If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs

In the world of Aesop's fables, the idea that allowing others to use you for their own purposes will ultimately lead to your own exploitation is a recurring theme. Aesop, a Greek storyteller believed to have lived in the 6th century BC, used animals and other characters to convey moral lessons to his audience. One of his most famous fables, "The Farmer and the Viper," illustrates this concept perfectly.

In this fable, a farmer finds a frozen viper and takes pity on it, bringing it home and nursing it back to health. However, as soon as the viper has recovered, it bites the farmer, causing his death. When the farmer asks why the viper would betray him after he had shown it kindness, the viper simply replies, "It is my nature."

This fable serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing oneself to be used by others without considering the consequences. Just as the farmer's kindness was ultimately repaid with betrayal, so too can individuals who allow themselves to be used by others find themselves exploited and harmed in the end.