Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CXLII

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CXLII.

Two Frogs that wanted Water.

UPon the Drying up of a Lake, Two Frogs were forc'd to Quit, and to seek for Water Elsewhere. As they were upon the Search, they Discover'd a very Deep Well. Come (says One to T’other) Let us e’en go down here, without Looking any further. You say well, says her Companion; but what if the Water should fail us Here too? How shall we get Out again?

The Moral.

'Tis Good Advice to Look before we Leape.

REFLEXION.

Hasty Resolutions are seldom Fortunate, and it is a piece of Necessary Prudence, for a Man, before he resolves any thing, to Consider what may be the Consequences of it.

We are taught by the Providence of These Frogs, to Consider the End of things before we Resolve upon the Meanes; for when the Die is Cast, 'tis too late to Wish for Another Chance. In our Deliberations what to do, we should Distinguith betwixt Lawful and Unlawful, Prudential and Foolish, a Less Present Good, and a Consequence of greater Evils, that we be not Betray’d by the Fair Appearances of Things Specious; Frauds and Fallacies, Glittering Outsides, &c. into Inconvenieneyes and Mistakes.

When a Man wants any thing, let him look for’t in Time, and Confider Well beforehand what Occasion he has for’t, and upon What Terms it is to be Had; for there may be such Conditions that a Man would not Comply with, even for the Saving, or Redeeming of his Life. There are Other Cases, where a Man must Part with More for the Getting of a Thing, then That Thing is Worth. Some again, where a Body runs the Risque of an Absolute Ruine, for the Gaming of a Present Supply: Wherefore there's No Remedy eithcr Way, without a Strict Calculation upon the Profit or Loss on Both Sides. I want Mony, but I will not make my self a Slave for’t. I want a Friend at Court, but I will not Forfeit the Character of a Man of Honour, or the Conscicnce of a Christian, and an Honest Man, to Purchase such a Friend: I am in Prison; but [ will not play the Knave to set my self at Liberty. These are All, Necessary Deliberations upon the Matter here in Question. Let us see how we shall get Out again, says the Frog, before we go In.