XIII.
A stone being cast by the plough against a lump of earth, hastened to open the conversation as follows:
"Virtue, which is the opposite of vice, is best fostered by the absence of temptation!"
The lump of earth, being taken somewhat by surprise, was not prepared with an apophthegm, and said nothing.
Since that time it has been customary to call a stupid person a "clod."
XIV.
A river seeing a zephyr carrying off an anchor, asked him, "What are you going to do with it?"
"I give it up," replied the zephyr, after mature reflection.
"Blow me if I would!" continued the river; "you might just as well not have taken it at all."
"Between you and me," returned the zephyr, "I only picked it up because it is customary for zephyrs to do such things. But if you don't mind I will carry it up to your head and drop it in your mouth."