Tag Archives: The Philosopher

274.The Philosopher, the Ants, and Sir Transporter

A PHILOSOPHER witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, of which the crew and passengers were all drowned. He inveighed against the injustice of Providence, which would for the sake of one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent persons to perish. As he was indulging in these reflections, he found himself surrounded by a whole army of ants, near whose nest he was standing. One of them climbed up and stung him, and he at once trampled them all to death with his foot. Sir Transporter presented himself, and striking the philosopher with his wand, said,

“And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of Providence, who have yourself in a similar manner treated these poor ants?”

Ants and persons seldom perish from refusing better things.

Great things can be achieved by some who help one another.