It would have been far better to have left things in their original position, for then we would not have been put to the expense of building our road, and afterwards of creating difficulties.

In the name of _Puera_, I come to propose to you, not to renounce at once our system of mutual obstacles, for this would be acting according to a theory, and we despise theories as much as you do; but to lighten somewhat these obstacles, weighing at the same time carefully our respective _sacrifices_." The ambassador having thus spoken, the town of _Stulta_ asked time to reflect; manufacturers, agriculturists were consulted; and at last, after some years' deliberation, it was declared that the negotiations were broken off.
At this news, the inhabitants of _Puera_ held a council.

An old man (who it has always been supposed had been secretly bribed by _Stulta_) rose and said: "The obstacles raised by _Stulta_ are injurious to our sales; this is a misfortune.

Those which we ourselves create, injure our purchases; this is a second misfortune.

We have no power over the first, but the second is entirely dependent upon ourselves.