Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCXIX and CCCXX

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CCCXIX.

A Boar and a Fox.

AS a Boar was Whetting his Teeth against a Tree, up comes a Fox to him. Pray what do you Mean by That? (says he) for I see no Occasion for't. Well, says the Boar, but I do; for when I come once to be Set upon, 'twill be too Late for me to be Whetting, when I should be Fighting.

Fab. CCCXX.

A Wolfe and a Porcupine.

YOUR Porcupine, and your Hedge-Hog, are somewhat Alike, only the Former has longer and sharper Prickles then the Other; And these Prickles he can Shoot, and Dart at an Enemy. There was a Wolfe had a Mind to be Dealing with him, if he could but get him Disarm’d first; and so he told the Porcupine in a friendly Way, that it did not look Well for People in a Time of Peace, to go Arm’d, as if they were in a State of War; and so Advis'd him to lay his Bristles aside; for (says he) You may Take them up again at pleasure. Do you talk of a State of War? says the Porcupine, Why That's my Present Case, and the very Reason of my Standing to my Arms, so long as a Wolfes in the Company.

The Moral of the Two Fables above.

No Man, or State can be Safe in Peace that is not always in readiness to Encounter an Enemy in case of a War.

REFLEXION.

ALL Bus'ness that is Necessary to be done should be done Betimes: And there's as little Trouble of doing it In Season too, as Out of Season : Neither is it Effectually done at all, but in the Proper time of Doing it: So that 'tis Good Discretion, and Good Advice, to provide against Danger before-hand; for he that's always Ready can never be taken with a Why-not.

'Tis a piece of Good Councel, in All the Affairs of Humane Life, to take care of Securing our Selves that we be not either Betray’d, or Surprizd: Butas it is Wisdom to keep our Selves upon a Guard; so it is Matter of Good Manners also, and Respect; neither to do, nor to say any thing, that may Import a Jealousy, or a Distrust. All the Duties of Government, and Society ; Nay, All Offices, Civil and Religious, where Prudence, Conscience, or Common Faith are concern'd, have their Proper Seasons. 'Tis too Late to Hinder Mischief when the Opportunity is once past, and therefore the Timing of Things is a Main Point in the Dispatch of All Affairs. There can be no Safe, or Sure Peace, where People are not always in readiness for War; for the Common Well-being of Mankind, does not so much Depend upon the Faith of Men, and of Governments, as upon the Temporary and Contingent Occasions of breaking the Peace with Advantage. 'Tis not Publique Justice Alone, that can Uphold a Government, without the Aid of Policy and Councel. Men do Naturally Indulge. Those Opinions and Practices, that favour their Pretentions; and ’tis too much to Superadd Powerful Temptations to do Wrong, to the Force of Vicious Inclinations to do it. The Boar’s Whetting his Teeth, was only an Act of Necessary Precaution, for fear of the Worst: And the Porcupine did Wisely too, in keeping himself upon his Guard when the Enemy was in View.