In a company the conversation turned to Schiller. One lady confessed she did not know where Schiller was born. “For goodness sake, keep still, don’t let anybody hear you,” said her friend; “have you not read the poem: ‘I, too, was born in Arcadia’?”
The Difference
Bishop Ross, famous for his brilliant wit and fine humor, was discussing with some friends a new book, “Thoughts about Time and Eternity,” when some one, who found fault with the title, asked him to explain to him the difference between time and eternity. “If I took the time to explain that to you, it would take me an eternity to make you understand it,” was the bishop’s answer.
An Appropriate Text
During a celebration at Berlin, followed by the distribution of some orders, an old general asked Count Ross whether it was not very hard for clergymen always to find an appropriate Bible text, for sermons on special occasions. “Not as hard as you think,” replied the bishop, “we have our concordance and other books of help, which never fail us.”
“What text would be proper for the present celebration?”
“Oh, that is not hard; you will find it at the beginning of St. Matthew, at the birth of Christ, where the evangelist says of the three wise men: ‘And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.’”
A Flash of Wit
Carl Lachmann was famed for his witty answers. In 1828 he was called to Berlin as rector of the University. One time he was presiding at a meeting of the faculty. It had grown late and pretty dark, when H., the dean of the theological department, entered. On seeing him, Lachmann called to the usher: “Herr Schade, have the lights brought; darkness has entered.”