Fab. CCCXX.
A Wolfe and a Porcupine.
YOUR Porcupine, and your Hedge-Hog, are ſomewhat Alike, only the Former has longer and ſharper Prickles then the Other; And theſe Prickles he can Shoot, and Dart at an Enemy. There was a Wolfe had a Mind to be Dealing with him, if he could but get him Diſarm’d firſt; and ſo he told the Porcupine in a friendly Way, that it did not look Well for People in a Time of Peace, to go Arm’d, as if they were in a State of War; and ſo Advis'd him to lay his Briſtles aſide; for (ſays he) You may Take them up again at pleaſure. Do you talk of a State of War? ſays the Porcupine, Why That's my Preſent Caſe, and the very Reaſon of my Standing to my Arms, ſo long as a Wolfes in the Company.
The Moral of the Two Fables above.
REFLEXION.
'Tis a piece of Good Councel, in All the Affairs of Humane Life, to take care of Securing our Selves that we be not either Betray’d, or Surprizd: Butas it is Wiſdom to keep our Selves upon a Guard; ſo it is Matter of Good Manners alſo, and Reſpect; neither to do, nor to ſay any thing, that may Import a Jealouſy, or a Diſtruſt. All the Duties of Government, and Society ; Nay, All Offices, Civil and Religious, where Prudence, Conſcience, or Common Faith are concern'd, have their Proper Seaſons. 'Tis too Late to Hinder Miſchief when the Opportunity is once paſt, and therefore the Timing of Things is a Main Point in the Diſpatch of All Affairs. There can be no Safe, or Sure Peace, where People are not always in readineſs for War; for the Common Well-being of Mankind, does not ſo much Depend upon the Faith of Men, and of Governments, as upon the Temporary and Contingent Occaſions of breaking the Peace with Advantage. 'Tis not Publique Juſtice Alone, that can Uphold a Government, without the Aid of Policy and Councel. Men do Naturally Indulge. Thoſe Opinions and Practices, that favour their Pretentions; andit
