Aesop and the Insolent Man

3.05. ÆSOP AND THE INSOLENT MAN. Success leads many astray to their ruin.
An Insolent Fellow threw a stone at Æsop. “Well done,” said he, and then gave him a penny, thus continuing: “Upon my faith I have got no more, but I will show you where you can get some; see, yonder comes a rich and influential man; throw a stone at him in the same way, and you will receive a due reward.” The other, being persuaded, did as he was advised. His daring impudence, however, was disappointed of its hope, for, being seized, he paid the penalty on the cross. [more info]

Aesop and the Insolent Fellow

3.04. ESOP AND THE INSOLENT FELLOW.
Fools from success perdition meet.
An idle wretch about the street
At Esop threw a stone in rage.
“So much the better,” quoth the sage,
And gives three farthings for the job;
“I’ve no more money in my fob;
But if you’ll follow my advice,
More shall be levied in a trice.”
It happen’d that the selfsame hour
Came by a man of wealth and pow’r.
“There, throw your pellet at my lord,
And you shall have a sure reward!”
The fellow did as he was told;
But mark the downfall of the bold;
His hopes are baulk’d, and, lo! he gains
A rope and gibbet for his pains. [more info]

The Fool and the Sage

12.22: THE FOOL AND THE SAGE.
A fool pursued, with club and stone,
A sage, who said, 'My friend, well done!
Receive this guinea for your pains;
They well deserve far higher gains.
The workman's worthy of his hire,
'Tis said. There comes a wealthy squire,
Who hath wherewith thy works to pay;
To him direct thy gifts, and they
Shall gain their proper recompense.'
Urged by the hope of gain,
Upon the wealthy citizen
The fool repeated the offence.
His pay this time was not in gold.
Upon the witless man
A score of ready footmen ran,
And on his back, in full, his wages told.
In courts, such fools afflict the wise;
They raise the laugh at your expense.
To check their babble, were it sense
Their folly meetly to chastise?
Perhaps 'twill take a stronger man.
Then make them worry one who can.
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