839. Colonus Expertus et Vir Imperitus. Aliquis, cum cupidus agriculturae foret et imperitiam suam latere vellet, vana elatione animi turgidus, ficta ambulandi causa agricolam valde peritum convenit. Hunc solitis laboribus fungentem paulum observat, videns etiam cum is amputaret arborum fruticationem superfluam, stolones vagos et ramulos inutiles. “Cur,” ait, “caedem tantam facis lignique frondiumque?” “Hinc scilicet,” inquit colonus, “uberior fructus redit.” Neque ille plura quaesiit; credidit sese iam omnem artis prudentiam assecutum et abiit. Mox ad suum fundum reversus, securim capit et, miser, arborum ramos quosque bonos malosque obvios abscindit et, furiosus, omnem palmitum spem resecat. Fabella docet imperitos saepe ab exemplis bonis peccandi fiduciam capere.
M0839 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 8.29 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. This man is like the monkey who imitates others without understanding how things really work; see #123.
