The Goods and the Ills-英文寓言故事

字號:

ALL the Goods were once driven out by the Ills from that common
    share which they each had in the affairs of mankind; for the Ills
    by reason of their numbers had prevailed to possess the earth.
    The Goods wafted themselves to heaven and asked for a righteous
    vengeance on their persecutors.
    They entreated Jupiter that they
    might no longer be associated with the Ills, as they had nothing
    in common and could not live together, but were engaged in
    unceasing warfare; and that an indissoluble law might be laid
    down for their future protection.
    Jupiter granted their request
    and decreed that henceforth the Ills should visit the earth in
    company with each other, but that the Goods should one by one
    enter the habitations of men.
    Hence it arises that Ills abound,
    for they come not one by one, but in troops, and by no means
    singly:
    while the Goods proceed from Jupiter, and are given, not
    alike to all, but singly, and separately; and one by one to those
    who are able to discern them.