you ought.
Perform without fail what
you resolve. [Virtue 4]
|
Testing (by marriage)
Your … undercarriage?
Treaty whitlers -
Little Hitlers.
Tongue fixes,
Fist nixes.
Swear to and don't do?
Ex-friends swear at you.
Duty's resolve
Must not disolve. |
|
RESOLUTION |
|
The nearest way to come at glory, is to do that for
conscience which we do for glory. [1737]
|
Valley Forge story:
Not just for glory.
|
|
REVENGE & FORGIVENESS |
'Tis more noble to forgive,
and more manly to despise,
than to revenge an Injury. [1752]
|
The silly brat
Yells, "Tit for tat!" |
| Satire - Self-Deception |
|
SATIRE |
Strange! that a Man who has
wit enough to write a Satyr --
should have folly enough to
publish it. [1742]
|
Satire's cute
In libel suit. |
|
SELF-COMMAND |
Caesar did not merit the
triumphal Car more than he
that conquers himself. [1738]
|
Won Psyche's war?
Here's Caesar's car. |
|
SELF-DECEPTION
|
| Most Fools think they are only
ignorant. [1748] It's the easiest Thing in the World for a Man to deceive
himself. [1746]
Who has deceiv'd thee so
oft as thy self? [1738]
Happy Tom Crump, ne’er see his own Hump. [1758]
|
“If I’d known…”
(Sad … Clown’s … groan.)Fool's Paradise?
No entrance price.
Bait and snap,
I'm my trap.
Want perfection?
Smash reflection. |
| Self-Destruction |
|
SELF-DESTRUCTION
|
Is there anything Men take
more pains about than to
render themselves unhappy? [1738]
Nine men in ten are
suicides. [1749]
They who have nothing to
be troubled at, will be
troubled at nothing. [1741]
|
Girls and boys
Un-wing their joys.
Most knife
Their life.
Why father
Your bother? |
| Self-Interest |
|
SELF-INTEREST &
VIEWPOINT |
| To bear other Peoples Afflictions,
every one has Courage enough, and to spare. [1740] Bargaining has neither
friends nor relations. [1736]
Pray don't burn my House to roast your Eggs. [1751]
The Horse thinks one thing,
and he that saddles him
another. [1754]
Would you persuade, speak
of Interest, not of Reason.
[1734]
|
“Shared your ache --
Pass more cake.”
Family feeling …
Orphaned when dealing.
Peter is roast -
So Paul eats toast.
Jockey and steed --
Always agreed?
Reason? Who cares?
Show 'em their shares! |
| Serenity & Discontent |
|
SERENITY &
DISCONTENT |
Content is the Philosopher's Stone,
that turns all it touches into Gold. [1758]
Nothing dries sooner than a Tear. [1757]
Sorrow is good for nothing but sin. [1750]
A Change of Fortune hurts
a wise Man no more than a
Change of the Moon. [1756]
The discontented Man finds
no easy Chair. [1753]
Who is rich? He that
rejoices in his Portion. [1744]
Content makes poor men rich; Discontent makes rich men poor. [1749]
Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents
common or unavoidable.
[Virtue 11]
|
Prone to purr?
Fears no cur.
Lips frown -
Then clown.
Vice domineers -
Its henchmen, your tears.
Picture all you fear and hope
As a toy kaleidoscope.
Inner storm?
No nest's warm.
Grateful?
Plateful.
Dour?
Poor.
What? To rifles
Over trifles?
|
| Sleep |
|
SLEEP |
He that riseth late, must
trot all day, and shall
scarce overtake his business at night. [1742]
The sleeping Fox catches no
poultry. Up! Up! [1743]
Up, Sluggard, and waste not
life; in the grave will be
sleeping enough. [1741]
|
Wake up late?
Weighty freight.
The chicken's pox?
Not snoozing Fox.
Don't oversleep
Till six feet deep. |
| Stinginess - Success |
|
STINGINESS & SHARING |
| Meanness is the Parent of Insolence.
[1752] Mine is better than Ours. [1756]
Wish a miser long life,
and you wish him no good. [1738]
|
Scrooge’s tip?
Twist-ed lip.Mine? Fine.
Ours? Sours.
"Long life to the miser!"
"Some favor," says Wiser. |
|
STUBBORNNESS |
You may sometimes be much in the wrong,
in owning
your being in the right. [1754]
|
Right to fight
For "I'm right"? |
|
STYLE |
| A Man without ceremony has need of
great merit in its place. [1745] How many mortifications must he suffer, that
cannot bear any thing but beauty, order, elegance & perfection! Your man of
taste, is nothing but a man of distaste. [1748]
Nice Eaters seldom meet with a good Dinner. [1751]
|
(With no court robe)
Judged well … the globe.
Life’s horse-laughed, … debased
(Through thoroughbred “taste”).
Finicky’s spouse
-- A lifelong grouse! |
|
SUCCESS & RUIN |
Success has ruin'd many a
Man. [1752]Setting too good an Example is a Kind of Slander seldom forgiven.
[1753]
|
Midas chokes
On gold jokes.Example
Can trample. |
| Temperance - Time |
|
TEMPERANCE & INDULGENCE
|
Temperance: Eat not to dullness. Drink
not to elevation. [Virtue 1]
|
Don't let liquor and suppers
Be your downers and uppers. |
|
TIME |
Time is an herb that cures
all Diseases. [1738]
|
Time's pills
Cure ills. |
|
TIME WASTING |
| Ah simple Man! When a boy two precious
jewels were given thee, Time, and good Advice; one thou has lost, and the other
thrown away. [1743] Dost thou love Life? Then
do not squander Time; for
that's the Stuff Life is
made of. [1746]
Prodigality of Time produces Poverty of Mind, as well as of Estate. [1758]
|
Time runs on jewels
With no renewals.
Killing time?
Deadly crime:
Time's your "I'm."
Time down the drain
Drags cash and brain.
|
| Underrating - Vice |
|
UNDERRATING & OVERRATING |
| Children and Princes will quarrel for
Trifles. [1752] Praise to the undeserving, is severe Satyr. [1752]
An honest Man will receive neither Money nor Praise that is not his Due.
[1756]
When the Well's dry, we
know the Worth of Water. [1746]
|
Nations, girls, and boys
Struggle over toys.Medals not due?
Heavy on you.
Take shady laurels?
Against my morals.
No worth
Till dearth.
|
|
UPSTARTS |
Sudden Pow'r is apt to be
insolent, Sudden Liberty
saucy; that behaves best
which has grown gradually. [1753]
|
Sudden gains?
Growing pains. |
|
VICE |
Virtue may not always make
a Face handsome, but Vice
will certainly make it ugly.
[1758]
What maintains one Vice
would bring up two Children.
[1747]
|
When Life's debased,
Face gets defaced.
The price of one vice,
Could raise a child - twice. |
| Virtue & Corruption |
|
VIRTUE & CORRUPTION |
| Keep thou from Opportunity, and God
will keep thee from Sin [1744] Hast thou virtue? Acquire also the graces &
beauties of virtue. [1738]
Strive to be the greatest Man in your Country, and you may be
disappointed; Strive to be the best, and you may succeed: He may well win the
race that
runs by himself. [1747]
Sell not virtue to purchase
wealth, nor Liberty to
purchase power. [1738]
Fear to do ill, and you
need fear nought else. [1740]
What more valuable than
Gold? Diamonds. Than
Diamonds? Virtue. [1751]
You may be more happy than Princes, if you will be more
virtuous. [1738]
|
Keep serpent next door?
(Says, “Eden’s a bore.”)
Ethics should shimmer,
Not boil or simmer.
Leave callused behind
In race to be kind.
Soul's invoice:
Had your choice.
Install an alarm
Against doing harm.
What out-golds gold?
A soul unsold.
Happier if blameless,
Than barons when shameless. |
| Visiting - Warning Signs |
|
VISITING |
| Ill Company is like a dog who dirts
those most, that he loves most. [1743] Friendship increases by
visiting Friends, but by
visiting seldom. [1751]
Visit your Aunt, but not
every Day; and call at
your Brother's, but not
every night. [1742]
|
Featherhead guest
(Nicely) fouls nest.
Visits rare?
Welcome there.
Come to stay -
Every day?
|
|
WARNING SIGNS |
| He that carries a small Crime easily,
will carry it on when it comes to be an Ox. [1758] Little Rogues easily become
great Ones. [1754]
|
Little illicit habits
Thrive like complicit rabbits.
Mean little Pig
Pigs out...gets big.
|
| Wise Guys - Wishes |
|
WISE GUYS |
Cunning proceeds from
Want of Capacity. [1751]
Many would live by their
Wits, but break for want
of Stock. [1750]
There's many witty men
whose brains can't fill
their bellies. [1735]The cunning man steals a horse, the wise man leaves him
alone. [1735]
Wouldst though confound thine Enemy, be good thyself. [1750]
|
Those unable
Tilt the table.
Lived by wit -
Out of it?
Bubble - not much trusted,
Brilliant - is now busted.
Judged crafty?
… Jail’s drafty.
For crafty snare
… Play your game fair. |
|
WISHES |
Hope and a Red-Rag, are Baits for Men
and Mackrel. [1742]
Cut the Wings of your Hens and Hopes, lest they lead you a weary Dance
after them. [1754]
If Man could have Half his
Wishes, he would double his
Troubles. [1752]
|
Hyped-up hope:
Legal dope.Rosy glasses
Crack in crashes.
Gasping fish
Caught last wish. |