The Fables of Æsop, and Others. Aesop
he would take care of him. Oh! replies the other, keep as far off as you can, I entreat you: it is you I am most afraid of; for whether the stream dash you against me, or me against you, I am sure to be the sufferer, and, therefore, I beg of you do not let us come near one another.
APPLICATION.
A man of moderate fortune, who is contented with what he has, and finds he can live happily upon it, should be particularly guarded against the ill-judged ambition of associating with the rich and powerful, for what in them is œconomy, would in him be the height of extravagance; and at the very time they honour him with their countenance, they are leading him on to his ruin. People of equal conditions may float down the current of life without hurting each other; but it is no easy matter to steer one’s course in company with the great, so as to escape without a bulge: neither is it desirable to live in the neighbourhood of a very great man; for whether we ignorantly trespass upon him, or he knowingly encroach upon us, we are sure to be the sufferers.
THE MOLE AND HER DAM.
The young Mole snuffed up her nose, and told her Dam she smelt an odd kind of a smell. Bye and bye, O strange! says she, what a noise there is in my ears, as if ten thousand hammers were going. A little after, she was at it again: look, look, what is that I see yonder? it is just like the flame of a fiery furnace. The Dam replied, pray child hold your idle tongue; and if you would have us allow you any sense at all, do not affect to shew more than nature has given you.
APPLICATION.
By affectation, we aim at being thought to possess some accomplishment which we have not, or at shewing what we have, in a conceited ostentatious manner. There is scarcely any species of ridiculous behaviour, which is not derived from it; it grows out of folly and insincerity; it derogates from genius; it is the bane of beauty, and diminishes its charms; it is disagreeable to others, and hurtful to the person who uses it; it detracts from some real possession, and makes qualities that would otherwise pass well enough, appear nauseous and offensive; and whoever indulges in it, may be sure to lay themselves open, and call forth the attention of others to notice their vanity. To cure ourselves of affectation, we have only to call in the aids of truth and sincerity, which will cut off the whole train of its follies at one stroke.
THE GOAT, THE KID, AND THE WOLF.
The Goat going abroad to feed, shut up her young Kid at home, charging him to bolt the door fast, and open it to nobody till she herself should return. The Wolf who lay lurking hard by, heard the charge given, and soon after came and knocked at the door, counterfeiting the voice of the Goat, and desired to be admitted. The Kid looking out at the window, and finding the cheat, bade him go about his business, for, however he might imitate a Goat’s voice, yet he appeared too much like a Wolf to be trusted.
APPLICATION.
Deceit, hypocrisy, and villainy, are constantly on the watch to entrap and ensnare the innocent and the unwary. Every beautiful woman is commonly surrounded by a kind of men who would undermine her virtue; and inexperienced men of fortune, in the outset of life, are almost constantly beset with rogues and sharpers; and these artful villains, under one specious pretext or another, too often effect the ruin of the weak and unsuspicious of both sexes. As a guard against all these, the early admonitions of parents are of inestimable worth: they are built upon the tenderest regard, and the most sincere affection. Those who have already travelled over the difficult paths of life, and buffeted its storms, have observed the snares and the dangers with which the way is strewed, and they are enabled by their experience, to forewarn those who are about to launch out on the troubled ocean of life, to steer their course clear of its hidden rocks, its shoals, and its quick-sands. Did youth but know the importance of this early advice, how eagerly would they treasure it in their minds, and as occasion required, with what pleasure would they draw it forth, and obey its dictates. To the neglect of these precepts, may be attributed much of the ill conduct we see in the world, and most of the misfortunes which befal mankind through life.
Honour thy Father and thy mother that thy Days may be long in the land which The LORD thy God giveth Thee.
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