| Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916. | | | | Demophilus |
| | | To listen to the advice of a treacherous friend is like drinking poison from a golden cup. | 1 |
| It is the case with children as with plants, that their future character is indicated by their early dispositions. | 2 |
| The disposition is moulded in a happy manner by instruction, as the shapeless material assumes a beautiful form in the hands of a skilful artist. | 3 |
| Education is, to its possessor, like a golden crown, in which honour is united with intrinsic worth. | 4 |
| Flattery resembles the picture of a suit of armour in this respect, that it is calculated to yield delight, not to render any actual service. | 5 |
| Fortune resembles an unjust distributor of the Olympic prizes, in so much as she most frequently bestows her favours on the undeserving. | 6 |
| As the harbour is the refuge of the ship from the tempest, so is friendship the refuge of man in adversity. | 7 |
| Frugality, like a short and pleasant journey, is attended with much enjoyment and little toil. | 8 |
| It is equally precarious to moor a ship by an insufficient anchor, and to ground hope on a capricious temper. | 9 |
| The judgment of the wise is, like gold, distinguished for its superior weight. | 10 |
| A good man, like a well trained wrestler, ought to struggle against adversity with the whole energy of his faculties. | 11 |
| The mind, when imbued with the lessons of wisdom, is like a charioteer; for it restrains the desires implanted in us, and brings us back to virtue. | 12 |
| The wealth of misers, like the evening sun sinking below the horizon, contributes nothing to the enjoyment of mankind. | 13 |
| Vain and frivolous persons, like empty vessels, are easily laid hold of and borne along by the ears. | 14 |
| As swallows give us intimation of fair weather, so the lessons of philosophy point out to us the way to attain tranquility of mind. | 15 |
| Prattlers, like swallows, destroy the pleasure of conversation by incessant loquacity. | 16 |
| Raillery, like salt, should be used sparingly. | 17 | | |
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