latter 'shows his hand'; everybody can tell the exact length of his tether; he has trotted himself out so often that all his points and paces are matters of notoriety. But of the taciturn man little or nothing is known. Omne ignotum pro magnifico: 'The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb.' Friends and acquaintances shake their heads knowingly and exclaim with an air of authority that 'so and so' has a great deal more in him than people imagine. 'They are as often wrong as right; but what need that signify to the silent man? He can sustain his reputation as long as he likes by the simple process of holding his tongue.""-FRANCIS JACOX, A.D. 1874, Scripture Proverbs. "It is written among the Proverbs of Solomon that 'Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise.' Even the fool that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. The wise king declares in another place that a fool's mouth is his destruction and that his lips are the snare of his soul. Let him keep his mouth closed and his folly is an unknown quantity; out of sight out of mind. Let him keep his lips shut and wisdom shall be imputed unto him. Of him lookerson will say, a discreet man that-For they are only lookers-on, not listeners. To listen would break the spell. As it is they are apt to count him as deep as he is still. Do not still waters run deep?"-FRANCIS JACOX, Secular Annota VARIANT PROVERBS Deepest waters stillest go. (English). It is the shallowest water that makes the most noise. (Irish-Ulster). It is the smooth waters that run the deepest. (IrishUlster). Quiet waters, deep bottoms. (Belgian). Shaal waters mak the maist din. (Scotch). Silent men, like still waters, are deep and dangerous. (English). Steady and deep. (Hindustani). Smooth waters run deep. (English). The deepest rivers flow with the smallest noise. (Latin). ALLIED PROVERBS A silent dog will bite the heels. (Tamil). A smooth river washes away its banks. (Servian). Barking dogs seldom bite. (English). Believe not that the stream is shallow because its surface Beware of a man who never speaks and of a dog who never barks. (Portuguese). Beware of a silent dog and still water. (English). Beware of the smooth currents of a river and of a man's glances on the ground-still waters run deep and a man who looks down is not to be trusted. (Osmanli). Dumb dogs and still waters are dangerous. (German). Empty vessels give the greatest sound. (English). Every devil can hunt his own swamp-See "In a still pool swarm devils." (Russian). From a silent man and from a dog that does not bark deliver us. (Spanish). From smooth (or still) water God preserve me; from rough (or running) I will preserve myself. (Italian, Spanish). In a still pool swarm devils. The reference is to the Vodyanoy or water sprite. (Russian). In the coldest flint there is hot fire. (English). It is the empty car that makes the greatest noise-when in motion. (Irish-Ulster). It is the empty cart that makes the noise. (Irish-Armagh). It is the water which stands there calm and silent that takes (drowns) a man. (Ashanti). Mistrust the water that does not warble and the stream that does not chirp. (Armenian). Nothing rattles in the kettle except the bones—Shallow people do the most talking. (Syrian). Take heed of still waters, the quick pass away. (English). The most covered fire is the strongest. (French). Where the stream is shallowest greatest is its noise. (Gaelic). STRETCH YOUR LEGS ACCORDING TO YOUR COVERLET Know your limitations and go not beyond them. Not The saying is said to have had its origin in the following old Palistinean folk story: A certain old man, realizing that he could not live long desired to commit the management of his property, which was large, to one of his three sons who were associated with him in business. knowing which was the most capable to assume the responsibility he decided to test them by a ruse. Providing himself with a quilted cotton coverlet that was too short for his bed he feigned illness and sent for each of his sons in turn to come and nurse him, beginning with the oldest. The first had scarcely taken his place in the sick room before the old man complained that his feet were cold and that the coverlet, or ilhalf, as it was called, was not spread over them; whereupon the son drew it down over his feet, but in so doing uncovered his neck and shoulders. This seemed to displease the old man for he at once became enraged and declared that it was quite as important to have his chest and arms covered as his feet; so the young man drew the ilhalf up again, at the same time asked his father if he might go and get a larger one as there were plenty in the house. "No!" retorted the old man in apparent anger, "I am too weak to bear any greater weight on my body." The son patiently remained by his father's bedside all day and the next night drawing the ilhalf up and down according to his wishes and returning kindness and service for fretful murmurings and open complaints. Then the second son was called and passed through a like experience, dutifully obeying his father's orders and patiently enduring his father's faultfindings. He, like his brother, suggested a larger covering but was not permitted to go for it. At last the youngest son was sent for, and ministered to his father with the same patient durance as did his brothers, but observed that the old man, who constantly complained of weakness, was not so weak but that he could eat large meals with a relish. This led him to suspect that his father was deceiving him by feigning illness. Excusing himself for a few moments he went into the garden and secured a flexible rod from a pomegranate tree. Concealing it from sight he waited for the old man to speak. It was not long before he began as before to grumble over his cold extremities; but instead of seeking to appease his father the young man seized the rod and brought it down on the bed with great violence, close to the old man's feet, saying as he did so, "Very well, father! stretch your legs |