234 FABLES. 



the image, and pray friend, what is the price of this 

 elegant figure? Oh, replied the Statuary, if you 

 will buy Jupiter and Juno, I Avill throw you that 

 into the bargain. 



APPLICATION. 



IF we knew ourselves, of what could any of us be 

 vain? Vanity is the fruit of ignorance, and the 

 froth of perverted pride. Humility is the constant 

 attendant on men of great talents and good quali- 

 ties: these enable them to see how far they are 

 short of perfection ; but the vain and arrogant con- 

 ceive they have attained its height. All vain men* 

 who affect popularity, fancy other people have the 

 same opinion of them that they have of themselves : 

 but nothing makes them look so cheap and little in 

 the eyes of discerning people as their enquiring 

 flike Mercury in the Fable) after their own worth, 

 and wanting to know r what value others set upon 

 them : and those who are so full of themselves, as 

 to hunt for praise, and lay traps for commendation, 

 will generally be disappointed, and be marked out 

 as the emptiest of fellow T s ; for it argues a littleness 

 of mind to be too anxious and solicitous concerning 

 our fame. He that behaves himself as he should 

 do, need not fear procuring a good share of respect, 

 and a fair reputation ; but then these should not be 

 the end or the motive of our pursuits : our principal 

 aim should be the welfare of our country, our 

 friends, and ourselves, and it should be directed by 

 the rules of honour and virtue. 



