A man with but one leg is a better man than a man with two legs, for
the reason that there is less of him.
XIV.
A man without any legs is better than a man with one leg; not because
there is less of him, but because he cannot get about to enact so much
wickedness.
XV.
When an ostrich is pursued he conceals his head in a bush; when a man
is pursued he conceals his property. By instinct each knows his enemy’s
design.
XVI.
There are two things that should be avoided; the deadly upas tree and
soda water. The latter will make you puffy and poddy.
XVII.
This list of things to be avoided is necessarily incomplete.
XVIII.
In calling a man a hog, it is the man who gets angry, but it is the hog
who is insulted. Men are always taking up the quarrels of others.
XIX.
Give an American a newspaper and a pie and he will make himself
comfortable anywhere.
XX.
The world of mind will be divided upon the question of baptism so long
as there are two simple and effective methods of baptising, and they
are equally disagreeable.
XXI.
They are not equally disagreeable, but each is disagreeable enough to
attract disciples.
XXII.
The face of a pig is a more handsome face than the face of a man—in the
pig’s opinion.
XXIII.
A pig’s opinion upon this question is as likely to be correct as is a
man’s opinion.
XXIV.
It is better not to take a wife than to take one belonging to some
other man: for if she has been a good wife to him, she has adapted her
nature to his, and will therefore be unsuited to yours. If she has not
been a good wife to him she will not be to you.
XXV.
The most gifted people are not always the most favoured: a man with
twelve legs can derive no benefit from ten of them without crawling
like a centipede.
XXVI.
A woman and a cow are the two most beautiful creatures in the world.
For proof of the beauty of a cow, the reader is referred to an ox; for
proof of the beauty of a woman, an ox is referred to the reader.
XXVII.
There is reason to believe that a baby is less comely than a calf, for
the reason that all kine esteem the calf the more comely beast, and
there is one man who does not esteem the baby the more comely beast.
XXVIII.
To judge of the wisdom of an act by its result is a very shallow plan.
An action is wise or unwise the moment it is decided upon.
XXIX.
If the wisdom of an action may not be determined by the result, it is
very difficult to determine it.
XXX.
It is impossible.
XXXI.
The moon always presents the same side to the earth because she is
heaviest on that side. The opposite side, however, is more private and
secluded.
XXXII.
Camels and Christians receive their burdens kneeling.
XXXIII.
It was never intended that men should be saints in heaven until they
are dead and good for nothing else. On earth they are mostly
XXXIV.
Fools.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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