Contents
-BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.
John Selden
Alteration of Religion is dangerous, because we know not where it will stay: ’tis like a Millstone that lies upon the top of a pair of Stairs; ’tis hard to remove it, but if once it be thrust off the first stair, it never stays till it comes to the bottom.Ceremony keeps up all things: ’Tis like a Penny-Glass to a rich Spirit, or some excellent Water; without it the Water were spilt, the Spirit lost.He that has a scrupulous conscience is like a horse that is not well wayed, he starts at every bird that flies out of the hedge. A knowing man will do that which a tender-conscience man dares not do by reason of his ignorance, the other knows there is no hurt: as a child is afraid to go into the dark when a man is not because he knows there is no danger.Religion is like the Fashion: one Man wears his Doublet slashed, another laced, another plain; but every Man has a Doublet. So every man has his Religion. We differ about Trimming.Wit and wisdom differ; Wit is upon the sudden turn, Wisdom is in bringing about ends. Nature must be the ground-work of Wit and Art; otherwise whatever is done will prove but Jack-Pudding’s work. Wit must grow like Fingers. If it be taken from others, ’tis like Plums stuck upon black Thorns; there they are for a while, but they come to nothing.
