THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG

There was once a Dog who used to snap at people and bite them without any provocation, and who was a great nuisance to every one who came to his master's house. So his master fastened a bell round his neck to warn people of his presence. The Dog was very proud of the bell, and strutted about tinkling it with immense satisfaction. But an old dog came up to him and said, “The fewer airs you give yourself the better, my friend. You don't think, do you, that your bell was given you as a reward of merit? On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.”

Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.

恶犬

从前有一只狗，总是无缘无故地对着人乱叫或是咬人，所有到过狗主人家的人都觉得这只狗是个大麻烦。所以主人就在狗脖子上挂了一个铃铛，好给人们提个醒，告诉人们狗来了。狗得到铃铛之后很是骄傲，心满意足地晃来晃去，让铃铛响个不停。一只老狗对他说：“朋友，你最好还是别显摆了。你是不是以为给你铃铛是夸奖你啊？相反，这实际上是个耻辱的标记。”

训诫：恶名常被误当作美名。