What we may learn from this fable is, in the main, to live contentedly
in our own condition, whatever it be, without affecting to look bigger
than we are, by a false or borrowed light. To be barely pleased with
appearing above what a man really is, is bad enough; and what may justly
render him contemptible in the eyes of his equals: but if, to enable him
to do this with something of a better grace, he has clandestinely
feathered his nest with his neighbour's goods, when found out, he has
nothing to expect but to be stripped of his plunder, and used like a
felonious rogue into the bargain.