Most of those who make collections of verse or epigram are like men eating cherries or oysters: they choose out the best at first, and end by eating all.

Summary

This quote suggests that individuals who compile collections of poems or witty sayings often select the best ones first, leaving behind the lesser ones. However, as they continue to expand their collection, they eventually include everything they come across, disregarding the quality. The comparison to eating cherries or oysters implies that the initial selection is done carefully, but over time, the standards are lowered, resulting in a collection that includes both good and mediocre pieces.

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