A very unskilful Cobbler, finding himself unable to make a living at his trade, gave up mending boots and took to doctoring instead. He gave out that he had the secret of a universal antidote against all poisons, and acquired no small reputation, thanks to his talent for puffing himself. One day, however, he fell very ill; and the King of the country bethought him that he would test the value of his remedy. Calling, therefore, for a cup, he poured out a dose of the antidote, and, under pretence of mixing poison with it, added a little water, and commanded him to drink it. Terrified by the fear of being poisoned, the Cobbler confessed that he knew nothing about medicine, and that his antidote was worthless. Then the King summoned his subjects and addressed them as follows: “What folly could be greater than yours? Here is this Cobbler to whom no one will send his boots to be mended, and yet you have not hesitated to entrust him with your lives!”
有一个技术很不好的修鞋匠，发现自己没有办法依靠修鞋为生，便不再修鞋，改行做了医生。他声称自己有一种能解百毒的解毒剂，由于他吹嘘自己的能力，赚了很多钱。但是有一天，他自己生了重病，国王觉得应该测试一下他的灵药，于是让人倒出一剂解毒剂，假装混了毒药在里面，实际上只是加了一些水，然后便命令他喝下去。修鞋匠害怕被毒死，便承认自己对医药一无所知，他的解毒剂一钱不值。然后国王召集臣民，发布演说：“还有比你们更傻的傻瓜吗？都没有人送靴子去让这个修鞋匠修，你们却还毫不犹豫地把命交托到他手里。”