An Ass¹, being driven along the high road, suddenly started off, and bolted to the brink² of a deep precipice³. When he was in the act of throwing himself over, his owner, seizing him by the tail, endeavored to pull him back. The Ass persisting in his effort, the man let him go, and said: "Conquer; but conquer to your cost."

The perverse⁴ generally come to harm.