Parables and Fables

from: Schopenhauer, Arthur. Hollingdale, R.J., trans. Parerga and Paralipomena.

in: Hollingdale, R.J., ed. "On Various Subjects." Essays and Aphorisms. New York: Penguin, 1970. 235-6.

Two Chinamen visiting Europe went to the theater for the first time. One of them occupied himself with trying to understand the theatrical machinery, which he succeeded in doing. The other, despite his ignorance of the language, sought to unravel the meaning of the play. The former is like the astronomer, the latter the philosopher.

No rose without a thorn. But many a thorn without a rose.

The dog is rightly the symbol of loyalty: in the plant-world, however, it should be the fir-tree. For it alone abides with us through bad times as well as good; it does not desert us when the sun does, like all other trees, plants, birds and insects -- to return only when the sky above us is blue again.

A mother had, for their education and betterment, given her children Aesop's fables to read. Very soon, however, they brought the book back to her, and the eldest, who was very knowing and precocious, said: 'This is not a book for us! It's much too childish and silly. We've got past believing that foxes, wolves and ravens can talk: we're far too grown-up for such nonsense!' -- Who cannot see in this hopeful lad the future enlightened Rationalist?

Once when I was collecting specimens under an oak-tree I found, among the other plants and weeds, and of the same size as they, a plant of a dark color with contracted leaves and a straight, rigid stalk. When I made to touch it, it said in a firm voice: 'Let me alone! I am no weed for your herbarium, like these others to whom nature has given a bare year of life. My life is measured in centuries: I am a little oak-tree.' -- Thus does he whose influence is to be felt across the centuries stand, as a child, as a youth, often still as a man, indeed as a living creature as such, apparently like the rest and as insignificant as they. But just give him time and, with time, those who know how to recognize him. He will not die like the rest.

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