The man who has nothing to boast of but his illustrious ancestry, is somewhat like a potatoe, the only good thing is under ground.
Thomas Overbury (1581-1613) English poet
Characters (1612)
(Source)
Referenced in John Ireland, Letters and Poems by the Late Mr. John Henderson (1786). Variant: "The man who has not anything to boast of but his illustrious ancestors, is like a potatoe, the only good belonging to him is under ground." -- The Lady's Monthly Museum (June 1807).
Quotations by:
Overbury, Thomas
He that tells a lie to save his credit, wipes his mouth with his sleeve to spare his napkin.
Thomas Overbury (1581-1613) English poet
Newes from the Lower End of the Table