The Fox And The Crow A CROW having stolen a bit of meat…
““The Fox And The Crow A CROW having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. "How handsome is the Crow," he exclaimed, in the beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!" This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, and thus addressed the Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Flattery can be used to deceive; the vain may reveal their weaknesses when praised.
In simple terms: Flattery tricks the proud; beware of compliments.
Key Takeaway
Question compliments and stay focused on substance.
Themes
deception
pride
flattery
wisdom
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
fable
didactic
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- sales pitches
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Aesop's moral
psychology of ego
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you been swayed by praise?
- How can you test the truth behind compliments?
A Different Perspective
Flattery can sometimes motivate positive action, not just deceit.