Jupiter and Pallas

086. JUPITER AND PALLAS. Once upon a time the heathen gods had a mind to adopt each a particular tree into their patronage and tuition. Jupiter chose the oak; Venus was pleased to name the myrtle; Appollo pitched upon the laurel; Cybele took the pine, and Hercules the poplar; Pallas, being present, expressed her admiration at their fancy, in making choice of trees that bore nothing.
“On,” says Jupiter, “the reason of that is plain enough, for we would not be thought to dispense our favours with any mercenary view.”
“You may do as you please,” says she, “but let the olive be my tree; and I declare my reason for choosing it is because it bears plenty of useful fruit.”
Upon which the Thunderer, putting on a serious, composed gravity, spoke thus to the goddess, “Indeed, daughter, it is not without justice that you are so celebrated for your wisdom; for unless some benefit attends your actions, to perform them only for the sake of glory is but a silly business.” [more info]

The Trees and the Gods

3.17. THE TREES UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE GODS. The Gods in days of yore made choice of such Trees as they wished to be under their protection. The Oak pleased Jupiter, the Myrtle Venus, the Laurel Phœbus, the Pine Cybele, the lofty Poplar Hercules. Minerva, wondering why they had chosen the barren ones, enquired the reason. Jupiter answered: “That we may not seem to sell the honor for the fruit.”
“Now, so heaven help me,” said she, “let anyone say what he likes, but the Olive is more pleasing to me on account of its fruit.”
Then said the Father of the Gods and the Creator of men: “O daughter, it is with justice that you are called wise by all; unless what we do is useful, vain is our glory.”
This little Fable admonishes us to do nothing that is not profitable. [more info]

The Trees Protected

3.15. THE TREES PROTECTED.
The gods took certain trees (th’ affair
Was some time since) into their care.
The oak was best approved by Jove,
The myrtle by the queen of love;
The god of music and the day
Vouchsafed to patronise the bay;
The pine Cybele chanced to please,
And the tall poplar Hercules.
Minerva upon this inquired
Why they all barren trees admired?
“The cause,” says Jupiter, “is plain,
Lest we give honour up for gain.”
“Let every one their fancy suit,
I choose the olive for its fruit.”
The sire of gods and men replies,
“Daughter, thou shalt be reckon’d wise
By all the world, and justly too;
For whatsover things we do,
If not a life of useful days,
How vain is all pretence to praise!”
Whate’er experiments you try,
Have some advantage in your eye. [more info]