Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCCXIX
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Fab. CCCCXIX.
A Cuckow and Littie Birds.
A Cuckow was asking several Little Birds, what made them so Shy of coming into her Company. They told her, that she was so like a Hawk, they did not care to have any thing to do with her.
The Moral.
A Wise Man Searches into the Nature of Things, and does not Govern himself by outward Semblances and Appearances.
REFLEXION.
There should a Regard be had in all our Actions and Counsels, to the Nicety of the matter in Question. This is to tell us, that the very Appearances of Evil are to be Avoided, and all the Semblances of Danger to be well Examin'd and Confider'd. Why should not a Bird as well trust a Hawk that's like a Cuckow, as trust a Cuckow that's like a Hawk? Two Likes may be Mistaken, and a Man cannot be too wary where the Error is Mortal. There may be a Disguise ‘tis true, in the one case, and a misapprehension in the other; but it is safer yet to stand upon our Guard against an Enemy in the likeness of a Friend, then to Embrace any Man for a Friend in the likeness of an Enemy. There’s No Snare like Credulity, when the Bait that's laid for us is cover'd with the pretence of a Good Office. Neither are there any Impostures fo Pernicious, as those that are put upon us by Fair Resemblances, He that is not certain, (in such an Instance as this,) is in danger; and 'tis ill Venturing (Neck and all especially,) where a Body is not very sure, whether it be a Hawk or a Cuckow.