796. Prometheus et Satyrus. Allatus est ignis in terras, nam Prometheus eum Iovi furto subtractum apportavit mortalibus. Tum igitur Satyrus delectatus splendore et claritate flammae, voluit amplecti ignem et osculari. Sed Prometheus monebat futurum hoc cum detrimento barbae ipsius. “Aduret enim hanc,” inquit, “et cum cruciatu exulcerabit mentum.” Ibi Satyrus reprehendit factum Promethei, qui malum splendidum mortalibus attulit. Prometheus vero docuit malum non esse, dicens “Nam urit quidem ignis, sed lucem etiam atque calorem suppeditat, cum ad vitae iucunditatem, tum omnium artium usum et opificia, si quis illo uti recte sciat.” Fabula docet exquirendum usum verum in rebus omnibus, ne perversa usurpatione damna nobis accersamus.
M0796 = Perry467. Source: Camerarius 403. This is Perry 467. The theft of fire would later lead to disastrous consequences for Prometheus, when Jupiter decided to punish him by chaining him to a rock while a giant bird consumed his liver day after day, which would then grow back again. For another fable about the foolish satyr, see #809.
