And dog by merit is preferred to dog,
And warrior cock is pampered for his courage,
And awes the baser brood. But what is man?
Truth, virtue, valour, how do they avail him?
Of this world’s good the first and greatest share
Is flattery’s prize. The informer takes the next.
And barefaced knavery garbles what is left.
I’d rather be an ass than what I am
And see these villains lord it o’er their betters.”
Other Fragments of Menander follow.