The Lion, the Boar and the Vultures

The Lion, the Boar and the Vultures is sometimes counted among Aesop's Fables and warns against quarrels of which others will take advantage. It is numbered 338 in the Perry Index.

One man's loss is another man's gain

The fable only existed in Greek sources formerly and concerns a lion and boar who fight each other to be the first to drink from a spring. Observing vultures gathering to swoop on the loser, the two fierce animals decide that it is better to have friendly relations rather than be eaten by such vile creatures. The story appeared in few of the main fable collections but was given popularity during the Renaissance by being included among the emblems of Andrea Alciato under the heading "One man's loss is another man's gain" (ex damno alterius, alterius utilitas). The Latin quatrain accompanying the illustration does not mention the cause of the quarrel but concludes that the victor's glory will belong to the one that gets the spoil.

Still another moral was given the story by Arthur Golding in his manuscript A Moral Fabletalk later in the 16th century. There the religious author, observing the behaviour of the waiting vulture, concluded that hope is often deceived and should only be placed in God. A century later, at the end of several civil conflicts, Roger L'Estrange's reflection was ultimately sceptical: "There are several sorts of men in the world that live upon the sins and the misfortunes of other people…for the wrangling of some is the livelihood of others". He lists those who gain as lawyers, religious divines and soldiers.