With the possible exception of the New Testament, no works written in Greek are better known than Aesop’s Fables. For at least 2500 years, they have been teaching people of all ages and every social status lessons on how to choose correct actions and the likely consequences of choosing incorrect actions.  Aesop wrote a fable about vanity leading to self-destruction in his tale about a raven and a swan:

“A Raven, which you know is black as coal, was envious of the Swan, because her feathers were as white as the purest snow. The foolish bird got the idea that if he lived like the Swan, swimming and diving all day long and eating the weeds and plants that grow in the water, his feathers would turn white like the Swan’s.  So he left his home in the woods and fields and flew down to live on the lakes and in the marshes. But though he washed and washed all day long, almost drowning himself at it, his feathers remained as black as ever. And as the water weeds he ate did not agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died.”

The moral is that obsessive vanity and self-centredness lead to disaster. How does the tale of wisdom apply to the obsession of  President Trump for self-glorifying his overblown view of his self-importance?  Consider these examples:

Θ  The Treasury Department said it is working on a $1 coin featuring President Trump’s image to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence next year.  Although the design isn’t final.  The front side of the coin features Trump, while the reverse side depicts the president with his fist raised and a U.S. flag flying behind him and the words “fight fight fight” emblazoned over Mr. Trump’s image.

Θ The NFL team owners plan a $3.7 billion dollar stadium in Washington, D.C. prompting Trump to urge that the new stadium should be named after him saying. “That would be beautiful.”

Θ Japanese Prime Minister announced she will nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after he visited Japan. Trump has asserted the right to the award by citing his claim that he has helped end “seven wars while president,” which is disputed.  After he was snubbed from getting the award this year, he made the claim that:  “The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called today, called me and said, I’m accepting this in honor of you, because you really deserved it. A very nice thing to do.”

Θ Bills pending in Congress at his urging seek to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after him, and the center’s opera house after his wife, Melania Trump.

Θ  In 2020 Trump visited Mount Rushmore where urged his face be added to president’s George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This, despite a lack of available carving space and expert warnings about geological and engineering challenges.

Θ  At his suggestion, federal legislation was introduced to rename the Washington Dulles International Airport (Virginia) as the “Donald J. Trump International Airport.”

Θ White House officials are using the name of the new wing, “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom,” although President Trump has denied that this is the plan.

In addition to all the renaming of structures and events after Donald Trump, he also supports and benefits from the proceeds of the sale of a variety of objects bearing his name, including:

• The “God Bless the USA” Trump Bible that was printed in China at $3.00 per Bible and sold in America for $60.00 each.

• A licensed watch bearing Trump’s name and signature at a premium price

• Limited‑Edition MAGA Hat: A “Make America Great Again” type hat sold at Trump’s official store.

• A gold Trump Pen & Case Set branded with Trump’s name.

• Trump Water‑Resistant Color Block Jacket: Outerwear with Trump branding from his official store.

• Trump Golf Ball set of three golf balls with Trump branding on them.

• Trump “45‑47” Snow Globe: Collectible snow globe with Trump’s name and the numbers “45-47”.

• Trump 2028 Hat: A campaign-style hat supporting a future (2028) Trump campaign.

These are only some of the examples of  insatiable need of Donald Trump for praise, glorification  and public tribute. His world circulates only around one person – him. For all of our welfare, let us remember the words on our American money: In God we Trust.”