[General] What does the story mean?

[ZaraCastle]

Hi everybody,

I have a fable story and want to get your opinions about this.

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, Palatino, Book Antiqua, Ariel]AN ASS, being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and
bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act
of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail,
endeavoring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his
effort, the man let him go and said, "Conquer, but conquer to
your cost."


What does the last sentence in the quotes mean?

Does it mean that he should overcome himself first before he wants to do something else?

Thanks very much.
[/FONT]

 

[allenman]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, Palatino, Book Antiqua, Ariel]"Conquer, but conquer to
your cost."[/FONT]

Ok, a couple of things. First, I do not know this fable so I have to make some assumptions.

Second, I think there is a mistake in the last sentence. I think it should be "[FONT=Comic Sans MS, Palatino, Book Antiqua, Ariel]Conquer, but conquer AT your cost."
[/FONT]
To me this now means, that the owner is telling the donkey (ass), that he (the donkey) can do what he wants when he is not working for the owner, but while he is working he must do what he is told to do.

We typically say "do it AT your cost" to mean, do it when it does not affect me!

I am not a teacher -- just a native

 

[5jj]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS, Palatino, Book Antiqua, Ariel]AN ASS, being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail, endeavoring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his effort, the man let him go and said, "Conquer, but conquer to your cost."

What does the last sentence in the quotes mean?
[/FONT]

The donkey will be successful in its struggle agains the man, but will die as a result. So, the last sentence means, "You will win this struggle, but you will pay a heavy price for your victory".

 

[ZaraCastle]

The donkey will be successful in its struggle agains the man, but will die as a result. So, the last sentence means, "You will win this struggle, but you will pay a heavy price for your victory".

So if I write this sentence in a full format, I can write as below?

You can conquer but it will probably conquer to/at your cost.

Does the first "conquer" mean that "You can do as your will" and the second one mean that "you would probably pay for your life"?
By the way, which preposition should accompanies "conquer" (to or at?). Thanks your answer.