Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
Townsend version
A thief came in the night to break into a house. He brought with him several slices of meat in order to pacify the Housedog, so that he would not alarm his master by barking. As the Thief threw him the pieces of meat, the Dog said, "If you think to stop my mouth, you will be greatly mistaken. This sudden kindness at your hands will only make me more watchful, lest under these unexpected favors to myself, you have some private ends to accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master's injury."
L'Estrange version
As a gang of thieves were at work to rob a house, a mastiff took the alarum, and fell a baying: one of the company spoke him fair, and would have stopt his mouth with a crust: No, says the dog, this will not do, for several reasons. First, I'll take no bribes to betray my master. Secondly, I am not such a fool, neither, as to sell the ease and liberty of my whole life to come, for a piece of bread in hand: for when you have rifled my master; pray who shall maintain me?
Moral
Fair words, presents, and flatteries are the methods of treachery in courts as well as in cottages; only the dogs are truer to their masters than the men.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved