Alciato's Book of Emblems

Emblem 153

Safety should at times be bought with money

Though limping, its swollen underbelly sagging, the beaver nonetheless escapes the trap by this strategy. With its teeth, it rips off its healing genitals, and casts them away, knowing it is being hunted for them. By the example of this animal, learn not to spare your possessions but to give money to your enemies, in order to preserve your life.