THE VIPER AND THE FILE

A Viper entered a carpenter's shop, and went from one to another of the tools, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal. The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, “What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably take from every one and never give anything in return.”

The covetous are poor givers.

毒蛇和锉刀

有一条毒蛇进入了一个木匠的店铺，在各种工具中爬来爬去，求他们给他些东西吃。他对一把锉刀说，希望能够尝尝饭的美味。锉刀以一种怜悯而轻蔑的语气回答：“你可真是个傻瓜，居然觉得能从我这儿找到东西，要知道我可是从其他所有人那儿拿东西，从来都不回报的。”

训诫：贪婪者往往吝啬。