aesop Archives

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 associated with him are characterized by anthropomorphic animal characters.

Scattered details of Aesop’s life can be found in ancient sources, including Aristotle, Herodotus, and Plutarch.

List of quotes

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

Plodding wins the race.

Please all, and you will please none.

Persuasion is often more effectual than force.

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.

Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.

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

Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.

United we stand, divided we fall.

It is with our passions as it is with fire and water, they are good servants, but bad masters.

Self-conceit may lead to self destruction.

Slow but steady wins the race.

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance.

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

The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.

The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.

The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.

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

It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.

We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction.

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

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

It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.

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

Appearances are often deceiving.

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

After all is said and done, more is said than done.

Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.

Adventure is worthwhile.

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.

The gods help them that help themselves.

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin.

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

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

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

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

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Example is the best precept.

Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.

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.

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.