. Fables of Aesop and others. is Fable we are cautioned to consider what any personis before v:e make an attack upon him, after any manner what-soever; particularly, how we let our tongues slip in censuringthe actions of those who are, in the opinion of the world, notonly of an unquestionable reputation, so tliat nobody will believewhat we insinuate against them; but of such an influence, uponaccount of their own veracity, that the least word from therawould ruin our credit to all intents and purposes. If wit be thecase, and we have a satirical vein, which at certain periods musthave a flow, l
. Fables of Aesop and others. is Fable we are cautioned to consider what any personis before v:e make an attack upon him, after any manner what-soever; particularly, how we let our tongues slip in censuringthe actions of those who are, in the opinion of the world, notonly of an unquestionable reputation, so tliat nobody will believewhat we insinuate against them; but of such an influence, uponaccount of their own veracity, that the least word from therawould ruin our credit to all intents and purposes. If wit be thecase, and we have a satirical vein, which at certain periods musthave a flow, let us be cautious at whom we level it; for if thepersons understanding be of better proof than our own, all ouringenious sallies, like spirits squirted against the wind, will re-coil back upon our own faces, and make us the ridicule of eve-ry spectator. This fable, besides, is not an improper emblemof envy; which, rather than not bite at all, will fall foul whereit can hurt nothing but i tself. FAB. XXIV The Fox and the A Fox having tumbled by chance into a well, had ^SOPS FABLES. 63 been casting about a long while, to no purpose, howhe should get out again; when, at last, a Goat cameto the place, and wanting to drink, asked Reynardwhether the water was good: good, says he; ay, sosweet that I am afraid that I have surfeited myself, 1have drank so abundantly. The Goat upon this,without any more ado, leaped in; and the Fox, ta-king the advantage of his horns, by the assistance ofthem as nimbly leapt out, leaving the poor Goat atthe bottom of the well to shift for himself. THE APPLICATION. The doctrine taught us by this Fable is no more than this,that we ought to consider who it is that advises us, before wefollow the advice. For, however plausible the counsel mayseem, if the person that gives it is a crafty knave, we may beassured that he intends to serve himself in it, more than us, ifnot to erect something to his own advantage out of our ruin. The little, poor country at
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