The Hammer and the Anvil

Once the hammer said to the anvil, "I can strike harder than you can bear."

The anvil replied, "I can bear harder than you can strike; try!"

The hammer redoubled its energy, and the anvil was as firm as ever.

"Hold on, gentlemen!" said the iron that had got between the two, "the world gains by it."

"Quite right," said the furnace, in its own abrupt style; "vie and win; competition is the secret of the world's success."