English Original
A viper entered a carpenter's shop and went from one tool to another, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed himself to the file and asked for the favor of a meal.
The file replied in a tone of pitying contempt, "What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably takes from everyone and never gives anything in return."
The covetous are poor givers.
中文翻译
一条毒蛇溜进了一家木匠铺，挨个向工具乞求食物。最后，它向锉刀开口，请求施舍一顿饭。
锉刀以怜悯又轻蔑的语气回答道："你真是个笨蛋，居然想从我这里得到东西。我向来只从所有人那里索取，从不给予任何回报。"
贪婪之人，鲜有施舍。