English Original
A cobbler, unable to make a living by his trade and desperate from poverty, began to practice medicine in a town where he was unknown. He sold a drug, pretending it was an antidote to all poisons, and gained a great reputation through long-winded advertisements.
When the cobbler himself fell seriously ill, the town's Governor decided to test his skill. He called for a cup and, while filling it with water, pretended to mix poison with the cobbler's antidote. He then commanded the cobbler to drink it, promising a reward.
Fearing death, the cobbler confessed he had no medical knowledge and was only made famous by the foolish clamor of the crowd. The Governor then called a public assembly and addressed the citizens: "What folly have you been guilty of? You did not hesitate to entrust your heads to a man whom no one would even employ to make shoes for their feet."
中文翻译
一位鞋匠因无法靠本行谋生，被贫困逼得走投无路，便在一个无人认识他的小镇上行医。他售卖一种药物，谎称它是能解百毒的解毒剂，并通过冗长的吹嘘和广告为自己赢得了巨大的名声。
当这位鞋匠自己身患重病时，该镇的镇长决定测试他的医术。为此，他要来一个杯子，在往里倒水时，假装将毒药混入了鞋匠的解毒剂中，并命令鞋匠喝下，承诺会给予奖赏。
鞋匠在死亡的恐惧下，承认自己对医药一无所知，他的名声仅仅是靠民众愚蠢的喧嚷捧起来的。镇长随后召集了一次公众集会，并对市民们说：“你们犯了何等愚蠢的错误？你们竟毫不犹豫地将自己的性命托付给一个连给人做鞋都没人愿意雇用的人。”