A rich lawyer, whose fortune had been made by the practice of his profession, desired to bequeath a certain sum to the insane asylum of Bedlam. Being questioned why, he replied that he had got his money of mad men, and he would give it to them again.
The trade of tooth drawer is a conscienceless one, because it is "nothing else but to take away those things whereby every man gets his living."
"A vainglorious man" was bragging that his father and uncle had founded a certain hospital. One answered, "'Tis true, but yet know that your father and your uncle were the mere confounders (co-founders) of that hospital you speak of."
It was said that corn was a quarrelsome creature, because it rose by the blade, and fell by the ears with those that cut it.
A tailor was commended for his dexterity, whereupon it was remarked that tailors had their business at their fingers' ends.
Colliers and mine-workers, it was said, should be well acquainted with all the philosophical secrets of the earth, because they had a deeper knowledge of it than any others.
"Of all knaves there's the greatest hope of a cobbler, for though he be never so idle a fellow, yet he is still mending."
"A smith," said one, "is the most pragmatical fellow under the sun, for he hath always many irons in the fire."
The proverb, "Wit bought is better than wit taught," had added to it the comment, "because he that never bought any is but a natural wit," embodying the play on the word "natural," the early name for "fool."
Tall men are the most happy, because they are nearer heaven than other men. They should also be great politicians, because they have extraordinary reach.