The Old Woman and the Doctor

021. THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR. Upon a Dispute betwixt a Stag and a Horse about a Piece of Pasture, the Stag got the better on’t, and beat the other out of the Field. The Horse, upon this Affront, advis’d with a Man what Course to take; who told him, that if he would submit to be bridled and saddled, and take a Man upon his Back with a Lance in his Hand, he would undertake to give him the Satisfaction of a Revenge. The Horse came to his Terms and for the gratifying of a present Passion, made himself a Slave all the Days of his Life. THE MORAL. Let every Man make a true Measure of himself, what he is able to do, and what not, before he comes to any peremptory Resolution how to proceed. He is a Madman, that to avoid a present and less Evil, runs blindfold into a greater; and for the gratifying of a froward Humour, makes himself a Slave all the Days of his Life. (Sir Roger L'Estrange) [more info]

The Old Woman and the Doctor

20. THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR. An Old Woman having lost the use of her eyes, bargained with a Doctor that if he should cure her she would pay him a handsome reward; if not she would give him nothing. From time to time the Doctor visited his patient and applied his salve to her eyes, and each time on leaving her house he took away or rather stole some article of her property.
When he had cured her he had stolen all her effects, and the Old Woman being unable to see any of her goods, refused to pay him. Summoned before the court the Old Woman stood up and said, “He declares that I am healed; on the contrary, I say that I am still blind, for at the time I became blind, my house was well filled with chattels and goods. Yet now I am unable to see a single article in it.”
MORAL. Depraved men do not see that by their actions they bring an argument against themselves. [more info]