The Two Dogs

7.06. De duobus canibus
Caxton: Of the two dogges
He that taketh within hym self vayne glorye of that thynge / by the whiche he shold humble hym self is a very fole / as hit appereth by this fable / of a fader of famylle / whiche had two dogges / of the whiche the one withoute ony barkyng bote the folke / & the other dyd barke & bote not / And whan the fader of famyll perceyued the shrewdnes and malyce of the dogge that barkyd not he henge on his nek a belle / to the ende that men shold beware of hym / wherfore the dogge was ouer prowd and fyers / and beganne to dyspreyse alle the other dogges / of the whiche one of the moost auncyent sayd to hym in this manere / O fole beest / now perceyue I wel thy foly and grete wodenesse to suppose / that this belle is gyuen to the for thyn owne deserte and meryte / but certaynly hit is not soo / For hit is taken to the for thy demerytes / and by cause of thy shrewdnesse / and grete treason / for to shewe / that thow arte fals and traytour /
And therfore none oughte to be Ioyeful and gladde of that thynge / wherof he oughte to be tryst and sorowful / as many foles done / whiche make Ioye of theyr vyces and euyll dedes / for a moche fole were the theef whiche that men ledde for to be hanged / and that he had a cord of gold aboute his neck / yf he shold make Ioye therof / how be hit that the corde were moche ryche and fayre
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The Mischievous Dog

088. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. There was a Dog so wild and mischievous, that his master was obliged to fasten a heavy clog about his neck, to prevent him biting and worrying his neighbours. The Dog, priding himself upon his badge, paraded in the marketplace, shaking his clog to attract attention. But a sly friend whispered to him, “The less noise you make, the better; your mark of distinction is no reward of merit, but a badge of disgrace!”
Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remarked for their vices or follies than not be noticed at all. [more info]

The Mischievous Dog

044. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. A certain man had a dog, which was so curst and mischievous, that he was forced to fasten a heavy clog about his neck to keep him from running at and worrying people. This the vain cur took for a badge of honourable distinction, and grew so insolent upon it, that he looked down with an air of scorn upon the neighbouring dogs, and refused to keep them company. But a sly old poacher, who was one of the gang, assured him, that he had no reason to value himself upon the favour he wore, since it was fixed upon him rather as a mark of disgrace than of honour. [more info]

The Mischievous Dog

025. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. A certain man had a dog, which was so curst and mischievous, that he was forced to fasten a heavy clog about his neck to keep him from running at and worrying people. This the vain cur took for a badge of honourable distinction, and grew so insolent upon it, that he looked down with an air of scorn upon the neighbouring dogs, and refused to keep them company. But a sly old poacher, who was one of the gang, assured him, that he had no reason to value himself upon the favour he wore, since it was fixed upon him rather as a mark of disgrace than of honour. [more info]

The Mischievous Dog

055. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. A DOG used to run up quietly to the heels of everyone he met, and to bite them without notice. His master suspended a bell about his neck so that the Dog might give notice of his presence wherever he went. Thinking it a mark of distinction, the Dog grew proud of his bell and went tinkling it all over the marketplace. One day an old hound said to him: “Why do you make such an exhibition of yourself? That bell that you carry is not, believe me, any order of merit, but on the contrary a mark of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you as an ill mannered dog.”
Notoriety is often mistaken for fame. [more info]

The Mischievous Dog

36. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG
A certain man once had a hound
Who worried all the folks around.
It cost his owner pain and labor
To ward his tricks from friend and neighbor.
At length he tied a heavy clog
About his neck to tame the dog.
To teach him manners if he could,
And make him act as doggies should.
The stupid cur began to holler
And brag about his brand new collar,
Saying: "The honor, to be sure,
Makes the weight easy to endure."
Then spoke a sly old dog at once;
"The honor say you—you poor dunce!
Why must we tell you to your face,
That burden heralds your disgrace!"
Hunt as you will, you can find none so wise,
As to look at himself through other folk's eyes.
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The Mischievous Dog

093. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. A Dog used to run up quietly to the heels of everyone he met, and to bite them without notice. His master suspended a bell about his neck so that the Dog might give notice of his presence wherever he went. Thinking it a mark of distinction, the Dog grew proud of his bell and went tinkling it all over the marketplace. One day an old hound said to him: “Why do you make such an exhibition of yourself? That bell that you carry is not, believe me, any order of merit, but on the contrary a mark of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you as an ill mannered dog.”
Moral. Notoriety is often mistaken for fame. [more info]

The Dog with a Clog

025. THE DOG WITH A CLOG. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll down to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Mischievous Dog

THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. There was once a Dog who was so ill-natured and mischievous that his Master had to fasten a heavy wooden clog about his neck to keep him from annoying visitors and neighbors. But the Dog seemed to be very proud of the clog and dragged it about noisily as if he wished to attract everybody's attention. He was not able to impress anyone.
"You would be wiser," said an old acquaintance, "to keep quietly out of sight with that clog. Do you want everybody to know what a disgraceful and ill-natured Dog you are?"
Notoriety is not fame. [more info]