Aesop was an ancient Greek fabulist of possibly African descent (his Greek name means Ethiopian or black man in today’s parlance), by tradition a slave who credited the African goddess Isis for his gift. Aesop’s Fables are still taught as moral lessons and used as subjects for various entertainments, especially children’s plays and cartoons.
Aesop Quotes
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
Persuasion is often more effectual than force.
The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin.
It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.
It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
Slow but steady wins the race.
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance.
Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.
Appearances are often deceiving.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Adventure is worthwhile.
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
After all is said and done, more is said than done.
Please all, and you will please none.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.
Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.
Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.
He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.
Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.
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.
The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.
People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.
A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
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.
It is with our passions as it is with fire and water, they are good servants, but bad masters.
Plodding wins the race.
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.
It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
The gods help them that help themselves.
Self-conceit may lead to self destruction.
Example is the best precept.
Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.
He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own.
Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction.
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.
Familiarity breeds contempt.