Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCLI
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Fab. CCXLI.
A River-fish and a Sea-fish.
THere was a Large Over-grown Pike that had the Fortune to be Carry’d out to Sea by a Strong Current, and he had there the Vanity to Value himself above All the Fish in the Ocean. We’l refer That (says a Sturgeon) to the Judgment of the Market, and see which of the Two Yields the Better Price.
The MORAL.
Every Man has his Province Assign'd him, and none but a Mad-man will pretend to Impose; and to give Laws where he has Nothing to do.
REFLEXION.
THERE's no Folly like That of Vain Glory, nor any thing more Ridiculous then for a Vain Man to be still Boasting of Himself: For ‘tis against All Law and Equity, for a Body to be admitted a Judge in ones Own Case. A second Doctrine may be This (and we find it True by Experience) that Money Governs the World; and that the Market Price is the Measure of the Worth of Men as well as of Fishes: As the Sturgeon left it to the Fish-monger to Determine the Controversy betwixt Him and the Pike.