This fable is a good reprimand to a parcel of vain coxcombs in the
world, who, because they would never be thought to be disappointed in
any of their pursuits, pretend a dislike to every thing which they
cannot obtain. There is a strange propensity in mankind to this temper,
and there are numbers of grumbling malcontents in every different
faculty and sect in life. The discarded statesman, considering the
corruption of the times, would not have any hand in the administration
of affairs for all the world. The country squire damns a court life, and
would not go cringing and creeping to a drawing-room for the best place
the king has at his disposal. A young fellow, being asked how he liked a
celebrated beauty, by whom all the world knew he was despised, answered,
she had a stinking breath. How insufferable is the pride of this poor
creature man! who would stoop to the basest vilest actions, rather than
be thought not able to do any thing. For what is more base and vile than
lying? And when do we lie more notoriously than when we disparage and
find fault with a thing, for no other reason but because it is out of
our power?