“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci (Adopted by Steve Jobs)
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A Lion was dying and helpless in his cave, gasping for breath.
When the other animals saw this they thought to themselves: “Now is the time to pay off old grudges.” So, the Boar came up and stuck at him with his tusks. A Bull gored him with his horns.
And, even the Ass, feeling quite safe from danger, came up, and kicked his heels into Lion’s face.
“To receive such as this, I die twice,” growled the Lion.
Moral of the Story: Just rewards to those who use force to rule. Even cowards insult the helpless. Everyone, even the weak, will push over a falling fence.
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Introduction – The Essential Aesop – Epilogue
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Related Articles: The Distinguished Napoleon – The Business of Aesop™ No. 2 – The Frog and the Ox
Why We Loved It: This is one of Aesop’s more complex fables, proving an excellent lesson, albeit somewhat less approachable than many other of Aesop’s fables.
As a general rule, the Lion is Aesop’s go-to symbol for majestic power (as distinguished from the usual Wolf’s unrighteous power). But, here, Aesop shows that even righteous power is not the friend of everyone, all the time. During the life of the Lion, the implementation of his power, just or not, was to rule the Jackal, Wolf, Hyena, Bull, Boar and the lowly Ass, among others. Justice is balanced by two sides. And, so it is, that comeuppance awaits an opportunity of vulnerability. Tides turn.
So, now, the Lion must endure what power alone provides—justly rendered or not. Subtle, but Aesop reminds us that when the Lion constrained the Boar, or challenged the Bull, or chided the Ass, it may have been for the greater good, but not so much for the self-interest of the Lion’s target.
For this fable, perhaps there is not much for the Lion to do differently. But, the wisdom of the fable is to acknowledge the human (or animal) nature that pends.
Aesop’s lesson that reminds us of the wisdom of conquering generals, in directing soldiers not to rape the women of provinces that would be governed. Conquering and governing are different goals, and it is rather impossible to govern a man whose wife has just been raped. That man tends to await his turn and to inflict a revenge.
“Friends, [my soldiers,] I promise this conquest to you; but there is one condition which you must swear to fulfill. It is to respect the people whom you deliver; to repress the horrible pillage which some wretches, instigated by our enemies, had practiced. Unless you do this, you will no longer be the friends, but the scourges of the human race; you will no longer form the honor of the French people. They will disavow you. Your victories, your successes, the blood of your brethren who died in battle; all, even honor and glory, will be lost. With respect to myself; to the generals who possess your confidence, we shall blush to command an army without discipline, and who admit no other law than that of force. People of Italy, the French army comes to break your chains; the French people are the friends of all people; come with confidence to them; your property, religion, and customs, shall be respected. We make war as generous enemies; and wish only to make war against the tyrants who oppress you.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte, Speech as Commander in Chief of the French Army in Italy, before his attack on Milan, April 26, 1796 [#GRZ_213]
“He who has already drunk turns his back on the well, and the orange already squeezed turns from gold into mud. When there is no longer dependence, good manners disappear, and so does esteem.” ~ Baltasar Gracian. The Art of Worldly Wisdom
“Cum populum viceris, feminas non rape.” (“When you conquer a people, do not rape the women.”) ~ grz
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© 2013 Arnold Zegarelli and Gregg Zegarelli, Esq. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn. Arnold Zegarelli can be contacted through Facebook.
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