Aesop Quotes

"Demades the orator was once speaking in the Assembly at Athens; but the people were very inattentive to what he was saying, so he stopped and said, "Gentlemen, I should like to tell you one of Aesop's fables." This made every one listen intently. Then Demades began: "Demeter, a Swallow, and an Eel were once travelling together, and came to a river without a bridge: the Swallow flew over it, and the Eel swam across"; and then he stopped. "What happened to Demeter?" cried several people in the audience. "Demeter," he replied, "is very angry with you for listening to fables when you ought to be minding public business.

Those who pretend that they can mend others should first mend themselves, and then they will be more readily believed.

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

Those who will not work deserve to starve.

No one believes a liar even when he tells the truth

The Sun is bad enough even while he is single, drying up our marshes with his heat as he does. But what will become of us if he marries and and begets other suns?

Vices are their own punishment

The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.

Never soar aloft on an enemy's pinions.

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.

Kindness is thrown away upon the evil.

It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

"The Kingdom of the Lion THE BEASTS of the field and forest had a Lion as their king. He was neither wrathful, cruel, nor tyrannical, but just and gentle as a king could be. During his reign he made a royal proclamation for a general assembly of all the birds and beasts, and drew up conditions for a universal league, in which the Wolf and the Lamb, the Panther and the Kid, the Tiger and the Stag, the Dog and the Hare, should live together in perfect peace and amity. The Hare said, "Oh, how I have longed to see this day, in which the weak shall take their place with impunity by the side of the strong." And after the Hare said this, he ran for his life."

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

Perseverance is surer than swiftness.