We are here taught in some Cases to Yield to Times and Occasions; but
with a Saving still, to Honour, and to Conscience. A Wise and an Honest
Man will always mean the same Thing; but he’s a Fool that always says the
same thing. _Æsop_ however Condemns the Double Practices of _Trimmers_,
and All False, Shuffling, and Ambidextrous Dealings. He gives also
to understand, that Those that pretend at the same time to serve Two
Masters, are True to Neither.
The Three Fables next above have a Great Affinity One with Another, and
yet not without some Remarkable Diversities neither. From the Emblem of
the _Bat_ and _Weazle_, we are to Gather, that there are Certain Ways,
Cases, and Occasions, wherein, Disguises, and Artificial Evasions are
in some Measure Allowable, provided only that there be No Scandalous,
or Malicious Departure from the Truth. This Shifting of the _Bat_ in
the Paw of the _Weazle_, was but making the Best of what he had to say,
and to shew for Himself, toward the saving of his Life. There was No
Breach of Faith, or of Trust in’t; No Abandoning of a Duty, No Thought of
Treachery; Nor in Effect, any thing more in’t, then a Fair Christian Way
of putting out False Colours.
The _Bat_ that stood _Neuter_, may serve for the Character of a
_Time-serving Trimmer_: He Betrays his Party, first in withdrawing his
Assistance. Secondly, In going over to the Stronger Side, and Declaring
Himself an Open Enemy when his Fellows had the Worst on’t. His Judgment,
in fine, was Just, and if All Double Dealers and Deserters were serv’d as
This _Bat_ was, it would be an Example of Terrour to Renegades, and of
Encouragement to Honest men.
The _Estriches_ Case seems to be Different from the Other Two. He Fought,
(though ’tis not said on which side) and he was Taken in the Battel. He
had the Shape, but not the Heart of a _Trimmer_, and it was rather Nature
then Fraud, that brought him off. Now there are Many things in an Affair
of This Quality that may be Warrantable, even upon the Nicest Scruples of
Honour, in him that suffers the Violence, which perchance would not be so
in the Aggressor.