Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXLIII
Fab. CCXLIII.
A Man and a Satyr.
THere was a Man and a Satyr that kept much together. The Man Clapt his Fingers one day to his Mouth, and Blew upon ‘em. What's That for? (says the Satyr) why says he, My Hands are Extream Cold,and I do't to VVarm 'em. The Satyr, at Another time, found This Man Blowing his Porridge: And pray, says he, What's the Meaning of That now? Oh! says the Man, My Porridge are Hot, and I do't to Cool em. Nay, says the Satyr, if you have gotten a Trick of Blowing Hot and Cold out of the same Mouth, I have e’en Done with ye.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
THE Moral of this Fable must be Abstracted from the Philosophy of it, and taken in the Sense of carrying Two Faces under One hood. It sets forth, however, the Simplicity of the Satyr in Not Understanding how Two such Contrary Effects should come from the same Lips: But it was Honestly done in him yet, to Renounce the Conyersation of One that he took for a Double-Dealer; and that could Accommodate himself to make Fair with All Companies, and Occasions, without any regard to Truth, or Justice. It was This Fable that gave Rise tothe Old Adage of Blowing Hot and Cold; which is taken for the Mark and Character of a Dissembler.