Story Illustrative of Misdirected Kindness
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Sadi and Edwards, A. Hart
A certain man, in the ceiling of whose house some bees had built their hives, asked his wife for a butchers’ knife so that he might destroy them. “Do not so,” the woman said, “for the poor creatures will be greatly distressed when turned out of their homes.”
Accordingly, the foolish man left the bees in peace.
One day the woman was stung by one of the insects and stood wailing on the doorstep. Hearing her cries, the husband left his shop and hurried towards the house. Angered, he said: “O wife! show not such a bitter face to the world; remember thou didst say to me, ‘Kill not the poor bees.’”
How can one do good to the evil? Forbearance with the wicked but increases their iniquity.
What is a dog that a dish of viands should be set before him? Command that they should give him bones. A kicking animal is best well-burdened.
If the night-watchman display humanity, no one sleeps at night for fear of thieves.
In the battle-field, the spear-shaft is worth more than a hundred thousand sugar-canes.
When thou rearest a cat, she destroys thy pigeons; when thou makest fat a wolf, he rends one who is dear to thee.
Raise not a building that has not a strong foundation; if thou dost, beware.