Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable XLIV

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. XLIV.

A Snake and a File.

THere was a Snake got into a Smith's Shop, and fell to Licking of a File, She Saw the File Bloudy, and still the Bloudyer it was, the more Eagerly she Lick'd it; upon a Foolish Fancy, that it was the File that Bled, and that She her self had the Better on't. In the Conclusion, when she could Lick no Longer, she fell to Biting; but finding at last that she could do no more Good upon't with her Teeth, then with her Tongue, she Fairly left it.

The Moral.

'Tis a Madness to stand Biting and Snapping at any thing to no manner of purpose, more then the Gratifying of an Impotent Rage, in the fancy of Hurting Another, when in truth, we only Wound our selves.

REFLEXION.

This Fable sets out the Malignity of some Spiteful People, that take so much Pleasure in the Design of Hurting others, as not to Feel, and Understand that they only Hurt themselves. This is the Case of Those that will be Trying Masteries with their Superiors, and Biting of That which is too Hard for their Teeth. There's no Contending with an Adversary that's either Insensible, or Invincible: And the Rule holds, in Matters, not only of Actual Force and Violence, but of Fortune and Good Name; for 'tis no better then Downright Madness, to strike where we have No Power to Hurt, and to Contend where we are sure to be Worded. The Doctrine is this, That Every Man should Consider his Own Strength, and Act accordingly.