"In researching this phrase the trail led to finding it had been given a (faux) book, chapter and verse as though it were Biblical: Hezekiah 6:1.
This is what some would call a “phantom scripture”. It is circulated as if it were Biblical and application should be hastened to allow it to become part of our belief system.
This phrase or precept is not found in the scriptures. Hezekiah is in the Bible. He was the King of Judah for twenty-nine years, but this phrase, is unbiblical.
Some attribute this quote to Ben Franklin printed in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. Others suggest it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled, Discourses Concerning Government. Going back further yet, it is eerily similar to Aesop’s Fable called, Hercules and the Wagoneer, that states, “The gods help them that help themselves.” Regardless of its origination, it is in opposition to the Word of God except for a sprinkle of truism. That being, this is not to advocate that we have a pass for inactivity. We are accountable for being obedient to God."
Speaking of wittiness and dog's names, the dean of the law school I attended long ago had a dog named "Trover." "Trover" is a common-law action to recover the value of personal property that has been wrongfully taken by another.
In Elizabeth Jenkins's quite excellent biography "Elizabeth the Great," is the following account of a dental problem experienced by the good queen:
" The toothache the queen had had since October, came in December to a raging climax that kept her without sleep for forty-eight hours. Elizabeth was forty-five, but she had never had a tooth pulled out, and combined with unwillingness to lose one was a shrinking from the operation itself. A meeting of the Privy Council was convened to deal with this emergency, at which the ministers listened to the opinion of a tooth-drawer called Fenatus. He told them it was possible to dress the tooth with a preparation of fenugreek that would make it fall out of itself, but in that case, great care had to be taken to protect the teeth on either side. What he recommended was immediate extraction by the ordinary method. The Council, having heard him, decided upon extraction to a man, and a body of them, taking a surgeon with them, waited on the exhausted queen. They had the advantage that among their number was Elizabeth's lifelong admirer John Aylmer, now Bishop of London. . . . The Council's view was repeated to the queen, and before she could open her lips to protest, Dr. Aylmer said to her that he had not many teeth left in his head, but such as he had were entirely at her service. The surgeon should now pull one of them out, and she would see that it was no such great matter. The surgeon then drew one of the bishop's teeth, and the queen consented to have her own taken out."
Re San Diego Sarah's comment about doom predictions--see Stephen Hawking's prediction published on line today that the human race will experience a major die-off in the next thousand years. Given the outcome of the recent U.S. election, I think it could come much sooner. We'll have to wait and see.
I can't resist adding to the compendium of the history of ladies' under-garments the quip attributed to Lyndon Johnson that "Richard Nixon has done to this country what panty-hose did to f*****-d*******."
City life down to this day is not everybody's cup of tea:
"L.A. proved too much for the man (Too much for the man, he couldn't make it) So he's leaving a life he's come to know, ooh (He said he's going) He said he's going back to find (Going back to find) Ooh, what's left of his world The world he left behind not so long ago
" He's leaving (Leaving) On that midnight train to Georgia, yeah (Leaving on the midnight train) Said he's going back (Going back to find) To a simpler place and time, oh yes he is (Whenever he takes that ride, guess who's gonna be right by his side) I'll be with him (I know you will) On that midnight train to Georgia (Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia, woo woo) I'd rather live in his world (Live in his world) Than live without him in mine."
Re Robinson's comment about Sam's concern for his "reputation"--we all should bare in mind the following bit of received wisdom: When your reputation's done, Prepare yourself for a life of fun.
Agua Scripto's comment about barbers brings to mind what sometimes is said to be the world's oldest recorded joke, dating back to 5th Century Athens: Homer is asked by his barber how he wants his hair cut, and replies, "In silence."
The Order of the Coif persists in the U.S. as a law school honorary society generally awarded to the top 10% of each graduating class at participating schools. It should not be confused with the likewise highly regarded lawyers' drinking club known as The Order of the Quaff.
Speaking of other characters being missed, does anyone know who CGS was and what became of him? He certainly presented a fine stew of information and wit . . .
Athens, Rome, the Weimar Republic come to mind, although an argument can be made about whether and when a dictator becomes a king. Plutocracies seem to be the most popular sequelae lately.
Comments
Second Reading
About Monday 14 March 1663/64
Clark Kent • Link
One suspects that Tom spent (heh) his Saturday nights religiously boxing the bishop.
About Tuesday 23 February 1663/64
Clark Kent • Link
"In researching this phrase the trail led to finding it had been given a (faux) book, chapter and verse as though it were Biblical: Hezekiah 6:1.
This is what some would call a “phantom scripture”. It is circulated as if it were Biblical and application should be hastened to allow it to become part of our belief system.
This phrase or precept is not found in the scriptures. Hezekiah is in the Bible. He was the King of Judah for twenty-nine years, but this phrase, is unbiblical.
Some attribute this quote to Ben Franklin printed in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. Others suggest it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled, Discourses Concerning Government. Going back further yet, it is eerily similar to Aesop’s Fable called, Hercules and the Wagoneer, that states, “The gods help them that help themselves.” Regardless of its origination, it is in opposition to the Word of God except for a sprinkle of truism. That being, this is not to advocate that we have a pass for inactivity. We are accountable for being obedient to God."
--From "The Hallowed Path" blog
About Wednesday 17 February 1663/64
Clark Kent • Link
Speaking of wittiness and dog's names, the dean of the law school I attended long ago had a dog named "Trover." "Trover" is a common-law action to recover the value of personal property that has been wrongfully taken by another.
About Wednesday 2 December 1663
Clark Kent • Link
In Elizabeth Jenkins's quite excellent biography "Elizabeth the Great," is the following account of a dental problem experienced by the good queen:
" The toothache the queen had had since October, came in December to a raging climax that kept her without sleep for forty-eight hours. Elizabeth was forty-five, but she had never had a tooth pulled out, and combined with unwillingness to lose one was a shrinking from the operation itself. A meeting of the Privy Council was convened to deal with this emergency, at which the ministers listened to the opinion of a tooth-drawer called Fenatus. He told them it was possible to dress the tooth with a preparation of fenugreek that would make it fall out of itself, but in that case, great care had to be taken to protect the teeth on either side. What he recommended was immediate extraction by the ordinary method. The Council, having heard him, decided upon extraction to a man, and a body of them, taking a surgeon with them, waited on the exhausted queen. They had the advantage that among their number was Elizabeth's lifelong admirer John Aylmer, now Bishop of London. . . . The Council's view was repeated to the queen, and before she could open her lips to protest, Dr. Aylmer said to her that he had not many teeth left in his head, but such as he had were entirely at her service. The surgeon should now pull one of them out, and she would see that it was no such great matter. The surgeon then drew one of the bishop's teeth, and the queen consented to have her own taken out."
Good help like that is hard to find these days.
About Sunday 15 November 1663
Clark Kent • Link
Re San Diego Sarah's comment about doom predictions--see Stephen Hawking's prediction published on line today that the human race will experience a major die-off in the next thousand years. Given the outcome of the recent U.S. election, I think it could come much sooner. We'll have to wait and see.
About Wednesday 7 October 1663
Clark Kent • Link
Perhaps Sam is love-sick over Mrs. Lane. As Sir John Suckling so eloquently observed,
"Love is the fart of every heart;
It pains a man when it is kept close,
And others doth offend,
When 'tis set loose."
About Thursday 4 June 1663
Clark Kent • Link
I can't resist adding to the compendium of the history of ladies' under-garments the quip attributed to Lyndon Johnson that "Richard Nixon has done to this country what panty-hose did to f*****-d*******."
About Friday 15 May 1663
Clark Kent • Link
Speaking of Lord Hinchingbroke's hunting accident--has anyone researched Dick Cheney's genealogy?
About Thursday 30 April 1663
Clark Kent • Link
City life down to this day is not everybody's cup of tea:
"L.A. proved too much for the man
(Too much for the man, he couldn't make it)
So he's leaving a life he's come to know, ooh
(He said he's going)
He said he's going back to find
(Going back to find)
Ooh, what's left of his world
The world he left behind not so long ago
" He's leaving
(Leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia, yeah
(Leaving on the midnight train)
Said he's going back
(Going back to find)
To a simpler place and time, oh yes he is
(Whenever he takes that ride, guess who's gonna be right by his side)
I'll be with him
(I know you will)
On that midnight train to Georgia
(Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia, woo woo)
I'd rather live in his world
(Live in his world)
Than live without him in mine."
About Tuesday 17 March 1662/63
Clark Kent • Link
Nor was his name "Donald" . . .
About Tuesday 3 March 1662/63
Clark Kent • Link
As to Sam being capable of bearing a grudge--some of us pride ourselves on our good memories and bad attitudes. Helps one go far.
About Sunday 22 February 1662/63
Clark Kent • Link
Re Robinson's comment about Sam's concern for his "reputation"--we all should bare in mind the following bit of received wisdom:
When your reputation's done,
Prepare yourself for a life of fun.
About Monday 2 February 1662/63
Clark Kent • Link
Coventry, Sam, and the rest of the naval administration seem inspired by the Greek credo "First secure an independent income, then practice virtue."
About Friday 30 January 1662/63
Clark Kent • Link
The transmogrification of "genitalia" into "feet" puts a twist on the expression connoting being tripped up--to "stub one's toe."
About Friday 16 January 1662/63
Clark Kent • Link
Agua Scripto's comment about barbers brings to mind what sometimes is said to be the world's oldest recorded joke, dating back to 5th Century Athens: Homer is asked by his barber how he wants his hair cut, and replies, "In silence."
About Monday 1 December 1662
Clark Kent • Link
Jeanine's poultry-conundrum has in fact been solved--it was the rooster.
About Sunday 30 November 1662
Clark Kent • Link
The New York Times motto since 1896: All the news that's fit to print.
About Saturday 15 November 1662
Clark Kent • Link
The Order of the Coif persists in the U.S. as a law school honorary society generally awarded to the top 10% of each graduating class at participating schools. It should not be confused with the likewise highly regarded lawyers' drinking club known as The Order of the Quaff.
About Tuesday 4 November 1662
Clark Kent • Link
Speaking of other characters being missed, does anyone know who CGS was and what became of him? He certainly presented a fine stew of information and wit . . .
About Thursday 30 October 1662
Clark Kent • Link
Athens, Rome, the Weimar Republic come to mind, although an argument can be made about whether and when a dictator becomes a king. Plutocracies seem to be the most popular sequelae lately.