Thinking Out Loud ~ Let the Intellect Rule Over Emotions

Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Bat and the Weasels. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel, and was

just going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The

Weasel said he couldn’t do that because he was an enemy of all

birds on principle. “Oh, but,” said the Bat, “I’m not a bird at

all: I’m a mouse.” “So you are,” said the Weasel, “now I come to

look at you”; and he let it go. Some time after this the Bat was

caught in just the same way by another Weasel, and, as before,

begged for its life. “No,” said the Weasel, “I never let a mouse go

by any chance.” “But I’m not a mouse,” said the Bat; “I’m a bird.”

“Why, so you are,” said the Weasel; and he too let the Bat go.”

Note: It’s wise to collect data before making a decision. We do that when we are buying a car or other expensive items. We’ll read reviews of the product and of the vendor. Then we make our decision. It’s also wise to collect data before judging other people. We don’t know another person’s experience, or even know who the person is. There’s a lot about ourselves that we don’t know. It’s better to wait and collect data before we say something that we will regret. When we use our intellect to guide our emotions we make better decisions and judgments.