We’ll set thee to school to an ant to teach thee there’s no labouring i’ th’ winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men, and there’s not a nose among twenty but can smell him that’s stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill lest it break thy neck with following; but the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee after. When a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again. I would have none but knaves follow it, since a Fool gives it.
– William Shakespeare
King Lear, Act 2, Scene 4. The Fool uses metaphorical language to advise Kent that there is no use serving a man like Lear who has nothing to offer. Even the blind can smell his misery. When you see a great wheel rolling down a hill, you shouldn’t try to hold it or it will break your neck, the Fool warns. But the wheel that goes uphill, let it pull you up after it. When a wise man gives you better advice, give mine back, says the Fool.