Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
Townsend version
Two men were journeying together. One of them picked up an axe that lay upon the path, and said, "I have found an axe." "Nay, my friend," replied the other, "do not say 'I,' but 'We' have found an axe." They had not gone far before they saw the owner of the axe pursuing them, and he who had picked up the axe said, "We are undone." "Nay," replied the other, "keep to your first mode of speech, my friend; what you thought right then, think right now. Say 'I,' not 'We' are undone."
Moral
He who shares the danger ought to share the prize.
L'Estrange version (Two Travellers and A Bag of Money)
As two travellers were upon the way together, one of 'em stoops, and takes up something. Look ye here (says he) I have found a bag of money. No, says t'other, when two friends are together, you must not say [I] have found it, but [we] have found it. The word was no sooner out, but immediately comes a hue and cry after a gang of thieves that had taken a purse upon the road. Lord! brother (says he that had the bag) we shall be utterly undone. Oh phy, says t'other, you must not say [we] shall be undone, but [I] shall be undone; for if I'm to have no part in the finding, you must not think I'll go halves in the hanging.
Moral
They that will enter into leagues and partnerships, must take the good and the bad one with another.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved