A _Fig-Tree_ and a _Thorn_.
A _Fig-Tree_ and a _Thorn_ were valuing themselves once upon the
Advantage that the One had over the Other. Well, says the _Thorn_,
What would you give for such _Flowers_ as these? Very Good, says the
_Fig-Tree_, and what would you give for such _Fruit_ as This? Why, says
the other, ’twould be against _Nature_ for a _Thorn_ to bring forth
_Figs_. Well (says t’other again,) and ’twould be against _Nature_ too,
for a _Fig-Tree_ to bring forth _Flowers_: Beside that, I have _Fruit_
you see, that is much Better.
The MORAL.
_Every Creature has a Share in the Common Blessings of Providence; and it
is a Virtue as well as a Duty for every Creature to rest well satisfied
with its Proportion in those Comforts; but when we come once to Boast of
our selves, and to Derogate from others, ’tis no longer a Virtue but a
Vanity; and especially when we Mistake the Value of things, and prefer
the Advantages of Beauty, before those of Use and Service._