Whoever tries to bite with cruel teeth one who can bite even more, will be portrayed in this apologue.
An adder entered a blacksmith's workshop. While he was feeling to see if there was anything to eat, he bit into a file. This, hard, in reply: "Silly, why do you try to hurt me with your teeth, because I'm used to gnawing iron?
[ Mordaciorem qui improbo dente appetit
Hoc argumento se describi sentiat.
In officinam fabri venit vipera.
Haec cum temptaret siqua res esset cibi,
Limam momordit. Illa contra contumax:
«Quid me» inquit «stulta, dente captas laedere,
Omne assuevi ferrum quae corrodere?» ]
An adder entered a blacksmith's workshop. While he was feeling to see if there was anything to eat, he bit into a file. This, hard, in reply: "Silly, why do you try to hurt me with your teeth, because I'm used to gnawing iron?
[ Mordaciorem qui improbo dente appetit
Hoc argumento se describi sentiat.
In officinam fabri venit vipera.
Haec cum temptaret siqua res esset cibi,
Limam momordit. Illa contra contumax:
«Quid me» inquit «stulta, dente captas laedere,
Omne assuevi ferrum quae corrodere?» ]
