This is to bid us secure our selves Before hand of what we Undertake for,
and not depend upon Uncertainties. Though with the Moralist’s Leave, the
Uncertainty was on the Other Hand, and he that _Bought_ the Skin, ran
a Greater Risque then T’other that _Sold_ it; and had the Worse End of
the Staff. ’Tis Good Councel however, not to make our selves Answerable
for Things out of our Power: Especially where there are Dangerous
Contingencies in the Way, as we find in This Fable: For the _Bear_
was within a Hairs Breadth of Spoiling the Jest: It is much at this
Rate that we make All our Bargains; We give our Time, Study, Interest,
Liberty, and, in short, part with all that’s Precious, not only upon
Uncertainties, but for Things we can never Obtain. There’s no depending
upon _To-morrow_.