This is to Inform us, that Wicked and Ill Natur’d Men are not to be
Oblig’d by Kindnesses, Especially when they find they may be the better
for Insolence; for at that Rate, he that Rewards Past Affronts, Draws on
and Encourages New Ones. There are Churlish Curs in the Moral as well
as in the Fable, and we are here taught how to Behave our selves upon
the Biting of All Manner of Dogs. Under the Rule and Correction of This
Allegory, we may reckon Calumny, Slander, and Detraction in any Form or
Figure whatsoever, and all Manner of Affronts and Indignities upon our
Good Names, or our Persons. There may be Place in All These Cases for a
Generous Charity to Forgive Offences, even of the Highest Ingratitude and
Malice; But it is not Advisable to Reward where Men have the Tenderness
not to Punish. This way of Proceeding is Dangerous in All the Affairs
Publique, as well as Private, of Humane Life; for ’tis a Temptation to
Villany, when a Man fares the Better for Evil Doing. Ill Nature, in fine,
is not to be Cur’d with a Sop; but on the contrary, Quarrelsome _Men_ as
well as Quarrelsome _Curs_ are worse for fair Usage.