This hyperbole is evidently a mere fiction joined on to a truth for the purpose of frightening the proud into humility.  The end sanctifieth the means, as we well know from other instances recorded in the Talmud.

Those who mourn for deceased relatives are prohibited from entering a tavern for thirty days, but those who mourn for either father or mother must not do so for twelve months.

Semachoth, chap. 9.

A creature that has no bones in his body does not live more than twelve months.

Chullin, fol. 58, col. 1.

The Alexandrians asked Rabbi Joshua twelve questions; three related to matters of wisdom, three to matters of legend, three were frivolous, and three were of a worldly nature—­viz, how to grow wise, how to become rich, and how to ensure a family of boys.

Niddah, fol. 69, col. 2.

There was once a man named Joseph, who was renowned for honoring the Sabbath-day.  He had a rich neighbor, a Gentile, whose property a certain fortune-teller had said would eventually revert to Joseph the Sabbatarian.  To frustrate this prediction the Gentile disposed of his property, and with the proceeds of the sale he purchased a rare and costly jewel which he fixed to his turban.  On crossing a bridge a gust of wind blew his turban into the river and a fish swallowed it.  This fish being caught, was brought on a Friday to market, and, as luck would have it, it was bought by Joseph in honor of the coming Sabbath.  When the fish was cut up the jewel was found, and this Joseph sold for thirteen purses of gold denarii.  When his neighbor met him, he acknowledged that he who despised the Sabbath the Lord of the Sabbath would be sure to punish.

Shabbath, fol. 119, col. 1.

This story cannot fail to remind those who are conversant with Herodotus or Schiller of the legend of King Polycrates, which dates back five or six centuries before the present era.  Polycrates, the king of Samos, was one of the most fortunate of men, and everything he took in hand was fabled to prosper.  This unbroken series of successes caused disquietude to his friends, who saw in the circumstance foreboding of some dire disaster; till Amasis, king of Egypt, one of the number advised him to spurn the favor of fortune by throwing away what he valued dearest.  The most valuable thing he possessed was an emerald signet-ring, and this accordingly he resolved to sacrifice.  So, manning a galley, he rowed out to the sea, and threw the ring away into the waste of the waters.  Some five or six days after this, a fisherman came to the palace and made the king a present of a very fine fish that he had caught.  This the servants proceeded to open, when, to their surprise, they came upon a ring, which on examination proved to be the very ring which had been cast away by the king their master. (See Herodotus, book iii.)

Among the many legends that have clustered