THE
FABLES
OF
ANIANUS, &c.
Fab. CCXV.
An Oak and a Willow.
THere happen’d a Controverſie betwixt an Oak and a Willow, upon the Subject of Strength, Conſtancy and Patience, and which of the Two ſhould have the Preference. The Oak Upbraided the Willow, that it was Weak and Wavering, and gave way to Every Blaſt. The Willow made no Other Reply, then that the next Tempeſt ſhould Reſolve That Queſtion. Some very little while after This Diſpute, it Blew a Violent Storm. The Willow Ply’d, and gave way to the Guſt, and ſtill recover'd it ſelf again, without receiving any Damage: But the Oak was Stubborn, and choſe rather to Break then Bend.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
THERE are Many Caſes, and Many Seaſons, wherein, Men muſt either Bend or Break: But Conſcience, Honour, and Good Manners, are firſt to be Conſulted. When a Tree is Preſs'd with a ſtrong Wind,the Branches may Yield, and yet the Root remain Firm, But Diſcretion is to Govern us, Where and when we may be Allow'd to Temporize, and where, and when not. When Bending or Breaking is the Queſtion, and Men have No Other Choice before them, then either of Complying, or of being Undone; 'tis No Eaſie Matter to Diſtinguith, Where, When, How, or to What Degree, to Yield to the Importunity of the Occaſion, or the Diffi-culty
