Let Ill Consequences be never so Remote, ’tis good however, with the
_Frogs_ here in the Fable, to have the Reason of Things at Hand. The
Design of many Actions looks one way, and the Event works another; as a
Young Gamester’s Couzen’d with a _Bricole_ at _Tennis_. But Mischiefs,
whether meant or not, are to be Provided against and Prevented, with as
much Care and Industry as if they had been designed from the Beginning;
and the Application of Foresight in the one Case, must supply the want
of Foresight in the other. ’Tis the Fool that lives _ex Tempore_, and
_from Hand to Mouth_, as we say, without carrying his Thoughts into the
Future. But a Wise Man looks forward, thorough the proper and natural
Course and Connexion of Causes and Effects; and in so doing, he fortifies
Himself against the worst that can Befall him. The _Frogs_ Case, in some
Respect, is that of a Civil War; where People must expect to be crush’d
and squeez’d in the Consequence, toward the Charge and Burden on’t. _The
Lords make Merry, but ’tis the Commons must pay the Piper._