Wikipedia, and others.
Fables of Aesop (1722)
The Dog in the Manger
‘People frequently begrudge something to others that they themselves cannot enjoy. Even though it does them no good, they won’t let others have it. Listen to a fable about such an event.
There was a wicked dog lying in a manger full of hay. When the cattle came and wanted to eat, the dog barred their way, baring his teeth. The cattle said to the dog, “You are being very unfair by begrudging us something we need which is useless to you. Dogs don’t eat hay, but you will not let us near it.”
The fable shows that it is not easy to avoid envy; with some effort you can try to escape its effects, but it never goes away entirely.’
‘The stronger the passion is, the greater torment he endures; and subjects himself to a continual real pain, by only wishing ill to others.’
It is with this understanding that the idiom of ‘a dog in a manger’ is most often used.
.
“The Dog in the Manger”
_______________________________
Thank you Lucy for posting the definition.
It is easy to understand why some in America seem to be stuck,
and resentful of others that manage to lead their own lives.
I have as much love for America, as founded, as anyone.
Uncle Sam is one of my ancestors.
I do, however, choose my own life, and will not let some sore people try to make me feel guilty.
Thanks for the info. Just out of curiosity, is there an Aesop’s Fable that deals with a guy on the second floor of a building which has a fire on the first floor, who keeps calling down to the people trying to put the fire out: “Hey, you guys are wasting your time! Why don’t you be as smart as me and just come up to the second floor? There’s no fire here” ?