A Wolf eats sheep but now and then; Ten thousands are…
“A Wolf eats sheep but now and then; Ten thousands are devour'd by men. An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretend friend is worse.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Sheep are preyed upon, but humans cause far greater harm; false friends are more dangerous than open enemies.
In simple terms: Human cruelty exceeds animal predation; deceit is worse than open conflict.
Key Takeaway
Beware hidden betrayal.
Themes
trust
deception
human nature
Mood
cautionary
serious
Type
poetic
advisory
When to use this quote
- politics
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
predation
friendship
danger
Questions to Reflect On
- Who in your life might be a false friend?
- How do you detect hidden threats?
A Different Perspective
Open enemies can be easier to confront than hidden foes.