《伊索寓言(精)》原書名為《埃索波斯故事集成》，是古希臘民間流傳的諷喻故事，經(jīng)后人加工，成為現(xiàn)在流傳的《伊索寓言》。《伊索寓言》是一部世界上最早的寓言故事集。同時，《伊索寓言》是世界文學(xué)史上流傳最廣的寓言故事之一。 《伊索寓言(精)》篇幅短小，文字凝練，故事生動，想象豐富，形式不拘，淺顯的小故事中常常閃耀著智慧的光芒，蘊涵著深刻的道理。有對富人貪婪自私的揭露，對惡人殘忍本性的鞭撻，對勞動創(chuàng)造財富的肯定，對社會不平等的抨擊，對懦弱、懶惰的諷刺，對勇敢斗爭的贊美，還有許多故事教人如何處世，如何做人，怎樣辨別是非好壞，怎樣變得聰明、智慧。它是古希臘人生活和斗爭的概括、提煉和總結(jié)，是古希臘人留給后人的
第一章
驢子和戰(zhàn)馬
The Ass and the Charger
驢子看到馬的飼料精美，即使不勞動也能得到無微不至的照顧，因此非常羨慕他。同時不由得為自己的不幸命運而痛哭流涕。戰(zhàn)爭爆發(fā)了，全副武裝的士兵騎上了馬背，驅(qū)使他在戰(zhàn)場上拼殺。一次，戰(zhàn)馬受到襲擊，遍體鱗傷，倒地而亡。驢子得知這一切后，改變了原來的想法，開始對戰(zhàn)馬起了惻隱之心。
滿足于自己現(xiàn)在的位置。
An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and carefully provided for，while he himself had scarcely enough to eat and not even that without hard work. But when war broke out，a heavily armed soldier mounted the Horse，and riding him to the charge，rushed into the very midst of the enemy. The Horse was wounded and fell dead on the battlefield. Then the Ass，seeing all these things，changed his mind，and commiserated the Horse.
Be content with your station.
驢子、公雞和獅子
The Ass，the Cock，and the Lion
牲口棚里住著一頭驢子和一只公雞。一天，有一頭饑腸轆轆的獅子悄悄地靠近這里，想把驢子吃掉。在這危急時刻，公雞大聲啼叫起來，獅子（據(jù)說獅子非常害怕公雞的啼鳴聲）頓時嚇得趴在地上，隨后拔腿就跑。驢子以為獅子是怕了自己才逃跑的，就毫不猶豫地追趕獅子。當(dāng)他們跑了很遠(yuǎn)的時候，獅子轉(zhuǎn)過身把自以為是的驢子吃掉了。
盲目自信通常會自取滅亡。
An Ass and a Cock were in a straw-yard together. When a Lion，desperate from hunger，approached the spot. He was about to spring upon the Ass，when the Cock（to the sound of whose voice the Lion，it is said，has a singular aversion）crowed loudly，and the Lion fled away as fast as he could. The Ass，observing his trepidation at the mere crowing of a Cock summoned courage to attack him，and galloped after him for that purpose. He had run no long distance，when the Lion，turning about，seized him and tore him to pieces.
False confidence often leads into danger.
驢子與蚱蜢
The Ass and the Grasshopper
一只蟬在唱歌，他那悅耳悠揚的聲音令驢子非常著迷。于是，驢子就向蟬請教：“你們究竟吃了什么，能唱出如此動聽的歌聲？”蟬回答道：“露水�！睆拇酥�，驢子就每天只喝露水，最終悲慘地餓死了。
如果我們執(zhí)意追求非分之物，最終不僅兩手空空，而且會招攬災(zāi)禍。
An Ass having heard some Grasshoppers chirping，was highly enchanted；and，desiring to possess the same charms of melody，demanded what sort of food they lived on to give them such beautiful voices. They replied，“The dew.” The Ass resolved that he would live only upon dew，and in a short time died of hunger.
Even a fool is wise-when it is too late.
貪玩的驢子
The Playful Ass
一頭驢子爬到屋頂上，活蹦亂跳，踏壞了很多磚瓦。憤怒的主人出來把驢子趕下來，用木棍狠狠地把他教訓(xùn)了一頓。驢子委屈地說：“為什么昨天猴子在房頂上四處亂跑，你卻開懷大笑，而今天卻這樣責(zé)打我呢？”
謹(jǐn)慎選擇自己學(xué)習(xí)的榜樣。
An Ass climbed up to the roof of a building，and frisking about there，broke in the tiling. The owner went up after him and quickly drove him down，beating him severely with a thick wooden cudgel. The Ass said，“Why，I saw the Monkey do this very thing yesterday，and you all laughed heartily，as if it afforded you very great amusement.”
People that live by example need to look closely at the example they are following.
馱著雕像的驢子
The Ass carrying the Image
一頭驢子馱著一尊木質(zhì)的雕像走在大都市的街道上。這尊雕像將要被安放在寺廟中。路旁的行人看到雕像紛紛跪地膜拜。自以為是的驢子認(rèn)為人們是在向自己表達(dá)敬意，就揚揚得意起來，不再往前走。氣憤的趕驢人，一邊拿著鞭子狠狠地抽打驢子，一邊教訓(xùn)他：“你這個傻瓜，難道真的認(rèn)為人們會愚蠢到向一頭驢子膜拜的地步嗎？”
依靠別人的功勞炫耀自己是不明智的舉動。
An Ass once carried through the streets of a city a famous wooden Image，to be placed in one of its Temples. As he passed along，the crowd made lowly prostration before the Image. The Ass，thinking that they bowed their heads in token of respect for himself，bristled up with pride，gave himself airs，and refused to move another step. The driver，seeing him thus stop，laid his whip lustily about his shoulders and said，“Oh you perverse dull-head！ It is not yet come to this，that men pay worship to an Ass.”
They are not wise who give to themselves the credit due to others.
驢子、狐貍和獅子
The Ass，the Fox，and the Lion
為了各自的安全，驢子和狐貍決定和平相處。有一天，他們一起去森林里打獵，不料，還沒走多遠(yuǎn)，就遇到了一頭獅子。狐貍見情況危急，連忙跑到獅子面前表示只要獅子保證他的安全，他就設(shè)法誘騙驢子上當(dāng)。獅子答應(yīng)了。于是，狐貍把驢子騙入了陷阱。獅子見驢子已經(jīng)無法逃脫，就立刻把狐貍吃了，然后再悠閑地享用驢子。
千萬不要輕信你的敵人。
The Ass and the Fox，having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection，went out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far when they met a Lion. The Fox，seeing imminent danger，approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox. Then，upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured，the Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it. The Lion，seeing that the Ass was secured，immediately clutched the Fox，and attacked the Ass at his leisure.
Never trust your enemy.
野驢和獅子
The Wild Ass and the Lion
為了能夠更輕易地獲取食物，獅子和野驢結(jié)成同盟去打獵。獅子力氣大，驢子速度快，他們相輔相成。當(dāng)他們獵取到足夠多的獵物后，獅子按需要把食物分成了三份�！斑@第一份嘛，”獅子說，“理所當(dāng)然歸我所有，因為我是’百獸之王’；第二份也應(yīng)該是我的，因為全靠了我才能得到這么多食物；至于第三份，如果你不盡快離開這里的話，相信我，你會付出很大的代價�！�
弱肉強食，適者生存。
A Wild Ass and a Lion entered into an alliance so that they might capture the beasts of the forest with greater ease. The Lion agreed to assist the Wild Ass with his strength，while the Wild Ass gave the Lion the benefit of his greater speed. When they had taken as many beasts as their necessities required，the Lion undertook to distribute the prey，and for this purpose divided it into three shares. “I will take the first share，” he said，“because I am King: and the second share，as a partner with you in the chase: and the third share（believe me）will be a source of great evil to you，unless you willingly resign it to me，and set off as fast as you can.”
Might makes right.
披著獅子皮的驢子
The Ass in the Lion’s Skin
一頭驢子，偶然間找到一張獅子皮，就披上它在森林里四處閑逛，看到那些被他嚇得驚慌逃竄的無知的小動物們，驢子就哈哈大笑起來。最后，他遇到了一只狐貍，也想嚇唬他一下，但是狐貍一下子就聽出了驢子的聲音，就對他說：“請相信，如果我不是聽出了你的聲音，我真會被你嚇壞的！”
漂亮的外衣可以包裝傻瓜，但蠢話總會露出馬腳。
An Ass，having put on the Lion’s skin，roamed about in the forest and amused himself by frightening all the foolish animals he met in his wanderings. At last coming upon a Fox，he tried to frighten him also，but the Fox no sooner heard the sound of his than he exclaimed，“I might possibly have been frightened myself，if I had not heard your bray.”
Fine clothes may disguise，but silly words will disclose a fool.
驢子和老牧人
The Ass and the Old Shepherd
一位老牧人看著驢子在牧場里吃草。突然他聽到了敵軍喧嘩的聲音，就馬上招呼驢子和他一起逃跑，以免淪為俘虜。誰知驢子懶洋洋地說：“敵人占領(lǐng)這個地方以后，難道我就會負(fù)擔(dān)雙倍的東西嗎？”“不是這樣的�！崩夏寥苏f。接著驢子又說道：“既然我的負(fù)擔(dān)和原來一樣，那么給誰服務(wù)又有什么差別呢？”
在國家政權(quán)變更的時候，窮人改變的只是主人的名字。
A Shepherd，watching his Ass feeding in a meadow，was alarmed all of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to fly with him，lest they should both be captured，but the animal lazily replied，“Why should I，pray？ Do you think it likely the conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers？”“No，”rejoined the Shepherd. “Then，” said the Ass，“as long as I carry the panniers，what matters it to me whom I serve？”
In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.
驢子和他的影子
The Ass and His Shadow
行人雇了一頭驢子去一個很遠(yuǎn)的地方。天氣熱極了，太陽熱辣辣地照在人身上，行人決定停下來休息。他很快就發(fā)現(xiàn)驢子的影子是個涼快的地方�？墒�，驢子在地上的影子只能站一個人，因此行人和驢子的主人就因誰有權(quán)利占有驢子影子的問題而大肆爭吵起來。后來，爭吵演變?yōu)榇蚨�。就在雙方大打出手的時候，驢子乘機掙脫韁繩逃走了。
猴子撈月一場空。
A Traveler hired an Ass to convey him to a distant place. The day being intensely hot，and the sun shining in its strength，the Traveler stopped to rest，and sought shelter from the heat under the Shadow of the Ass. As this afforded only protection for one，and as the Traveler and the owner of the Ass both claimed it，a violent dispute arose between them as to which of them had the right to the Shadow. The owner maintained that he had let the Ass only，and not his Shadow. The Traveler asserted that he had，with the hire of the Ass，hired his Shadow also. The quarrel proceeded from words to blows，and while the men fought，the Ass galloped off.
In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the substance.
騾子
The Mule
一頭剛剛飽餐一頓又無所事事的騾子揚揚得意地奔跑起來，還自言自語：“我的父親一定是一匹高大、勇敢的馬，作為他的兒子我遺傳了他的速度和品行�！钡搅说诙�，干了一天活的騾子早已筋疲力盡。他悶悶不樂地說：“我想我搞錯了，我的父親很有可能是一頭驢子。”
A Mule，frolicsome from lack of work and from too much corn，galloped about in a very extravagant manner，and said to himself，“My father surely was a highmettled racer，and I am his own child in speed and spirit.” On the next day，being driven a long journey，and feeling very wearied，he exclaimed in a disconsolate tone，“I must have made a mistake；my father，after all，could have been only an ass.”
驢子和趕驢人
The Ass and His Driver
一個人趕著一頭驢子在崎嶇的山路上行進(jìn)�？墒菦]走多遠(yuǎn)，驢子就向懸崖的方向飛奔而去。眼看驢子就要掉下去，趕驢人急忙拉著驢子的尾巴。但是固執(zhí)的驢子并不理會他，堅持要往前沖。無可奈何的趕驢人只好放手，對他說：“隨你吧，你會為自己的選擇付出代價的�！�
那些頑固不化的總是堅持自己的道路。
An Ass，being driven along a high road，suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act of throwing himself over，his Dviver seized him by the tail，endeavoring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his effort，the man let him go and said，“Conquer，but conquer to your cost.”
A willful beast must go his own way.
鹽商和他的驢子
The Salt Merchant and His Ass
一個小販趕著他的驢子去海邊買鹽。要跨過小溪的時候，驢子不小心邁錯了步子，摔倒在河里。由于河水溶化了一部分鹽，因此驢子感到輕松多了。發(fā)現(xiàn)了這一點的驢子暗自高興。又一次，他假裝跌倒，背上的負(fù)擔(dān)果然減輕了不少。小販明白了他的小計謀后決心給他一個教訓(xùn)。他們再次出發(fā)去海邊，可是這次小販買的是遇水膨脹的海綿，而不是會溶化的鹽。到了小溪邊，自作聰明的驢子故技重施。結(jié)果，背上的海綿浸了水，重量是原來的兩倍，可憐的驢子只能自食苦果。
一個人不可能永遠(yuǎn)被蒙在鼓里。
A Peddler drove his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. His road home lay across a stream into which his Ass，making a false step，fell by accident and rose up again with his load considerably lighter，as the water melted the sack. The Peddler retraced his steps and refilled his panniers with a larger quantity of salt than before.
When he came again to the stream，the Ass fell down on purpose in the same spot，and，regaining his feet with the weight of his load much diminished，brayed triumphantly as if he had obtained what he desired.
The Peddler saw through his trick and drove him for the third time to the coast，where he bought a cargo of sponges instead of salt. The Ass，again playing the fool，fell down on purpose when he reached the stream，but the sponges became swollen with water，greatly increasing his load. And thus his trick recoiled on him，for he now carried on his back a double burden.
You can fool someone only so many times.
騾子和強盜
The Mules and the Robbers
兩頭騾子馱著滿滿的貨物長途跋涉，其中一個馱著滿包的金銀珠寶，另一匹馱著滿包的谷物。馱著珠寶的騾子高傲地昂著頭，不斷晃動自己的鈴鐺，不斷發(fā)出清脆的聲音。他趾高氣揚地走在前面，似乎自己也因為身上的財物而身價百倍。而另外一頭騾子則很安靜地走在后面。突然，一群強盜從路邊隱蔽的樹林里沖出來。他們兇狠地用短刀將騾子刺倒，把財寶搶劫一空。而那馱著谷物的騾子絲毫沒有引起強盜的注意。受傷的騾子向他的同伴哭訴他的不幸。馱著谷物的騾子說：“我很慶幸強盜沒有注意到我，我的貨物沒有一點兒損失，我自己也沒有受傷�！�
財富并不值得夸耀，反而倒是要小心那些覬覦財富的人。
Two Mules well-laden with packs were trudging along. One carried panniers filled with money，the other sacks weighted with grain. The Mule carrying the treasure walked with head erect，as if conscious of the value of his burden，and tossed up and down the clear-toned bells fastened to his neck. His companion followed with quiet and easy step. All of a sudden Robbers rushed upon them from their hiding-places，and in the scuffle with their owners，wounded with a sword the Mule carrying the treasure，which they greedily seized while taking no notice of the grain. The Mule which had been robbed and wounded bewailed his misfortunes. The other replied，“I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of，for I have lost nothing，nor am I hurt with any wound.”
Flaunt wealth and thieves will know you have wealth.
驢子和騾子
The Ass and the Mule
趕牲口的人讓驢子和騾子馱上貨物出發(fā)了。在路面平坦的時候，驢子感覺很輕松。當(dāng)他們走到崎嶇的山路時，驢子已經(jīng)累得筋疲力盡，于是懇求騾子能夠幫他分擔(dān)一部分貨物，這樣他可以把剩余部分馱到目的地。可是，倔犟的騾子根本不理會同伴的請求。結(jié)果，不堪重負(fù)的驢子從山上滾落摔死了。趕牲口的人沒有辦法，只好把驢子那部分貨物也放到了騾子身上，另外，把驢皮也放了上去。承受著過重負(fù)擔(dān)的騾子，嘴里嘀咕道：“我真是自作自受�。∪绻掖饝�(yīng)了驢子的請求，幫他馱一小部分的話，我現(xiàn)在就用不著背負(fù)雙倍的貨物了�！�
一盎司的拒絕相當(dāng)于一磅的殘忍。
A Muleteer set forth on a journey，driving before him an Ass and a Mule，both well laden. The Ass，as long as he traveled along the plain，carried his load with ease，but when he began to ascend the steep path of the mountain，felt his load to be more than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small portion，that he might carry home the rest；but the Mule paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in so wild a region，the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own，and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass，after he had skinned him. The Mule，groaning beneath his heavy burden，said to himself，“I am treated according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need，I should not now be bearing，together with his burden，himself as well.”
A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cruel.
驢子和買主
The Ass and His Purchaser
一個人想買一頭驢子，但又不知道驢子是否勤勞能干，于是就和賣主達(dá)成協(xié)議，等他試驗之后再決定是否購買。他把驢子帶回家后就把他和其他驢子一起喂養(yǎng)。這頭驢看見別的驢子都躲得遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)的，唯獨和一頭最是好吃懶做的驢子待在一起。
看到這些，這人就給驢子帶上籠頭還把他送回到原先的主人身邊。主人問他：“在這么短的時間內(nèi)，真的可以試驗出結(jié)果嗎？”這人回答說：“我已經(jīng)不需要試驗了，只要看他挑選什么樣的伙伴，就知道他是什么品行了。”
看其友知其人。
A Man wished to purchase an Ass，and agreed with its owner that he should try out the animal before he bought him. He took the Ass home and put him in the strawyard with his other Asses，upon which the new animal left all the others and at once joined the one that was most idle and the greatest eater of them all.
Seeing this，the man put a halter on him and led him back to his owner. On being asked how，in so short a time，he could have made a trial of him，he answered，“I do not need a trial；I know that he will be just the same as the one he chose for his companion.”
A man is known by the company he keeps.
驢子和主人
The Ass and His Masters
驢子的主人以賣草藥為生，每天都讓驢子做很多工作，可是只給他很少的食物。滿腹委屈的驢子就向朱庇特請求能夠給他換一個主人。朱庇特對他說：“我可以答應(yīng)你的請求，但是到時候你可千萬不要后悔！”這樣，驢子的主人換成了一個磚瓦匠。不久之后，驢子就發(fā)現(xiàn)自己要承擔(dān)的工作比原來還要繁重。于是，他再次向朱庇特請求換一個主人。朱庇特應(yīng)答他請求的同時警告他這是最后一次機會。這一次，驢子被賣給了皮革匠，淪落到了更糟糕的境地�？蓱z的驢子抱怨道：“我寧愿在第一個主人那里挨餓，或者繼續(xù)在磚瓦匠那里忍受沒完沒了的工作，也不想面對我現(xiàn)在的主人，即使我死之后還要成為他手中的制作材料�！�
對一個地方不滿意，并不意味著在另一個地方一定可以找到幸福。
An Ass，belonging to an herb-seller who gave him too little food and too much work made a petition to Jupiter to be released from his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter，after warning him that he would repent his request，caused him to be sold to a tile-maker. Shortly afterwards，finding that he had heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field，he petitioned for another change of master. Jupiter，telling him that it would be the last time that he could grant his request，ordained that he be sold to a tanner. The Ass found that he had fallen into worse hands，and noting his master’s occupation，said，groaning，“It would have been better for me to have been either starved by the one，or to have been overworked by the other of my former masters，than to have been bought by my present owner，who will even after I am dead tan my hide，and make me useful to him.”
He that finds discontentment in one place is not likely to find happiness in another.
驢子和狼
The Ass and the Wolf
驢子在牧場里吃草，看到狼正在悄悄朝他逼近。急中生智的驢子就假裝跛腳，走路一瘸一瘸的。狼來到他面前，就假惺惺地詢問他為什么瘸著走路。驢子回答說：“我在跨過籬笆的時候，不小心腳上扎了刺！”接著，驢子就懇求狼在吃他之前先把他腳上的刺拔掉，以免也被扎傷。狼相信了驢子的說法，于是就抬起驢子的腳，認(rèn)真地查看驢的蹄子。這時，驢子突然用蹄子對準(zhǔn)狼的臉狠狠地踢去，把狼所有的牙齒都踹掉了。得不償失的狼，痛苦地呻吟：“我真是自作自受��！我生來就是以食肉為生，為什么偏要去做醫(yī)生呢！”
做好自己力所能及的事情。
An Ass feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him，and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf，coming up，inquired the cause of his lameness. The Ass replied that passing through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn. He requested that the Wolf pull it out，lest when he ate him it should injure his throat. The Wolf consented and lifted up the foot，and was giving his whole mind to the discovery of the thorn，when the Ass，with his heels，kicked his teeth into his mouth and galloped away. The Wolf，being thus fearfully mauled，said，“I am rightly served，for why did I attempt the art of healing，when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher？”
Keep to your trade.
驢和哈巴狗
The Ass and the Lapdog
一個人喂養(yǎng)了一只馬耳他哈巴狗和一頭驢子。哈巴狗非常漂亮，很會討主人喜歡。主人也經(jīng)常從外面帶回好吃的食物給狗食用。而驢子只能吃一些尋常的大麥。
驢子經(jīng)常抱怨自己悲慘的命運，因為他總有做不完的工作，不是整天圍著磨盤轉(zhuǎn)，就是去森林里拉木材或者去農(nóng)田拉糧食。他非常羨慕整天無所事事的哈巴狗。直到有一天，他弄斷了拴著他的繩索和籠頭，飛快地跑到主人的房間，盡情地跳躍，并模仿哈巴狗努力討主人的歡心，可是他笨重的身體壓壞了桌子，還把盤子打得粉碎。他還跳到主人面前表示親昵，結(jié)果踢到了主人。聞聲趕來的仆人慌忙把主人救下。勃然大怒的主人立刻把驢子狠狠地打了一頓。受傷的驢子就這樣悲慘地死去了，在奄奄一息時，他悲嘆道：“我這真是咎由自取，我為什么不能像伙伴們一樣任勞任怨地工作，而要去羨慕一事無成的哈巴狗呢？”
要看到自己的價值，而不要去羨慕對他人毫無貢獻(xiàn)的人。
A Man had an Ass，and a Maltese Lapdog，a very great beauty. The Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat，just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master，who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat.
The Ass，on the contrary，had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog，till at last one day he broke his cords and halter，and galloped into his master’s house，kicking up his heels without measure，and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do，but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master，and jumped upon his back.
The servants，hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master，quickly relieved him，and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass，as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death，thus lamented，“I have brought it all on myself！ Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions，and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog！”
To be satisfied with one’s lot is better than to desire something which one is not fitted to receive.
磨坊主、他的兒子和驢子
The Miller，His Son，and Their Ass
磨坊主和他的兒子一起趕著他們家的驢子，到附近的市場上去賣。沒走多遠(yuǎn)，他們就看到了一群婦女聚集在井邊聊天。其中有一個說：“你們快看啊，竟然還有人放著驢子不騎自己非要走路的。”磨坊主聽到之后，馬上把驢子讓兒子騎著，自己愉快地走在旁邊。就這樣他們繼續(xù)趕路，過了沒多久，又遇到了幾個在激烈爭吵的老頭，只聽其中一個說道：“啊哈，這就是我的觀點的證明��！現(xiàn)在的社會哪里還有什么尊老愛老的風(fēng)氣��？你們看看，身強力壯的兒子騎在上面，卻讓年老力衰的父親在下面行走�？鞚L下來，你這個無可救藥的家伙！讓你的父親歇歇腳吧！”于是，兒子就把驢子讓給了老人，自己走著。他們沒走多遠(yuǎn)，看見一群婦女和孩子迎面走來。有幾個人立刻大喊：“怎么可以這樣做啊，你這懶惰的老頭！可憐的孩子已經(jīng)一點兒兒力氣也沒有了。”老實的磨坊主只好讓兒子也騎到驢子背上。
快要到達(dá)目的地了，一個市民看到他們問道：“朋友，我可以問一下這驢子是你們自己的嗎？”老人說：“是��！”這時另外的一個人說：“天哪，這頭可憐的驢子！你們怎么可以這樣做？照我看，你們兩個人一起抬驢子走，也許要比騎驢子好得多。”老人說：“那就按照你的意見試一下。”于是，他和兒子從驢子背上下來，將驢子的腿捆起來，用一根木棍抬上驢子往前走。在經(jīng)過市場出口的橋時，很多人圍過來看熱鬧，人群中不斷有人取笑他們。吵鬧聲和這種別扭的擺弄讓驢子很不舒服，它使勁掙脫了繩索和棍子，摔到河里去了。這時，老人羞愧難當(dāng)，急忙從小路逃回家去了。本來是要所有人滿意，結(jié)果所有的人都不滿意，還白白損失了一頭驢子。
任何事物都不可能讓所有人都滿意。
A Miller and his Son were driving their Ass to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop of women collected round a well，talking and laughing. “Look there，” cried one of them，“did you ever see such fellows，to be trudging along the road on foot when they might ride？” The old man hearing this，quickly made his Son mount the Ass，and continued to walk along merrily by his side. Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate.“There，” said one of them，“it proves what I was a-saying. What respect is shown to old age in these days？ Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk？ Get down，you young scapegrace，and let the old man rest his weary limbs.”Upon this the old man made his Son dismount，and got up himself. In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met a company of women and children，“Why，you lazy old fellow，” cried several tongues at once，“how can you ride upon the beast，while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you？”The good-natured Miller immediately took up his Son behind him. They had now almost reached the town. “Pray，honest friend，” said a citizen，“is that Ass your own？”“Yes，” replied the old man. “Oh，one would not have thought so，” said the other，“by the way you load him. Why，you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you.”“Anything to please you，” said the old man；“we can but try.” So，alighting with his Son，they tied the legs of the Ass together and with the help of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town. This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it，till the Ass，not liking the noise nor the strange handling that he was subject to，broke the cords that bound him and，tumbling off the pole，fell into the river. Upon this，the old man，vexed and ashamed，made the best of his way home again，convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased nobody，and lost his Ass in the bargain.
You can’t please everyone.
渡鴉和天鵝
The Raven and the Swan
渡鴉夢想自己也能擁有和天鵝一樣潔白美麗的羽毛。他猜想，天鵝的羽毛之所以那么潔白，一定是常常洗澡的原因。于是，他決定離開賴以生存的祭壇，搬到江湖邊居住。他每天清洗自己的羽毛，可是不僅羽毛沒有洗白，反而因為缺少食物而餓死了。
天生的東西是不會隨生活方式的改變而改變的。
A Raven saw a Swan and desired to secure for himself the same beautiful plumage. Supposing that the Swan’s splendid white color arose from his washing in the water in which he swam，the Raven left the altars in the neighborhood where he picked up his living，and took up residence in the lakes and pools. But cleansing his feathers as often as he would，he could not change their color，while through want of food he perished.
Change of habit cannot alter Nature.
小燕子和烏鴉
The Swallow and the Crow
小燕子和烏鴉在爭論誰的羽毛最美。烏鴉說道：“你的羽毛只有在春天暖和的時候才是美麗的，而我的羽毛卻能幫助我抵御寒冷的冬天。”
對朋友諂媚是毫無意義的。
The Swallow and the Crow had a contention about their plumage. The Crow put an end to the dispute by saying，“Your feathers are all very well in the spring，but mine protect me against the winter.”
Fair weather friends are not worth much.
徒勞的寒鴉
The Vain Jackdaw
朱庇特決定要給鳥類指派一個國王，他定下日子，要求所有的鳥兒都要來參加。他要選擇最漂亮的鳥當(dāng)國王。
寒鴉知道自己的長相丑陋不堪，于是就去搜集同伴們掉在地上的羽毛，并用它們來裝扮自己，希望能成為最漂亮的鳥。
預(yù)定的日子到了，鳥兒們都把自己打扮得漂漂亮亮，來到朱庇特面前。朱庇特發(fā)現(xiàn)寒鴉的羽毛非常漂亮，打算任命他為國王。鳥兒們非常憤慨，將寒鴉團(tuán)團(tuán)圍住，把他身上屬于自己的羽毛都拔了下來。結(jié)果，寒鴉恢復(fù)了本來面目，依舊丑陋不堪。
外表不能代表一切。
Jupiter determined，it is said，to create a sovereign over the birds，and made proclamation that on a certain day they should all present themselves before him，when he would himself choose the most beautiful among them to be king.
The Jackdaw，knowing his own ugliness，searched through the woods and fields，and collected the feathers which had fallen from the wings of his companions，and stuck them in all parts of his body，hoping thereby to make himself the most beautiful of all.
When the appointed day arrived，and the birds had assembled before Jupiter，the Jackdaw also made his appearance in his many feathered finery. But when Jupiter proposed to make him king because of the beauty of his plumage，the birds indignantly protested，and each plucked from him his own feathers，leaving the Jackdaw nothing but a Jackdaw.
A fine bird is more than fine feathers.
口渴的鴿子
The Thirsty Pigeon
有只鴿子口渴得很厲害，看到一幅畫著一盆水的畫，誤以為是真的，就大叫一聲，振翅向這幅畫飛去，不料重重地撞到了貼畫的木板上，頭破血流，翅膀也折斷了，跌倒在地，變成了別人的囊中之物。
做事沖動，只能自取滅亡。
A Pigeon，oppressed by excessive thirst，saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. Not supposing it to be only a picture，she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed against the signboard，jarring herself terribly. Having broken her wings by the blow，she fell to the ground，and was caught by one of the bystanders.
Zeal should not outrun discretion.
孔雀和鶴
The Peacock and the Crane
一只孔雀得意揚揚地展示自己無比美麗的羽毛，看到正好經(jīng)過的鶴，就嘲弄他那灰不溜丟的羽毛：“你看我的羽毛，就像是國王的一件禮服，采擷了天上彩虹的顏色�！柄Q回答說：“你說得確實不錯。但是我可以在高空翱翔，讓星星聽到我的歌聲，而你呢，卻只會像公雞一樣在地上行走�！�
外在的美麗并不是一切。
A Peacock spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed by，ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying，“I am robed，like a king，in gold and purple and all the colors of the rainbow；while you have not a bit of color on your wings.”
“True，”replied the Crane，“but I soar to the heights of heaven and lift up my voice to the stars，while you walk below，like a cock，among the birds of the dunghill.”
Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.
烏鴉和渡鴉
The Crow and the Raven
烏鴉非常嫉妒渡鴉，因為渡鴉被人們稱為靈鳥，能夠預(yù)言未來吉兇，因此人們總是把關(guān)注的目光投向渡鴉。不服氣的烏鴉決定也要為自己爭取這份榮譽。一天，他看到路上有幾個人，就在樹上停下，呱呱地大聲叫起來。過路人聽到聲音就回頭看，正要靠近看時，被他的同伴攔住了。同伴說：“咱們還是趕快離開吧！你沒聽說過烏鴉啼叫代表將要發(fā)生不吉利的事情嗎？”
不自量力只能給別人留下笑柄。
A Crow was jealous of the Raven，because he was considered a bird of good omen and always attracted the attention of men，who noted by his flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing some travelers approaching，the Crow flew up into a tree，and perching herself on one of the branches，cawed as loudly as she could. The travelers turned towards the sound and wondered what it foreboded，when one of them said to his companion，“Let us proceed on our journey，my friend，for it is only the caw of a Crow，and her cry，you know，is no omen.”
Those who assume a character which does not belong to them，only make themselves ridiculous.
狐貍和鶴
The Fox and the Crane
狐貍邀請鶴共進(jìn)晚餐，然而他并沒有真心誠意地為客人準(zhǔn)備什么精美的飯菜，只是用豆子做了一點湯，并把湯放在一個很淺的石盤子中。鶴要費很大的勁才能把湯喝到嘴里，可是湯又會馬上從他的長嘴中流出來。看著鶴笨拙的樣子，狐貍非常開心。后來，鶴回請狐貍吃晚餐。他把食物放在了一只長頸小口的瓶子里，自己可以很容易地吃到食物，而狐貍卻只能眼睜睜地看著。狐貍受到了應(yīng)得的回報。
惡有惡報。
A Fox invited a Crane to supper and provided nothing for his entertainment but some soup made of pulse，which was poured out into a broad flat stone dish. The soup fell out of the long bill of the Crane at every mouthful，and his vexation at not being able to eat afforded the Fox much amusement. The Crane，in his turn，asked the Fox to sup with him，and set before his a flagon with a long narrow mouth，so that he could easily insert his neck and enjoy its contents at his leisure. The Fox，unable even to taste it，met with a fitting requital，after the fashion of her own hospitality.
One bad turn deserves another.
烏鴉和水罐
The Crow and the Pitcher
一只烏鴉口渴難忍，看到一只水罐，就興沖沖地飛過去了�？墒秋w到水罐旁邊，烏鴉才發(fā)現(xiàn)水罐的水少得可憐。烏鴉絞盡腦汁，想了很多辦法，可是依然喝不到水。這時，烏鴉已經(jīng)筋疲力盡了。偶然間，他看到水罐旁邊有很多小石頭，烏鴉終于想到了一條妙計。他用嘴銜住小石頭，然后將它們一顆顆地放進(jìn)水罐里，這樣石頭就會占據(jù)水的空間，水面自然上升了。就這樣烏鴉如愿以償?shù)睾鹊搅怂?br/> 自我需要是成功的動機。
A Crow perishing with thirst saw a Pitcher，and hoping to find water，flew to it with delight. When he reached it，he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water，but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the Pitcher，until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
寒鴉和狐貍
The Jackdaw and the Fox
一只饑腸轆轆的寒鴉停在一棵無花果樹上。無花果樹上結(jié)了很多果實，但是還沒有成熟。寒鴉決定待在那里等到果實成熟了再慢慢享用。狐貍看到寒鴉在樹上停留了很長時間，就向他詢問是怎么回事兒。狐貍得知事情的經(jīng)過后，對寒鴉說：“朋友，你不要再自欺欺人了。你的希望一定會落空的。拿這種希望來填飽肚子是無論如何也辦不到的�！�
不要欺騙自己。
A half-famished Jackdaw seated himself on a fig-tree，which had produced some fruit entirely out of season，and waited in the hope that the figs would ripen. A Fox seeing him sitting so long and learning the reason of his doing so，said to him，“You are indeed，sir，sadly deceiving yourself；you are indulging a hope strong enough to cheat you，but which will never reward you with enjoyment.”
Don’t deceive yourself.
孝順的百靈鳥
The Lark Burying Her Father
根據(jù)古老的傳說，百靈鳥在地球出現(xiàn)之前就已經(jīng)存在了。她的父親生病去世了，由于當(dāng)時地球還沒有出現(xiàn)，她找不到地方來埋葬父親。就這樣她父親的尸體在外面停放了五天，到了第六天，無可奈何的百靈鳥把父親葬在了自己的頭上。從此之后，百靈鳥的頭上就有了冠毛，人們傳說那就是她父親的墳?zāi)埂?br/> 年輕人的第一責(zé)任是孝敬父母。
The Lark（according to an ancient legend）was created before the earth itself，and when her father died，as there was no earth，she could find no place of burial for him. She let him lie uninterred for five days，and on the sixth day，not knowing what else to do，she buried him in her own head. Hence she obtained her crest，which is popularly said to be her father’s grave-hillock.
Youth’s first duty is reverence to parents.
鳥、獸和蝙蝠
The Birds，the Beasts，and the Bat
鳥類和野獸相互爭斗，雙方各有勝負(fù)。蝙蝠害怕爭斗會危及自己，因此總是依附勝利的一方。當(dāng)鳥類和野獸宣告停止?fàn)幎�、和睦相處的時候，大家才看清了蝙蝠的本性，對他的欺騙行為感到非常氣憤。因此，蝙蝠遭到了雙方的譴責(zé)，被驅(qū)逐出日光之外。從此之后，蝙蝠白天就躲在黑暗的地方，只有到了晚上才獨自出來活動。
兩面三刀的人是不會有朋友的。
The Birds waged war with the Beasts，and each were by turns the conquerors. The Bat，fearing the uncertain issues of the fight，always fought on the side which he felt was the strongest. When peace was proclaimed，his deceitful conduct was apparent to both combatants. Therefore being condemned by each for his treachery，he was driven forth from the light of day，and henceforth concealed himself in dark hiding-places，flying always alone and at night.
He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.
鴿子和烏鴉
The Dove and the Crow
一只被關(guān)在籠子里的鴿子不斷地吹噓自己養(yǎng)育了這么多孩子，是多么勞苦功高。烏鴉正好飛過，聽到了他的話就對他說：“我的好朋友，您不要再吹牛了。你的家族成員越多，你應(yīng)該感到更加悲哀才是��！因為這意味著將有更多的成員失去自由，被關(guān)在這牢房一樣的籠子里��！”
多子多福，如果他們其中的幾個非常出色，那將是更大的幸福。
A Dove shut up in a cage was boasting of the large number of young ones which she had hatched. A Crow hearing her，said，“My good friend，cease from this unseasonable boasting. The larger the number of your family，the greater your cause of sorrow，in seeing them shut up in this prison-house.”
Many children are a great blessing;but a few good ones are a greater.
揮霍者和燕子
The Spendthrift and the Swallow
有一個年輕人，在很短的時間內(nèi)就把祖輩留給他的東西都揮霍一空了，只剩下身上的一件外套。一天，他碰巧看到了一只提前從暖和的地方飛回的燕子，就誤以為是春天到了，于是就把身上唯一的外衣也賣掉了。不久之后，氣溫驟然下降，凍得他無處躲藏，正好在路上看到凍死的燕子，便對他說道：“不幸的家伙！你為什么要提前回來呢？不僅害死了你自己，也把我連累了啊！”
不要根據(jù)單一的現(xiàn)象就下結(jié)論。
A Young Man，a great spendthrift，had run through all his patrimony and had but one good cloak left. One day he happened to see a Swallow，which had appeared before its season，skimming along a pool and twittering gaily. He supposed that summer had come，and went and sold his cloak. Not many days later，winter set in again with renewed frost and cold. When he found the unfortunate Swallow lifeless on the ground，he said，“Unhappy bird！ what have you done？ By thus appearing before the springtime you have not only killed yourself，but you have wrought my destruction also.”
Don’t draw a conclusion based on a single observation.
斗雞和鵪鶉
The Gamecocks and the Partridge
一個人在自己家里養(yǎng)了兩只斗雞。一天，一個偶然的機會，這個人在市場上看到一只非常溫馴的鵪鶉。他馬上把鵪鶉買下來并帶回家，和斗雞養(yǎng)在一起。剛開始的時候，斗雞經(jīng)常和鵪鶉爭斗，因此鵪鶉覺得非常委屈，認(rèn)為自己是新來的所以才會遭受這樣的待遇。不久之后，鵪鶉就發(fā)現(xiàn)這兩只斗雞經(jīng)常彼此打斗，除非有一個受了重傷，否則他們是不會分開的。這時，他才恍然大悟：“我實在不應(yīng)該為自己遭受攻擊而壓抑了，因為他們只是為爭斗而奮斗。”
有些人只是為了爭吵而爭吵。
A Man had two Gamecocks in his poultry-yard. One day by chance he found a tame Partridge for sale. He purchased it and brought it home to be reared with his Gamecocks. When the Partridge was put into the poultry-yard，they struck at it and followed it about，so that the Partridge became grievously troubled and supposed that he was thus evilly treated because he was a stranger. Not long afterwards he saw the Cocks fighting together and not separating before one had well beaten the other. He then said to himself，“I shall no longer distress myself at being struck at by these Gamecocks，when I see that they cannot even refrain from quarreling with each other.”
Some people quarrel just for sake of quarrelling.
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