Moral: The value of all things is in proportion to their usefulness.
The gods, according to the heathen mythologists, each had their favorite tree. Jupiter preferred the oak, Venus the myrtle, and Phoebus the laurel; Cybele the pine, and Hercules the poplar. Minerva, surprised that they chose barren trees, asked Jupiter the reason. “It is,” said he, “to prevent any suspicion that we confer the honor we do them for the sake of their fruit.”
“Let folly suspect what it pleases,” returned Minerva. “I shall not hesitate to acknowledge that I make choice of the olive for the usefulness of its fruit.”
“O daughter,” replied the father of the gods, “it is with justice that men esteem thee wise; for nothing is truly valuable that is not useful.”
