A new story of Adam Smith was told recently at a convention in Kirkaldy,
Scotland, the birthplace of the economist. The professor fell in love
and proposed. The offer was refused. Next day the lady met Smith in
Princess street, Edinburgh, and reopened the question of the proposal,
about which she had been thinking. "You remember what I said?" the lady
inquired, and the philosopher replied that he did. "Well," added the
lady, "I was only joking." "You remember what I asked?" said Smith.
"Yes" replied the lady. "Well," said Smith, "I was only joking too."
1802
It is said that Sir Walter Raleigh once made a wager with Queen
Elizabeth that he could weigh the smoke from his tobacco pipe. He
weighed the tobacco before smoking, and the ashes afterwards. When
Elizabeth paid the wager, she said, "I have seen many a man turn his
gold into smoke, but you are first who has turned his smoke into gold."
1803
Among unequals what society
Can sort, what harmony, or true delight?
--_Milton._
1804
Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's
integrity.
--_Dr. South._
1805
Society is no comfort
To one not sociable.
--_Shakespeare._
1806
If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be
taught many things which you know already.
--_Lavater._
1807
Society is ever ready to worship success, but rarely forgives failure.
--_Mme. Rowland._
1808
_Johnson_:--"Sir, your levellers wish to level down as far as
themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves. They would
all have some people under them; why not then have some people above
them?"
--_Boswell's Johnson._
1809
The true art of being agreeable is to appear well pleased with all the
company, and rather to seem well entertained with them, than to bring
entertainment to them.
1810