Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable LV
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Fab. LV.
A Fox and a Weazel.
A Slam, Thin-Gutted Fox made a Hard Shift to Wriggle his Body into a Hen-Roost, and when he had stuff’d his Guts well, he squeez’d hard to get out again; but the Hole was too Little for him. There was a Weazle a pretty way off, that stood Learing at him all This While. Brother Reynard; (says he) Your Belly was Empty when you went In, and you must e'en ftay till Your Belly be Empty again, before you come Out.
The Moral.
Temperance keeps the Whole Man in Order, and in a Good Disposition, either for Thought or Action, but the Indulging of the Appetite brings a Clog, both upon the Body and Mind.
REFLEXION.
In a Middle State, both of Body, and of Fortune a man is better Dispos'd for the Offices of Humane Society, and the Functions of Reasonable Nature; and the Heart is also Freer from Cares and Troubles. There are Unwieldy Minds as well as Unwieldy Bodies, and the Fumes of the One Obstruct the Operations of the Other. The Head of a Philosopher will never do well upon the Shoulders of an Epicure. The Body and the Soul are Inseparable Companions, and it is against the Nature of This Reasonable Union, for the One to be a Clog to the Other. The Foxe's here, is the Case of Many a Publick Minister, that comes Empty In, but when he has Cram’d his Gutts well, he’s fain to squeeze hard before he can get off again; and glad to Compound with his very Skin for his Carcases.