The Woman and Her Hen A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave…
““The Woman and Her Hen A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen a double allowance of barley. From that day the Hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Greedy attempts to increase output can lead to loss of the original benefit.
In simple terms: Trying to get more can cause loss of what you have.
Key Takeaway
Value what you have, avoid overexploitation.
Themes
greed
balance
consequence
Mood
cautionary
educational
Type
fable
moralistic
When to use this quote
- farming
- personal finance
- business growth
- overproduction
Key Concepts
resource management
sustainability
contentment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you increase output without harming the source?
- What limits should you set on resource use?
A Different Perspective
The moral may not apply when increasing efficiency is sustainable.