A Saying Of Socrates

Fables of Jean De La Fontaine

One day Socrates was having a house built,
Each one in turn found fault with the work:
One thought, no fooling, the interior to be,
Unworthy for such a great person;
Another disliked the front, and all agreed
The rooms were far too small.

"Such a house for him! In which one can't turn around."

"Heaven willing that enough true friends,
Might be found, said he, to fill it as it is!"

Wise Socrates was correct
In thinking his house too big for these few.
Each profess to be a friend; but only a fool believes so:
This word so often used yet,
Nothing is more rare!

[Courtesy of Aesopfables.com]