The Philosopher The Ants And Mercury
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 immediately trampled them all to
death with his foot. Mercury 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 hast thyself in a similar manner
treated these poor Ants?'
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