Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLXVI
Fab. CLXVI.
A Bee-matter.
THere came a Thief into a Bee-Garden in the Absence of the Master, and Robb’d the Hives. The Owner Discover'd it upon his Return, and stood Pausing a while to Be-think himself, how This should come to pass. The Bees, in This Interim, came Laden home out of the Fields from Feeding, and Missing their Combs, they fell Powdering in Swarms upon their Master. Well (says he) you area Company of Senceless and Ungrateful Wretches, to let a Stranger go away Quietly that has Rifled ye, and to bend All your Spite against your Master, that is at this Instant Beating his Brains how he may Repair and Preserve ye.
The MORAL.
'Tis the Course of the World for People to take their Friends for their Foes, and to Use them accordingly.
REFLEXION.
THE Mistake of a Friend for an Enemy, or of an Enemy for a Friend, is one of the most Pernicious Errors of a Rash Man's Life; for there's Judgment, good Nature, Generosity, Justice, common Prudence, and All at Stake. Nothing can be more Disobliging toa Friend on the One hand, or more Ruinous to my self on the Other. Charity however bids me Hope and Think the Best, provided at the Same Time, that I Secure the main Chance. Now this Caution holds as well in Politiques, as in Morals; and in Publique Cases as well as in Private; for there is Nothing more Frequent, then for People to take their Oppressors for their Protectors, and their Protectors for Oppressors: As the Bees here Spar'd the Thief and fell foul upon them Keeper. This is the very Humour of the Mobile when they Mistake their Man.