The Leopard and the Fox

176. THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX A Leopard and a Fox had a contest which was the finer creature of the two. The Leopard put forward the beauty of its numberless spots; but the Fox replied, “It is better to have a versatile mind than a variegated body.” [more info]

The Leopard and the Fox

059. THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX. The leopard, one day, took it into his head to value himself upon the great variety and beauty of his spots; and truly he saw no reason why even the lion should take place of him, since he could not show so beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of the forest, he treated them all, without distinction, in the most haughty disdainful manner.
But the fox being among them, went up to him, with a great deal of spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken in the value he was pleased to set upon himself; since people of judgment were not used to form their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but by considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind was stored within. [more info]

The Leopard and the Fox

058. THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX. The leopard, one day, took it into his head to value himself upon the great variety and beauty of his spots; and truly he saw no reason why even the lion should take place of him, since he could not show so beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of the forest, he treated them all, without distinction, in the most haughty disdainful manner.
But the fox being among them, went up to him, with a great deal of spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken in the value he was pleased to set upon himself; since people of judgment were not used to form their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but by considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind was stored within. [more info]

The Fox and the Leopard

155. THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD. THE FOX and the Leopard disputed which was the more beautiful of the two. The Leopard exhibited one by one the various spots which decorated his skin. But the Fox, interrupting him, said, “And how much more beautiful than you am I, who am decorated, not in body, but in mind.” [more info]

The Fox and the Leopard

257. THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD. A Fox and a Leopard were disputing about their looks, and each claimed to be the more handsome of the two. The Leopard said, "Look at my smart coat; you have nothing to match that." But the Fox replied, "Your coat may be smart, but my wits are smarter still." [more info]

The Leopard and the Fox

058. THE LEOPARD AND FOX. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll down to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Fox and the Leopard

THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD. A Fox and a Leopard, resting lazily after a generous dinner, amused themselves by disputing about their good looks. The Leopard was very proud of his glossy, spotted coat and made disdainful remarks about the Fox, whose appearance he declared was quite ordinary.
The Fox prided himself on his fine bushy tail with its tip of white, but he was wise enough to see that he could not rival the Leopard in looks. Still he kept up a flow of sarcastic talk, just to exercise his wits and to have the fun of disputing. The Leopard was about to lose his temper when the Fox got up, yawning lazily.
"You may have a very smart coat," he said, "but you would be a great deal better off if you had a little more smartness inside your head and less on your ribs, the way I am. That's what I call real beauty."
A fine coat is not always an indication of an attractive mind. [more info]