He that takes an Ungrateful Man into his Bosom, is well nigh sure to be
Betray’d; and it is no longer Charity, but Folly, to think of Obliging
the Common Enemies of Mankind. But ’tis no New thing for good Natur’d Men
to meet with Ungrateful Returns. Wherefore Friendships, Charities, and
Kindnesses, should be well Weigh’d and Examin’d, as to the Circumstances
of Time, Place, Manner, Person, and Proportion, before we Sign and Seal.
A Man had much better take a _Tyger_ into his Grounds, then a _Snake_
into his Bosom. How many Examples have we seen with our own Eyes, of
Men that have been pick’d up, and Reliev’d out of Starving Necessities,
without either Spirit, or Strength to do Mischief, who in requital have
afterwards conspir’d against the Life, Honour, and Fortune of their
Patrons and Redeemers. Did ever any of these Human _Snakes_ lose their
Venom for lying under some Temporary Incapacity of Using it? Will they be
ever the less Dangerous and Malicious, when Warmth shall bring them to
themselves again; because they were once Frozen and Benumm’d with Cold?
The very Credulity Encourages an Abuse, where the Will to do Mischief
only waits for the Power, and Opportunity of putting it in Execution.
Facility makes the Innocent a Prey to the Crafty: The _Snake_, after his
Recovery, is the very same _Snake_ still, that he was at first. How many
People have we read of in Story, that after a Pardon for One Rebellion,
have been taken in Another with that very Pardon in their Pockets, and
the Ink scarce Dry upon the Parchment? Now all this is no more then the
_Proverb_ in a _Fable_: _Save a Thief from the Gallows, and he’ll Cut
your Throat_.