"That a Grain of Good-nature will preponderate against an Ounce of Wit; a Heart full of Virtue against a Head full of Learning; and a Thimble-full of Content against a Chest full of Gold."
— Dodsley, Robert (1703-1764)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by Ed. Cook
Date
February 3, 1735
Metaphor
"That a Grain of Good-nature will preponderate against an Ounce of Wit; a Heart full of Virtue against a Head full of Learning; and a Thimble-full of Content against a Chest full of Gold."
Metaphor in Context
4 Gent.
I want a small Pair of Scales.
Mast.
You shall have them, Sir.
4 Gent.
Are they exactly true?
Mast.
The very Emblem of Justice, Sir, a Hair will turn 'em.
[Ballancing the Scales.]
4 Gent.
I would have them true, for they must determine some very nice statical Experiments
Mast.
I'll engage they shall justly determine the nicest Experiments in Staticks. I have try'd them myself in some uncommon Subjects, and have prov'd their Goodness. I have taken a large handful of Great Men's Promises, and put into one End; and lo! the Breath of a Fly in the other has kick'd up the Beam. I have seen four Peacock's Feathers, and the four Gold Clocks in Lord Tawdry's Stockings, suspend the Scales in Equilibrio. I have, found by Experiment, that the Learning of a Beau, and the Wit of a Pedant are a just Counterpoise to each other. That the Pride and Vanity of any Man are in exact Proportion to his Ignorance. That a Grain of Good-nature will preponderate against an Ounce of Wit; a Heart full of Virtue against a Head full of Learning; and a Thimble-full of Content against a Chest full of Gold.
(p. 17)
I want a small Pair of Scales.
Mast.
You shall have them, Sir.
4 Gent.
Are they exactly true?
Mast.
The very Emblem of Justice, Sir, a Hair will turn 'em.
[Ballancing the Scales.]
4 Gent.
I would have them true, for they must determine some very nice statical Experiments
Mast.
I'll engage they shall justly determine the nicest Experiments in Staticks. I have try'd them myself in some uncommon Subjects, and have prov'd their Goodness. I have taken a large handful of Great Men's Promises, and put into one End; and lo! the Breath of a Fly in the other has kick'd up the Beam. I have seen four Peacock's Feathers, and the four Gold Clocks in Lord Tawdry's Stockings, suspend the Scales in Equilibrio. I have, found by Experiment, that the Learning of a Beau, and the Wit of a Pedant are a just Counterpoise to each other. That the Pride and Vanity of any Man are in exact Proportion to his Ignorance. That a Grain of Good-nature will preponderate against an Ounce of Wit; a Heart full of Virtue against a Head full of Learning; and a Thimble-full of Content against a Chest full of Gold.
(p. 17)
Categories
Citation
First performed February 3, 1735. 19 entries in ESTC (1735, 1737, 1743, 1746, 1750, 1759, 1765).
The Toy-Shop. A Dramatick Satire, To Which is Added, Beauty: or, The Art of Charming. A Poem. Both by Robert Dodsley. (London: Printed by Ed. Cook, 1735). <Link to ECCO>
The Toy-Shop. A Dramatick Satire, To Which is Added, Beauty: or, The Art of Charming. A Poem. Both by Robert Dodsley. (London: Printed by Ed. Cook, 1735). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
08/19/2013
