A Snake and A Crab

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A Snake and A Crab

Be frank and open in your dealings.

L'Estrange version

There was a familiarity contracted betwixt a snake and a crab. The crab was a plain dealing creature that advis'd his companion to give over shuffling and doubling, and to practice good faith. The snake went on in his old way: so that the crab finding that he would not mend his manners, set upon him in his sleep, and strangled him; and then looking upon him as he lay dead at his length: This had never befall'n ye, says he, if you had but liv'd as straight as you dy'd.

Moral

There's nothing more agreeable in conversation, then a franke open way of dealing, and a simplicity of manners.

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