42 FABLES. 



ligence as calmly as before, and took no other 

 precautions the next day, than repeating the same 

 orders. In the evening, they told her that the 

 Farmer had been charging his son to get the sickles 

 ready, for it was vain to wait for other people, and 

 that they would cut the corn to-morrow themselves. 

 Nay, then said the old Lark, we must be off as soon 

 as we can; for when a man undertakes to do his 

 business himself, it is not so likely that he will be 

 disappointed. 



APPLICATION. 



HE who depends on the assistance of others to 

 perform what he is able to do himself, must not be 

 surprised to find that his business is neglected. 

 He may be sure that it will be best done when he 

 puts forth his own hands, and looks after it with 

 his own eyes. How, indeed, can any man imagine 

 that other people will be active in his interest, 

 while he himself remains indolent and unconcerned 

 about his own affairs. Men of such tempers and 

 dispositions, live in a state of suspense, and subject 

 themselves to perpetual disappointments and losses, 

 which their own industry would have prevented, 

 and have kept their minds at ease. They do not 

 use their reasoning powers, but sink down into a 

 kind of stupid abject dependence upon others, 

 which degrades even the finest talents with which 

 human nature is dignified. 



