“Pray, mother, what are similes?”

“They are resemblances, my child; the word simile means a thing that is like another. We often use them to give clearness and energy to our ideas. I will tell you some similes in common use, and put into rhyme so that you may remember them.

• “As proud as a peacock—as round as a pea;
• As blithe as a lark—as brisk as a bee.
• As light as a feather—as sure as a gun;
• As green as the grass—as brown as a bun.
• As rich as a Jew—as warm as toast;
• As cross as two sticks—as deaf as a post.
• As sharp as a needle—as strong as an ox;
• As grave as a judge—as sly as a fox.
• As old as the hills—as straight as a dart;
• As still as the grave—as swift as a hart.
• As solid as marble—as firm as a rock;
• As soft as a plum—as dull as a block.
• As pale as a lily—as blind as a bat;
• As white as a sheet—as black as my hat.
• As yellow as gold—as red as a cherry;
• As wet as water—as brown as a berry.
• As plain as a pikestaff—as big as a house;
• As flat as the table—as sleek as a mouse.
• As tall as the steeple—as round as a cheese;
• As broad as ’tis long—as long as you please.”

Proverbs and Sayings of the Chinese.

What is told in the ear is often heard a hundred miles.

Riches come better after poverty, than poverty after riches.

Who aims at excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims at mediocrity will fall short of it.

Old age and faded flowers, no remedies can revive.

One lash to a good horse; one word to a wise man.

A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.

He who toils with pain, will eat with pleasure.

A wise man forgets old grudges.