Fear and Greed tear at a man over a Lion made of gold.
Chambry (The Timid and Covetous Man)
Note: The Chambry collection is published in Greek. AI was used to translate the Greek to this text:
A cowardly, greedy man, upon finding a golden lion, said: “I don’t know what will become of me in this situation. I am out of my senses and don’t know what to do. Love of money pulls me in one direction, and cowardice by nature in the other. For what fate or what god has made a golden lion? My soul is at war with itself over this. It loves the gold but fears the work (or consequences) that come with the gold. Desire drives me to take it; caution compels me to keep away.
O fortune that gives but does not allow one to take! O treasure without pleasure! O favor of a god become a joyless gift!
What then? In what way should I deal with this? To what contrivance shall I turn? I will go and bring my servants here to take it, for they ought by their numbers to have strength enough, and I myself will stand at a distance and watch.”
How do you think an AI might simplify this fable? Here is one answer, and the illustration above was made from this simplification:
A timid, greedy man discovers a golden lion but is paralyzed by fear of danger or trouble if he takes it. He agonizes over his conflicting desires—love of wealth and fear of risk. Unable to decide, he resolves to call his servants to carry it off while he watches from afar.
Moral
This story applies to the kind of rich person who dares not touch or use their wealth—owning treasure that brings no joy because they lack the courage to enjoy it.
Perry. #71