Aesop Quotes

An oak and a reed were arguing about their strength. When a strong wind came up the reed avoided being uprooted by bending and leaning with the gusts of wind. But the oak stood firm and was torn up by the roots.

United you will be more than a match for your enemies. But if you quarrel and separate, your weakness will put you at the mercy of those who attack you.

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

After the rain cometh the fair weather.

A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.

An Ass put on a Lion's skin and wentAbout the foreset with much merriment,Scaring the foolish beasts by brooks and rocks,Till at last he tried to scare the Fox. But Reynard, hearing from beneath the mane That Raucous voice so petulant and vain,Remarked. O' Ass, I too would run away,But that I know your old familiar bray'.That's just the way with asses, just the way.

He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own.

The haft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagles own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction.

Little by little does the trick.

Plodding wins the race.

Be content with your lot one cannot be first in everything.

He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.

The value is in the worth, not in the number.

Much wants more and loses all.

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

Do not waste your pity on a scamp.

...convinced that in trying to please all, he had pleased none, and had lost his ass into the bargain.

I thought these grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

I don't mind having to die now, for I see that he is the cause of my death is about to share the same fate.

Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.

Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many obligations.

All men are more concerned to recover what they lose than to acquire what they lack.

It is vain to expect our prayers to be heard if we do not strive as well as pray.

Once a wolf, always a wolf.

No one believes a liar even when he tells the truth

The Sun is bad enough even while he is single, drying up our marshes with his heat as he does. But what will become of us if he marries and and begets other suns?

It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard.

Kindness affects more than severity.

Betray a friend, and you'll often find you have ruined yourself.

Though this may be play to you Tis death to us.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.

Injuries may be forgiven but not forgotten.

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

The injury we do and the one we suffer are not weighed in the same scales.

Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.

Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool

Don't let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth - don't let that get swallowed up by the great chewing complacency.