I will paint you in your proper colours, that is, I will describe you as you are, that your friends may see with what sort of man they have to do: with us, the expression is always used in a bad sense.

"The Thrush when he defiles the bough, Sows for himself the seeds of woe." Men of over communicative dispositions, who divulge what may by their adversaries be turned to their disadvantage, may be compared to the thrush, who is said to sow, with his excrements, the seeds of the misletoe on which it feeds. From the bark of the misletoe bird-lime is made, with which the thrush, as well as other birds, are not unfrequently taken. The eagle that had been shot, was doubly distressed on discerning that the arrow which inflicted the wound, was winged with a feather of his own.

It is disgraceful to be silent. When a man is conscious that he is capable of instructing his fellow-citizens, or those with whom he is connected, in any art that might be beneficial to them, it is disgraceful, or perhaps criminal, to withhold it.

«Be niggards of advice on no pretence,
For the worst avarice is that of sense».

It may also be said by any one, who should find others not so well qualified as himself, acquiring honour by the practice of any art or profession, I must now exert myself, and shew these men, that it was not through incapacity, that I have hitherto abstained, «It would be disgraceful to be any longer silent», and to a circumstance of this kind, the adage is said to have owed its origin.

May be said to any one pretending an intimate acquaintance with the private concerns of another; and I will tell you the subject of your last night's dream.