Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
L'Estrange version
There was a certain bantering droll that took a journey to Delphos, a purpose to try if he could put a trick upon Apollo. He carry'd a sparrow in his hand under his coat, and told the god, I have somewhat in my hand, says he, is it dead or living? If the oracle should say 'twas dead, he could shew it alive; if living, 'twas but squeezing it, and then 'twas dead. Now he that saw the malice of his heart gave him this answer: It shall e'en be which of the two you please; for 'tis in your choice to have it either the one or the other.
Moral
Presumption leades people to infidelity in a trace, and so by insensible degrees to atheism: for when men have once cast off a reverence for religion, they are come within one step of laughing at it.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved