Happy the ready wit of men of parts,
Who on himself can turn the villain’s arts!
Reflection.
Experience makes many a wise man of a fool, and security makes many a fool of a wise man. We have an instance of the former in the Cock’s over-reaching the Fox; and of the other in the Fox’s supine confidence, that made him so intent upon his prey, as to neglect his safety; and to fall himself into the pit that he had digged for another. It is much the same case in the world, when Providence is pleased to confound the presumptuous, the false, the mighty, and the bloodthirsty by judgments of lice and frogs—that is to say, by the most despicable of instruments; and that frequently at a crisis of time, when they think themselves sure of the success of their mischievous projects.
Fable XXVIII.
The Ants and a Grasshopper.
As the Ants were airing their provisions one winter, a hungry Grasshopper begged a charity of them. They told him, that he should have wrought in summer, if he would not have wanted in winter. Well, says the Grasshopper, but I was not idle neither; for I sung out the whole season. Nay then, said they, you’ll e’en do well to make a merry year of it, and dance in winter to the tune that you sung in summer.
Morals.
Action and industry is the business of a wise and a good man, and nothing is so much to be despised as slothfulness. Go to the Ant, thou sluggard, says the Royal Preacher, consider her ways, and be wise; which in a few words sums up the moral of this fable.