Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.
Contemptible
Contemptible as pebbles to an admirer of diamonds.
—Honoré de Balzac
Contemptible as habitual contempt.
—Elias L. Magoon
As contemptible as any man who breaks open a lock, or as any rascal on the lookout for a house left defenseless and without protection, or as any adventurer looking for some easy and profitable stroke of business.
—Guy de Maupassant