The Fox and the Mask

137. THE FOX AND THE MASK. A Fox had stolen into the house of an actor, and in rummaging among his various properties, laid hold of a highly-finished Mask. “A fine-looking head, indeed!” cried he; “what a pity it is that it wants brains!”
A fair outside is but a poor substitute for inward worth. [more info]

The Wolf and the Tragic Mask

2.14. De lupo et persona tragoedi
Caxton: Of the wulf and of the dede mans hede
Many one ben whiche haue grete worship and glorye / but noo prudence / ne noo wysedom they haue in them wherof Esope reherceth suche a fable / Of a wulf which found a dede mans hede / the whiche he torned vp so doune with his foote / And sayd / Ha a how fayr hast thow be and playsaunt / And now thow hast in the neyther wytte / ne beaute / & yet thow arte withoute voys and withoute ony thought /
And therfore men ought not only to behold the beaulte and fayrenesse of the body / but only the goodnes of the courage / For somtyme men gyuen glorye and worship to some / whiche haue deseruyd to haue hit /
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The Wolf and the Head

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

The Fox and the Mask

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

The Fox and the Mask

077. THE FOX AND THE MASK. A Fox, being in a shop where vizor-masks were sold, laid his foot upon one of them, and considering it awhile attentively, at last broke out into this exclamation. “Bless me!” says he, “what a handsome goodly figure this makes! What a pity it is that it should want brains!” [more info]

The Fox and the Mask

03. THE FOX AND THE MASK. A Fox entering the apartments of a costumer, found upon the floor a Mask, which was admirable in its imitation of a human head. Taking it up in his paws and observing it carefully, he said, “ Oh, what a beautiful head! But it has no brains.” MORAL. So among men, however handsome the person, it is worthless without mind. [more info]

The Fox and the Tragic Mask

1.07. THE FOX AND THE TRAGIC MASK. A Fox, by chance, casting his eyes on a Tragic Mask: “Ah,” said she, “great as is its beauty, still it has no brains.”
This is meant for those to whom fortune has granted honor and renown, leaving them void of common sense. [more info]

The Fox and the Tragic Mask

1.07. THE FOX AND THE TRAGIC MASK.
A Fox beheld a Mask— “O rare
The headpiece, if but brains were there!”
This holds—whene’er the Fates dispense
Pomp, pow’r, and everything but sense. [more info]

The Fox and the Mask

220. THE FOX AND THE MASK. A FOX entered the house of an actor and, rummaging through all his properties, came upon a Mask, an admirable imitation of a human head. He placed his paws on it and said, “What a beautiful head! Yet it is of no value, as it entirely wants brains.” [more info]

The Fox and the Bust

04.14: THE FOX AND THE BUST.
The great are like the maskers of the stage;
Their show deceives the simple of the age.
For all that they appear to be they pass,
With only those whose type's the ass.
The fox, more wary, looks beneath the skin,
And looks on every side, and, when he sees
That all their glory is a semblance thin,
He turns, and saves the hinges of his knees,
With such a speech as once, 'tis said,
He utter'd to a hero's head.
A bust, somewhat colossal in its size,
Attracted crowds of wondering eyes.
The fox admired the sculptor's pains:
'Fine head,' said he, 'but void of brains!'
The same remark to many a lord applies.
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The Fox and the Mask

20. THE FOX AND THE MASK. A Fox had by some means got into the storeroom of a theatre. Suddenly he observed a face glaring down on him and began to be very frightened; but looking more closely he found it was only a Mask such as actors use to put over their face. "Ah," said the Fox, "you look very fine; it is a pity you have not got any brains."
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth. [more info]

The Fox and the Mask

28. THE FOX AND THE MASK.
A Fox with his foot on a Mask,
Thus took the fair semblance to task.
"You're a real handsome face;
But what part of your case
Are your brains in, good Sir, let me ask?"
MASKS ARE THE FACES OF SHAMS
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