Two _Doctors_ and a _Sheep_.
As a _Sheep_ was Grazing One Evening in a Pleasant Meadow, it had the
Hap to Overhear _Two Doctors_ of the _Schools_, as they were taking a
Walk there, Philosophizing upon the Advantages of Mankind above all other
Creatures; and particularly, upon the Natural Disposition that Man has to
live in _Union_ and _Society_. The Sheep gave One of them a Gentle Touch
by the Cloak, and told him, that under favour, he could not be of their
Opinion. ’Tis true, says he, you have your Cities, Towns Incorporate, and
Large Communities; but then you have your Magistrates too; your Laws,
Oaths, and a Thousand Shackles upon ye; and all little enough to keep
the Peace among ye. You Dispute, Wrangle, Fight, make a perpetual Bussle
in the World, Break Friendships, Dissolve the very Tyes of Marriage,
and Tear one Another to Pieces with all manner of Extravagant Contests.
Now this would never be, sure, if there were in ye that same Implanted
Inclination to _Unity_ and _Agreement_ that you speak of. If you would
come to a clear Resolution of this Question, you must first set your
Selves at liberty from the Over-ruling Awe of Disgrace, Shame, and
Punishment; and by the Removal of that Force, leave your Selves to the
full Scope of your Avarice and Ambition. You will then find by the Event,
whether Man be Naturally a _Protector_ and _Preserver_ of _Society_, or
a _Destroyer_ of it. No, no, my Learned Sirs, ’tis _We_ that are the
Sociable Creatures. We Troop together, Feed together, Live together,
follow the same Leader too, without any Constraint upon us, either of
Vows or Penalties; and the very Flies and Pismires upon this Topick, will
Rise up in Judgment against Mankind.
The MORAL.
_The Philosophers will have_ Man _in a Degree of Excellency to be a
Sociable Creature; but these Philosophers are_ Men _themselves then,
and Judges in their Own Case: Now, if we may Credit Matter of Fact and
Experience, Men are the most Disunited Creatures under the Heavens: ’Tis
their Delight, Study, Practice and Profession to lye Cutting One Anothers
Throats, and Destroy their own Kind: Insomuch that Birds, Beasts and
Insects, to the very Flies and Pismires, will rise up in Judgment against
Mankind in this Point_.