[6]
Aesop, when defending at Samos a
demagogue who was being tried for his life, related the following anecdote.
“A fox, while crossing a river, was driven into a ravine. Being unable
to get out, she was for a long time in sore distress, and a number of dog-fleas
clung to her skin. A hedgehog, wandering about, saw her and, moved with
compassion, asked her if he should remove the fleas. The fox refused and when
the hedgehog asked the reason, she answered: ‘They are already full of
me and draw little blood; but if you take them away, others will come that are
hungry and will drain what remains to me.’ You in like manner, O
Samians, will suffer no more harm from this man, for he is wealthy; but if you
put him to death,
others will
come who are poor, who will steal and squander your public funds.”
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Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vol. 22, translated by J. H. Freese. Aristotle. Cambridge and London. Harvard University Press; William Heinemann Ltd. 1926.
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