SOME THIEVES broke into a house and found nothing but a Cock,
whom they stole, and got off as fast as they could. Upon
arriving at home they prepared to kill the Cock, who thus pleaded
for his life: Pray spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I
wake them up in the night to their work. That is the very
reason why we must the more kill you, they replied; for when
you wake your neighbors, you entirely1 put an end to our
business.
The safeguards of virtue2 are hateful to those with evil
intentions.