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Aesop Quotes

Aesop was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop's Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. Many of the tales are characterized by animals and inanimate objects that speak, solve problems, and generally have human characteristics.

Scattered details of Aesop's life can be found in ancient sources, including Aristotle, Herodotus, and Plutarch. An ancient literary work called The Aesop Romance tells an episodic, probably highly fictional version of his life, including the traditional description of him as a strikingly ugly slave who by his cleverness acquires freedom and becomes an adviser to kings and city-states. Older spellings of his name have included Esop and Isope. Depictions of Aesop in popular culture over the last 2500 years have included many works of art and his appearance as a character in numerous books, films, plays, and television programs. Wikipedia  

✵ 620 BC – 564 BC  •  Other names Aisópos Ezop
Aesop photo

Works

The Lion and the Mouse
The Fox and the Grapes
Aesop: 36 quotes21 likes

Famous Aesop Quotes

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

Aesop book The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse.
Variant: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

“Appearances often are deceiving.”

Aesop

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.

“Any excuse will serve a tyrant.”

Aesop book The Wolf and the Lamb

The Wolf and the Lamb.

“Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction.”

Aesop book The Frog and the Ox

The Frog and the Ox.

Aesop Quotes

“Familiarity breeds contempt.”

Aesop book The Fox and the Lion

The Fox and the Lion.
Variant: Acquaintance softens prejudices.

“Be careful of rich and powerful men for they will do nothing for your sake.”

Aesop

The Greediest Man On Earth.

“Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.”

Aesop

The Fox and the Goat.

“It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.”

Aesop book The Wolf and the Kid

The Wolf and the Kid.

“Don't cry over spilt milk.”

Aesop

The Milkmaid and Her Pail.

“Spot the falsehood of history and find out the truth.”

Aesop

The Spartan Lies.

“The fly sat upon the axel-tree of the chariot-wheel and said, 'What a dust do I raise!”

Aesop

The Fly on the Wheel.

“Better no rule than cruel rule.”

Aesop book Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables

“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.”

Aesop

The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts.

“I am sure the grapes are sour.”

Aesop book The Fox and the Grapes

The Fox and the Grapes.

“Put your shoulder to the wheel.”

Aesop

Hercules and the Wagoner.

“I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath.”

Aesop book The Satyr and the Traveller

The Man and the Satyr.

“The boy cried "Wolf, wolf!" and the villagers came out to help him.”

Aesop

The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf.

“Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.”

Aesop

The Milkmaid and Her Pail.

“Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.”

Aesop

The Lion, The Ass, And The Fox Hunting.

“Any number of lies will serve a rich and evil man.”

Aesop

The Evil Liar.

“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.”

Aesop book The Eagle and the Arrow

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.”

Aesop

The Goose with the Golden Eggs.

“Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing.”

Aesop

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.

“Slow and steady wins the race.”

Aesop book The Tortoise and the Hare

The Hare and the Tortoise.

“A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.”

Aesop book The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.

“Enemies' promises were made to be broken.”

Aesop

The Nurse and the Wolf http://books.google.com/books?id=5llsEPwcG2wC&q=%22promises+were+made+to+be+broken%22&pg=PA109#v=onepage, as translated by Joseph Jacobs (1894).

“Union gives strength.”

Aesop book The Old Man and his Sons

The Bundle of Sticks. <br class="br">Source: Aleksandr Panayotov Aleksandrov (2021) cited in &quot; Bulgarian cosmonaut urges international cooperation for Mars, Moon missions https://www.reuters.com/article/bulgaria-cosmonauts-idUSL8N21T1Z6&quot; on Reuters, 11 April 2019.

“Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.”

Aesop

The Dog and the Shadow.

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

Aesop

Juno and the Peacock.

“It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.”

Aesop book The Jay and the Peacock

The Jay and the Peacock.

“We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.”

Aesop book The Old Man and Death

The Old Man and Death.

“Persuasion is often more effectual than force.”

Aesop

The Wind and the Sun.

“The gods help them that help themselves.”

Aesop

Hercules and the Wagoner.

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