A BEE made Jupiter a present of a pot of honey, which was so kindly
taken that he bade her ask what she would in exchange.
The Bee, who was nursing a private spite for the loss of some of her
winter’s store, desired of Jupiter that wherever she should set her
sting it might be mortal.
Jupiter was loath to leave mankind at the mercy of a little spiteful
insect, and was annoyed at the ill nature shown in her wish. He said,
therefore, that while, for his promise’s sake, he would give her the
power to harm, she must be careful how she used the power, for where
she planted her sting, she would leave it, and would thereby risk her
own life.
Ill will often does greater harm to the one who acts from it than to
the one on whom it falls.