class, the starchina (the magistrate of a canton), will meet to make an inquiry in view of a proposed lawsuit. The canton gives the functionary some cases of wine, and he consents to arrange matters. He changes the statement of facts, and he presents a false report to his chief, who does not observe anything irregular in it, and signs it. Thus the innocent become guilty, and the guilty innocent; and this is through the complicity of the superior with the inferior.
118. But why have they deceived him? Not only because he does not labor himself, but because he knows nothing of how labor for bread is accomplished. If he had joined to his science this labor for bread, his intelligence would be so enlightened that he could not be deceived. See how many faults and errors are engendered by idleness!
119. Behold how the good writers act: if they must criticise a superior, they soften their terms, and soothe him, as in Kriloff's fable of the geese. "It would be easy," he says, " to make this fable still more intelligible; but I am afraid of irritating the Geese."[1]
- ↑ THE GEESE.
A long rod in his hand,
Peter drove on a band
Of geese to market bound;
And being pressed for time, he was not overkind,
But hunted them and hurried them lest he should be behind:
And would not let them stray, or straggle o'er the ground.
With rage the birds now gobbled, and in furious manner hissed,
