Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/342

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OUR Porcupine, and your Hedge-Hog, are omewhat Alike, only the Former has longer and harper Prickles then the Other; And thee Prickles he can Shoot, and Dart at an Enemy. There was a Wolfe had a Mind to be Dealing with him, if he could but get him Diarm’d firt; and o he told the Porcupine in a friendly Way, that it did not look Well for People in a Time of Peace, to go Arm’d, as if they were in a State of War; and o Advis'd him to lay his Britles aide; for (ays he) You may Take them up again at pleaure. Do you talk of a State of War? ays the Porcupine, Why That's my Preent Cae, and the very Reaon of my Standing to my Arms, o long as a Wolfes in the Company.

ALL Bus'nes that is Neceary to be done hould be done Betimes: And there's as little Trouble of doing it In Seaon too, as Out of Seaon : Neither is it Effectually done at all, but in the Proper time of Doing it: So that 'tis Good Dicretion, and Good Advice, to provide againt Danger before-hand; for he that's always Ready can never be taken with a Why-not.

'Tis a piece of Good Councel, in All the Affairs of Humane Life, to take care of Securing our Selves that we be not either Betray’d, or Surprizd: Butas it is Widom to keep our Selves upon a Guard; o it is Matter of Good Manners alo, and Repect; neither to do, nor to ay any thing, that may Import a Jealouy, or a Ditrut. All the Duties of Government, and Society ; Nay, All Offices, Civil and Religious, where Prudence, Concience, or Common Faith are concern'd, have their Proper Seaons. 'Tis too Late to Hinder Michief when the Opportunity is once pat, and therefore the Timing of Things is a Main Point in the Dipatch of All Affairs. There can be no Safe, or Sure Peace, where People are not always in readines for War; for the Common Well-being of Mankind, does not o much Depend upon the Faith of Men, and of Governments, as upon the Temporary and Contingent Occaions of breaking the Peace with Advantage. 'Tis not Publique Jutice Alone, that can Uphold a Government, without the Aid of Policy and Councel. Men do Naturally Indulge. Thoe Opinions and Practices, that favour their Pretentions; and