115. A countryman admiring the stately fabric of St. Paul’s, asked, whether it was made in England, or brought from beyond sea?
116. Fabricius, the Roman consul, showed a great nobleness of mind, when the physician of King Pyrrhus made him a proposal to poison his master, by sending the physician back to Pyrrhus, with these memorable words; Learn, O king, to make better choice both of thy friends and of thy foes.
117. A soldier was bragging before Julius Cæsar of the wounds he had received in his face. Cæsar, knowing him to be a coward, told him he had best take heed the next time he ran away, how he looked back.
118. The Trojans sending ambassadors to condole with Tiberius, upon the death of his father-in-law, Augustus, it was so long after, that the emperor hardly thought it a compliment; but told them he was likewise sorry that they had lost so valiant a knight as Hector [slain above a thousand years before].
119. Cato Major used to say, That wise men learnt more from fools, than fools from wise men.
120. A braggadocio chancing, upon an occasion, to run away full speed, was asked by one, What was become of that courage he used so much to talk of? It is got, said he, all into my heels.
121. Somebody asked my Lord Bacon what he thought of poets? Why, said he, I think them the very best writers next to those who write in prose.
122. A profligate young nobleman, being in company with some sober people, desired leave to toast the devil. The gentleman, who sat next to him, said, He had no objection to any of his lordship’s friends.
123. A Scotsman was very angry with an English gentleman, who, he said, had abused him, and called him, false Scot. Indeed, said the Englishman, I said no such thing, but that you were a true Scot.