[2] Hazlitt considers this witticism, found in "Conceits, Clinches, Flashes, and Whimzies" (London, 1639), the earliest of its kind, and calls attention to the discussion as to whether Shakespeare's plays were written by Mr. Preface or Mr. Finis.
A prodigal is like a brush that spends itself to make others go handsome in their clothes.
An antiquary loves everything for being moldy and worm-eaten,—as Dutchmen do cheese.
It was said that a player had "an idle employment of it." "You are mistaken," was the reply, "for his whole life is nothing else but action."
A simple fellow in gay clothes was likened to a cinnamon tree,—because the bark was of more worth than the body.
One asked a favor of a prisoner, saying that he had hitherto found him a fast friend, and hoped he should find him so still.
A scholar who was much given to going abroad, was advised that he put away his cushion, as he would then "sit harder to his study."
It was remarked that "poetry and plain dealing were a couple of handsome wenches." It was replied that "he who weds himself to either of them shall die a beggar."
Why are women so crooked and perverse in their conditions? Because the first woman was made of a crooked thing.
One was advised to marry a little woman, because "of evils the least was to be chosen."