I think it iz good taste, and also good judgement, when a man prays for the sins ov the people, that he should count himself in.
[I think it is good taste, and also good judgement, when a man prays for the sins of the people, that he should count himself in.]
Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1876-01 (1876 ed.)
(Source)
This showed up again in the Allminax entry for 1878-01:I allwuss think that it is good taste, and pretty good religion too, when a man prays for the sins ov the people, to count himself in.
[I always think that it is good taste, and pretty good religion, too, when a man prays for the sins of the people, to count himself in.]
In the British Wit and Wisdom of Josh Billings (1913) [ed. H. Montague], this is given (with standard spelling):I always did think that it was good taste and pretty good religion too, when a man prayed for the SINS of other folks, to include himself also.

