Aesop Quotes, Quotations, and Sayings

158 Famous Quotes by Aesop
“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.”
Enemies Quotes
“Better to starve free than be a fat slave”
Slavery Quotes
“United we stand; divided we fall”
Unity Quotes
“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.”
Value Quotes
“Vices are their own punishment”
Vice Quotes
“Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.”
Misfortune Quotes
“Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.”
Trust Quotes
“In union there is strength.”
Unity Quotes
“Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.”
Contentment Quotes
“It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.”
Courage Quotes
“Only cowards insult dying majesty.”
Cowards Quotes
“Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.”
Danger Quotes
“Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.”
Originality Quotes
“The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.”
Suffering Quotes
“Any excuse will serve a tyrant.”
Tyranny Quotes
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Volunteerism Quotes
“Union gives strength. (The Bundle of Sticks 550 BC).”
Inspirational Quotes
“Any excuse will serve a tyrant.”
Politics / government Quotes
“Enemies promises were made to be broken.”
Politics / government Quotes
“Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.”
Advice / experience / wisdom Quotes
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
All about love Quotes
“Androcles A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.”
Aesop fables Quotes
“The Ant and the Dove AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove take wing. One good turn deserves another.”
Aesop fables Quotes
“The Ants and the Grasshopper THE ANTS were spending a fine winter's day drying grain collected in the summertime. A Grasshopper, perishing with famine, passed by and earnestly begged for a little food. The Ants inquired of him, Why did you not treasure up food during the summer?' He replied, I had not leisure enough. I passed the days in singing. They then said in derision: If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supperless to bed in the winter. It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.”
Aesop fables Quotes
“The Ass and His Driver AN ASS, being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail, endeavoring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his effort, the man let him go and said, Conquer, but conquer to your cost. A willful beast must go his own way.”
Aesop fables Quotes
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