Index / back /Fox Even as a fox is man;
as a fox which seeing
a fine vineyard lusted after its grapes.But the palings were placed
at narrow distances,
and the fox was too bulky to creep between them.For three days he fasted,
and when he had grown thin
he entered into the vineyard.He feasted upon the grapes,
forgetful of the morrow,
of all things but his enjoyment;
and lo, he had again grown stout
and was unable to leave the scene of his feast.So for three days more he fasted,
and when he had again grown thin,
he passed through the palings
and stood outside the vineyard
meagre as when he went in.So with man;
poor and naked he enters the world,
poor and naked does he leave.Man is born with his hands clenched;
he dies with his hands wide open.Entering life he desires to grasp everthing;
leaving the world all that he possessed
has slipped away.The Talmud.
