Aesop Quotes

Every man carries Two Bags about with him, one in front and one behind, and both are packed full of faults. The Bag in front contains his neighbours’ faults, the one behind his own. Hence it is that men do not see their own faults, but never fail to see those of others.

"The Astronomer

AN ASTRONOMER used to go out at night to observe the stars. One evening, as he wandered through the suburbs with his whole attention fixed on the sky, he fell accidentally into a deep well. While he lamented and bewailed his sores and bruises, and cried loudly for help, a neighbor ran to the well, and learning what had happened said: "Hark ye, old fellow, why, in striving to pry into what is in heaven, do you not manage to see what is on earth?

If these town gods can't detect the thieves who steal from their own temples, it's hardly likely they'll tell me who stole my spade.

Those who strive are often watched by others who will take advantage of their defeat to benefit themselves.

Appearances often are deceiving.

I can never be your friend because of my lost tail, nor you mine because of your lost child.

We tend to underestimate the small things about ourselves that are often our most valuable attributes.

...convinced that in trying to please all, he had pleased none, and had lost his ass into the bargain.

Kindness is thrown away upon the evil.

Those who will not work deserve to starve.

This fable shows that ornaments of the spirit are preferable to a beautiful body.

Enemies' promises were made to be broken.

Every person, according to an ancient legend, is born into the world with two bags suspended from their neck: all bags in front full of their neighbors’ faults, and a large bag behind filled with his own faults. Hence it is that people are quick to see the faults of others, and yet are often blind to their own failings.

"The Wolf And The Lamb WOLF, meeting with a Lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find some plea to justify to the Lamb the Wolf's right to eat him. He thus addressed him: "Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me." "Indeed," bleated the Lamb in a mournful tone of voice, "I was not then born." Then said the Wolf, "You feed in my pasture." "No, good sir," replied the Lamb, "I have not yet tasted grass." Again said the Wolf, "You drink of my well." "No," exclaimed the Lamb, "I never yet drank water, for as yet my mother's milk is both food and drink to me." Upon which the Wolf seized him and ate him up, saying, "Well! I won't remain supperless, even though you refute every one of my imputations." The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny."

It's no use your regretting the past. Fortune has many ups and downs: you must just take them as they come.