I replied, "The story of that fox suits your case, which they saw
running away, stumbling and getting up. Somebody asked him, 'What
calamity has happened to put you in such a state of trepidation?' He
said, 'I have heard that they are putting a camel in requisition.' The
other answered, 'O silly animal! what connection has a camel with you,
or what resemblance is there between you and it?' He said, 'Be silent;
for were the envious from malevolence to insist that this is a camel,
and I should be seized for one, who would be so solicitous about me as
to inquire into my case?' And before they can bring the antidote from
Irac the person bitten by the snake may be dead. In like manner, you
possess knowledge and integrity, discrimination and probity, yet spies
lie in ambush, and informers lurk in corners, who, notwithstanding your
moral rectitude, will note down the opposite; and should you anyhow
stand arraigned before the king, and occupy the place of his
reprehension, who in that state would step forward in your defence?
Accordingly, I would advise that you should secure the kingdom of
contentment, and give up all thoughts of preferment. As the wise have
said:--'The benefits of a sea voyage are innumerable; but if thou
seekest for safety, it is to be found only on shore.'"

My friend listened to this speech; he got into a passion, cavilled at my
fable, and began to question it with warmth and asperity, saying, "What
wisdom or propriety, good sense or morality, is there in this? Here is
verified that maxim of the sage, which tells us they are friends alone
that can serve us in a jail, for all our enemies may pretend friendship
at our own table.--'Esteem him not a friend who during thy prosperity
will brag of his love and brotherly affection.' I account him a friend
who will take his friend by the hand when struggling with despair, and
overwhelmed with misfortune."