34 2 FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



WHEN persons have carried their differences to 

 an extreme length, it is in vain for them to think 

 of renewing a cordial friendship; for in the heat 

 of their quarrel, many injuries must have been 

 reciprocally offered and received, which must tear 

 asunder the strongest bands of amity. The fury of 

 their dissensions may indeed subside, yet neither 

 party can forgive the wrongs which neither can 

 forget. The consciousness of having provoked the 

 resentment of another, will dwell so continually 

 upon the mind of the aggressor, that he cannot 

 rest till he has finished his work, and put it as 

 much as possible out of his enemy's power to make 

 any return upon him ; and the old proverb will be 

 verified which says, "The man who has injured 

 you, will never forgive you/' Morality bids us 

 forgive our enemies, and the voice of reason con- 

 firms the same; but neither reason nor morality 

 bids us enter into a friendship w r ith, or repose a 

 confidence in, those who have injured us, and of 

 whom \ve have a bad opinion. We may resolve 

 not to return ill-usage; but ought never to put 

 ourselves into the power of an enemy. 



