288 FABLES. 



were jogging along, he observed the hair worn 

 off around the Dog's neck, and enquired the cause. 

 O nothing, answered he, or a mere trifle; perhaps 

 the collar, to which my chain is fastened, has left 

 a mark. Chain! replied the Wolf, with some sur- 

 prize; so then you are not permitted to go where 

 and when you please? Not always, said Tray; but 

 what does that signify? It signifies so much, 

 rejoined the Wolf, that I am resolved to partake of 

 no sumptuous fare with a chain about my neck; 

 for half a meal, with liberty, is preferable to a full 

 one without it. 



APPLICATION. 



TRUE greatness of soul will never give up liberty 

 for any consideration Avhatever; for what are 

 riches, grandeur, titles, or any other worldly good, 

 if they are holden by so precarious a tenure as the 

 arbitrary will of a tyrant! A mere competency, 

 with liberty, is preferable to servitude amidst the 

 greatest affluence; and even the lowest condition 

 in life, with freedom, is better than the most 

 exalted station without it. But liberty in a state 

 of society does not consist in doing whatsoever \ve 

 please: but only permits those actions by which 

 we do no injustice to our neighbour, or to the 

 community. The well-being of society requires 

 the efforts of all, from the highest to the lowest, 

 to preserve and support it; and since it appears to 

 be the will of Omnipotence, that mankind should 

 live in this state of social union (which does not 

 admit of the unbridled freedom of the savage state) 

 a certain portion of individual liberty must be 

 given up for the good of the whole ; but the sacri- 

 fice should be bounded by the common good: all 

 beyond approaches towards slavery, and degrades 

 the people who submit to it. 



