[796:4] This reflection, No. 99 in the edition of 1665, the author suppressed in the third edition.

In all distresses of our friends

We first consult our private ends;

While Nature, kindly bent to ease us,

Points out some circumstance to please us.

Dean Swift: A Paraphrase of Rochefoucauld's Maxim.

[[797]]

J. DE LA FONTAINE.  1621-1695.

The opinion of the strongest is always the best.