Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCXXVII

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CCCXXVII.

An Impertinent and a Philosopher.

A Certain Pragmatical, Senceless Companion would make a Visit to a Philosopher. He found him Alone in his Stuty, and fell a VVond’ring how he could Endure to Lead so Solitary a Life, The Learned Man told him; Sir, says he, You are Exceedingly Mistaken; for I was in very Good Company till You came In.

The MORAL.

Good Thoughts and Good Bosks are very Good Company.

REFLEXION.

A Wise Book is much better than a Foolish Companion; And the Dead, in such a case, are much Better then the Living. It is one of the most vexatious Mortifications perhaps, of a Sober, and a Studious Mans Life, to have his Thoughts Disorder'd, and the very Chain of his Reason Discompos'd, by the Importunity of a Tedious, and an Impertinent Visit. Espccially, if it be from a Fool of Quality, where the very Figure of the Man Entitles him to All Returns of Good Manners and Respect. And the Aff;iction is yet more Grievous, where That Prerogative of Quality, is further Back’d and Corroborated, with a Real Kindness, and Good Will: For a Man must be Inhumane, and Ungrateful, as well as Rude, if he does but so much as Offer, at the Easing, or the Relieving of Himself. The Drift of This

Fable at last, is to tell us, that Good Books and Good Thoughts are the Best Company, and that they are Mistaken that think a Wise Man can ever be Alone. It prepares us also to Expect Interruptions, and Disappointments, and to Provide for 'em; but withal, to take the Best Care we can to Prevent the Plague of Ill Company, by avoiding the Occasions of it. The Linking of a Man of Brains and Honesty into a Lewd Insipid Conversation, is Effectually but the Moral of That Tyrant, that Bound the Living, and the Dead together, and yet This is it which the Impertiaent takes for the Relief of Solitude, and the Blessing of That which he calls Company.