764. Navis et Nauta. Navis, onere imposito, cum ingemisceret, nautam rogavit ut ipsam levaret antennis suis, rudentibusque, armamentisque ceteris, dictitans sic omnem cursum magis celerem sibi et expeditum fore. At ille “O stulta, quid petis?” ait; “maxime iuvabit id quod impedimentum putas.” Fabella quorumdam hominum stultitiam notat, qui, dum volunt sese liberos praestare, res abiudicant maxime sibi utiles.
M0764 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 10.8 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For a story about a foolish sailor trying to use the ship’s mast and sails on land, see #836.
