A Philosopher noticed multiple skeletons looked the same, no matter the rank of the person. Therefore, true nobility is not physical but in the mind.
True nobility is in the mind.
JBR Collection
A sage Philosopher, who was well versed in all knowledge, natural as well as moral, was one day found in a cemetery deeply absorbed in contemplating two human skeletons which lay before him–the one that of a duke, the other of a common beggar. After some time he made this exclamation: “If skilful anatomists have made it appear that the bones, nerves, muscles, and entrails of all men are made after the same manner and form, surely this is a most convincing proof that true nobility is situated in the mind, and not in the blood.”
Northcote
[Note: The Northcote fable is the same fable as in the JBR Collection above. Only the illustrations and Application associated with the fable in the Northcote book are displayed here.]
Application
This Fable is copied from an Italian author, and bears its moral in itself; therefore little remains to be said, except a confirmation of it in holy writ; where it is said: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and a loving favour rather than silver and gold.(a)” And again: “He that followeth after righteousness, findeth righteousness and honor.(b)”—” All go into one place, all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.(c)”—”The rich and the poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.(d)”
a) Prov. chap. xxii. verse 1.
b) Prov. chap. xxi, verse 21.
c) Eccles. chap. iii, verse 20.
d) Prov. chap. xxii. verse 2.
