Malum vas non frangitur.

The worthless vessel escapes being broken more frequently than one of more value. Naught, we say, though often in danger, is seldom hurt, and ill weeds grow apace. The opinion that the virtuous and discreet are more subject to accident and misfortune, than the vicious, is too general not to be founded on observation. The good man, conscious of not having done, or intended injury to any one, is not easily led to apprehend mischief from others, or to use precautions against the shafts of malice, which he cannot suppose to be levelled at him; but the vicious man, knowing he has deserved, is constantly on his guard against the enmity of those whom he has injured or provoked. This habit of watchfulness and attention to his safety, occasions him not only to escape the injuries which persons less wary meet with, but to obtain a larger portion of the goods of the world, than fall to the lot of persons more deserving, but who are less active and vigilant in using the means necessary for acquiring them. Or the adage may be explained in this way: we set snares for the Canarybird, the Groldfinch, and other birds of song, and having taken them, we confine them in cages; but the Sparrow, the Swallow, and many others, that neither contribute to our amusement, nor are used at our tables, are suffered to enjoy their liberty.