A Boy was in danger of drowning and asked for help. The bystander berated him for being in the river. Boy asked that he help now and criticize later.
Counsel without help is useless.
Townsend version
A boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a passing traveler for help, but instead of holding out a helping hand, the man stood by unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. “Oh, sir!” cried the youth, “pray help me now and scold me afterwards.”
Moral
Counsel without help is useless.
Puer et Paedagogus
Puer ad fluminis profundi oram ludens pede lapsus est. At salix opem dat, prensa labentis manu, et eum pendulum sustinet ne pereat in undae voraginem mersus. Paedagogus, cum huc venisset, inquit, “Istos nebulones meos sic evagari! Hoc sinam? Sic mihi non obsequi! Hoc patiar? Te quidem periculo praesenti eripiam, ludio proterve, at profecto non feres impune. Namque te modo, simul ac domum reduxero, flagris perbelle admonitum dabo, quantum satis erit ut facti memineris diu.” Puer, diro flagrorum metu externatus, salicem relinquit et perit, fluctu obrutus.
Moral
Libido magis increpandi quam iuvandi quoddam paedagogorum genus permovet.
Perry #211