If these town gods can't detect the thieves who steal from their own temples, it's hardly likely they'll tell me who stole my spade.
Aesoponce upon a time all the rivers combined to protest against the action of the sea in making their waters salt. "When we come to you," sad they to the sea, "we are sweet and drinkable; but when once we have mingled with you, our waters become as briny and unpalatable as your own." The sea replied shortly, "Keep away from me, and you'll remain sweet.
Aesop