Aesop
Aesop is famous for his fables: short tales which illustrated truths about life and human nature. Most of his fables feature familiar animals, including "The Grasshopper and the Ant" and "The Tortoise and the Hare." Little is known about the true life of Aesop himself, and some believe that no such person ever really existed. Those who believe Aesop existed generally agree that he lived during the 6th century B.C., lived for some time on the island of Samos, and was for at least part of his life a slave. It's also generally agreed that not all of Aesop's fables were actually created by him; his fame grew so great that many other fables were eventually put in his name. The possibilities for Aesop's birthplace range from what is now southeastern Europe to northern Africa, including Thrace, Lydia and Phryigia (now Turkey).
38 Quotes
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
— Aesop
Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.
— Aesop
Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.
— Aesop
Appearances are deceptive.
— Aesop
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.
— Aesop
Please all, and you will please none.
— Aesop
Union gives strength.
— Aesop
Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.
— Aesop
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
— Aesop
He that is discontented in one place will seldom be content in another.
— Aesop
We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction.
— Aesop
There once was a Bald Man who sat down after work on a hot summer's day. A Fly came up and kept buzzing about his bald pate, and stinging him from time to time. The Man aimed a blow at his little enemy, but - whack - his palm come on his own head instead; again the Fly tormented him, but this time the Man was wiser and said: YOU WILL ONLY INJURE YOURSELF IF YOU TAKE NOTICE OF DISPICABLE ENEMIES.
— Aesop
Enemies promises were made to be broken.
— Aesop
Example is the best precept.
— Aesop
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
— Aesop
A farmer who had a quarrelsome family called his sons and told them to lay a bunch of sticks before him. Then, after laying the sticks parallel to one another and binding them, he challenged his sons, one after one, to pick up the bundle and break it. They all tried, but in vain. Then, untying the bundle, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father, Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for anything, but differ and separate, and you are undone.
— Aesop
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
— Aesop
We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance.
— Aesop
The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
— Aesop
Obscurity brings safety.
— Aesop
Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.
— Aesop
The injuries we do and the injuries we suffer are seldom weighed on the same scales.
— Aesop
Slow and steady wins the race.
— Aesop
Plodding wins the race.
— Aesop
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.
— Aesop
It is easy to be brave when far away from danger.
— Aesop
Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.
— Aesop
Little by little does the trick.
— Aesop
In union there is strength.
— Aesop
Wealth unused might as well not exist.
— Aesop
We would often be sorry if our wishes were granted.
— Aesop
Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find—nothing.
— Aesop
A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
— Aesop
Persuasion is often more effectual than force.
— Aesop
Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
— Aesop
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
— Aesop
I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath.
— Aesop
The fly sat upon the axel-tree of the chariot-wheel and said, What a dust do I raise!
— Aesop