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The Fables of Æsop, and Others / With Designs on Wood cover

The Fables of Æsop, and Others / With Designs on Wood

Chapter 333: APPLICATION.
By Aesop
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About This Book

A series of short allegorical tales uses animals and everyday situations to dramatize human virtues and vices, offering concise moral conclusions. Each entry presents a simple incident—often involving cunning, pride, greed, generosity, or prudence—and concludes with a pointed lesson or aphorism. Themes include the consequences of folly and deceit, the rewards of wisdom and honesty, and the value of moderation. The collection is arranged as brief, easily memorizable fables intended for instruction and reflection, pairing narrative economy with direct ethical guidance.

THE HAWK AND THE FARMER.

A Hawk, in the eagerness of his pursuit after a Pigeon, flew with such violence against the corner of a hedge, that he was stunned and fell. A Farmer, who had been looking about his fields, saw the whole transaction, and instantly ran and picked up the Hawk, and was going to kill him; but the latter begged the Man would let him go, assuring him he was only following a Pigeon, and neither intending, nor had done, any harm to him. To which the Farmer replied, and what harm had the Pigeon done to you? and wrung his head off immediately.

APPLICATION.

In all our transactions through life, to suppose ourselves in the place of those we may be dealing with, will be the most certain check upon our own conduct; and we ought always to consult our conscience about the rectitude of our behaviour: for this we may be assured of, that we are acting wrong, whenever we are doing any thing to another, which we should think unjust, if it were done to us. Let those, therefore, who intend to act justly, but take this view of things, and all will be well. There will be no danger of their oppressing others, or fear of their falling into error or danger themselves. Nothing but an habitual inadvertency as to this particular, can be the occasion of so many ingenuous noble spirits being so often engaged in courses opposite to virtue and honour.