Believe that when a man becomes utterly helpless in body and soul, he stoops to flattery; it is the very nature of neediness that it turns even lions into foxes.
This couplet presents a deeply empathetic look at how extreme desperation can crush a person's pride. Using the vivid contrast between a mighty lion and a timid fox, the poet observes that when someone is broken in body and spirit, they are forced to flatter and bend. It is a timeless reminder that hunger and helplessness can humble even the fiercest souls, not out of a lack of dignity, but under the sheer weight of circumstance.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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