We of this age have discovered a shorter, and more prudent method to become scholars and wits, without the fatigue of reading or of thinking. - Jonathan Swift

Seamen have a custom, when they meet a whale, to fling him out an empty tub by way of amusement, to divert him from laying violent hands upon the ship.

There are certain common privileges of a writer, the benefit whereof I
hope there will be no reason to doubt; particularly, that where I am not
understood, it shall be concluded that something very useful and profound
is couched underneath; and again, that whatever word or sentence
is printed in a different character shall be judged to contain something
extraordinary either of wit or sublime.

I know Sir John will go, though he was sure it would rain cats and dogs.