Esau sells his birthright for a mess of pottage.
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Esausaid,Behold,Iamatthe pointto die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day: and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and roseup, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Bible (Old Testament)Said Periander, "Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage."
PlutarchOne wit, like a knuckle of ham in soup, gives a zest and flavour to the dish, but more than one serves only to spoil the pottage.
tobias smollettFair is the marigold, for pottage meet.
john gaySaid Periander, "Hesiod might as well have kept his breath to cool his pottage."