Who said this famous quote and what are the full words of it?

Question

Something like "He whose only things to boast of are his ancestors, his only things are underground?" but much more eloquently? It basically meant "If all you've got is your famous predecessors, you've got nothing."

Answer 1

"The man who has not anything to boast of but his illustrious ancestors is like a potato -- the only good belonging to him is underground."
-- Thomas Overbury

Answer 2

I found this poem online. Hope it helps.

Family Tree

I climbed my family tree and found it was not worth the climb;
And so, I scampered down, convinced it was a waste of time.
Some branches of my tree, I found, were rotten to the core.
And, all the tree was full of sap and hung with nuts galore!
I used to brag of my kinfolk, before I made the climb,
But truth compels me not to tell of those not worth a dime.
And I beg friends who boast aloud of their ancestors great,
To climb their family tree and learn of those who weren't so straight.
I've learned what family trees are like, I've seen them growing 'round.
They're like a 'tater' vine because, the best are underground!

~Author Unknown