Aesop (c. 620BC - 560BC) Greek story-teller
Sourced:
- "A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety."
- Source: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
- "Any excuse will serve a tyrant."
- Source: The Wolf and the Lamb
- "Appearances often are deceiving."
- Source: The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
- "Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything."
- Source: Juno and the Peacock
- "Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow."
- Source: The Dog and the Shadow
- "Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing."
- Source: The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
- "Don't cry over spilt milk."
- Source: The Milkmaid and Her Pail (?)
- "Familiarity breeds contempt."
- Source: The Fox and the Lion
- "I am sure the grapes are sour."
- Source: The Fox and the Grapes
- "I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath."
- Source: The Man and the Satyr
- "In critical moments even the very powerful have need of the weakest."
- Source: The Lion and the Mouse
- "It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow."
- Source: The Ant and the Grasshopper
- "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."
- Source: The Jay and the Peacock
- "People often grudge others when they cannot enjoy themselves."
- Source: The Dog in the Manger
- "Persuasion is often more effectual than force."
- Source: The Wind and the Sun
- "Put your shoulder to the wheel."
- Source: Hercules and the Wagoner
- "Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction."
- Source: The Frog and the Ox
- "Slow and steady wins the race."
- Source: The Hare and the Tortoise
- "The gods help them that help themselves."
- Source: Hercules and the Wagoner
- "The shaft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle's own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction."
- Source: The Eagle and the Arrow
- "Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find - nothing."
- Source: The Goose with the Golden Eggs
- "Union gives strength."
- Source: The Bundle of Sticks
- "While I see many hoof marks going in, I see none coming out. It is easier to get into the enemy's toils than out again."
- Source: The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts
- "We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified."
- Source: The Old Man and Death
Attributed:
- "Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own."
- "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
- "It is easy to be brave from a safe distance."
- "It is with our passions, as it is with fire and water, they are good servants but bad masters."
- "Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties."
- "The smaller the mind the greater the conceit."
- "We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office."
- "What a splendid head, yet no brain."
External links
Last updated: 10-26-2005 03:52:15