Roger L'Estrange

“ What's a Character of Honor upon the Shoulders of a Man that has neither a Soul Answerable to’t, nor a True Sense of the Dignity, but a Mark set up for every Common Fool to shoot his Bolt at! When Apes are in Power, there will never want Foxes to Play upon them. ”

“ Men should not take a Charge upon them that they are not Fit for as if Singing, Dancing, and Shewing of Tricks, were Qualifications for a Governor. Baudoin says, that This Fable, shews not only the Envy and Malignity of the Fox; but the Imprudence of the Electors in the Choice of Ministers and Officers, that are not made for Bus’ness. Here’s first an Ape made a King, for shewing Tricks, and making Fools Faces; And the Fox is then to put a Slurr upon him, in Exposing him for Sport, to the Scorn of the People. ”

“ The Ape lays his Hand upont, and the Trap springs and Catches him by the Fingers. Ah thou Persidious Wretch, cryes the Ape! Or thou simple Prince, rather, replyes the Fox. You a Governour of Others, with a Vengeance, that han't Wit enough to look to your own Fingers.
The Moral.
Governors should be Men of Business rather then Pleasure. There's One Great Folly in Making an Ill Choice of a Ruler, and Another in the Acceptance of it; for it Exposes Authority to Scorn.
REFLEXION.
Rashness, and Want of Consideration, is ever Unfortunate. ”