Aesop (c.620–c.564 BCE) was a Greek fabulist and storyteller. The body of work that has come down to us under his name provides pointers to the culture of the Ancient World.
Aesop is the assumed author of the whole stock of Greek fables that are some of the most enduringly prevalent works of Ancient Greek literature. A rare example of the classical world that has survived, Aesop’s fables have kept children entertained for generations.
Aesop’s fables first became known to the West during the Renaissance by way of the 14th Century prose form composed by the Byzantine scholar Maximus Planudes.
Researchers debate whether Aesop existed at all, but the moral animal fables associated with Aesop were most likely collected from many sources and passed on orally.
According to legend, as in the novel The Aesop Romance (dated to the first or second centuries CE,) Aesop was an unsightly slave who was dumb until granted the power of speech by the Goddess Isis. In stories of his life, he is frequently found outsmarting his master and speaking truth to power employing his new gift of the gab.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Aesop
Union gives strength.
—Aesop
Topics: Cooperation, Help
Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.
—Aesop
Topics: Adversity
Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.
—Aesop
Topics: Safety
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.
—Aesop
Topics: Respect, Respectability, Power
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.
—Aesop
It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
—Aesop
Topics: Brave, Bravery, Courage
Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.
—Aesop
Topics: Foresight, Cooperation, Help
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.
—Aesop
Topics: Appearance, Character
Fine feathers make fine birds.
—Aesop
Vices are their own punishment.
—Aesop
Topics: Vice
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
—Aesop
Topics: Gratitude
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
—Aesop
Topics: Government
Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.
—Aesop
Topics: Gratitude, Blessings, Appreciation
Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin.
—Aesop
Topics: Evil
No Act of Kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop
Topics: Kindness, Work
The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
—Aesop
Topics: One liners, Misfortunes, Unhappiness, Fortune
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
—Aesop
Topics: Expectation
He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.
—Aesop
Topics: Opportunities, Discontent, Reality
Obscurity brings safety.
—Aesop
There once was a bald man who sat down after work on a hot summer’s day. A fly came up and kept buzzing about his bald pate, and stinging him from time to time. The man aimed a blow at his little enemy, but – whack – his palm come on his own head instead; again the fly tormented him, but this time the man was wiser and said: “you will only injure yourself if you take notice of dispicable enemies.”
—Aesop
Topics: Enemy, Enemies
People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.
—Aesop
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
—Aesop
Topics: Excuses
Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.
—Aesop
The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.
—Aesop
The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop
Topics: Imagination
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.
—Aesop
Man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.
—Aesop
In union, there is strength.
—Aesop
Topics: Unity, Teamwork
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
Topics: War
Please all, and you will please none.
—Aesop
Topics: Praise, Pleasing
An oak and a reed were arguing about their strength. When a strong wind came up, the reed avoided being uprooted by bending and leaning with the gusts of wind. But the oak stood firm and was torn up by the roots.
—Aesop
Topics: Acceptance
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
—Aesop
Topics: One liners, Wishes, Success is not everything
It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
—Aesop
Topics: Prayer
The injuries we do, and those we suffer, are seldom weighed in the same scales.
—Aesop
Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.
—Aesop
We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance.
—Aesop
Topics: The Mind, Mind
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
—Aesop
Topics: Misfortune
Slow and steady wins the race.
—Aesop
Topics: Resolve, Endurance, Patience, Perseverance
Plodding wins the race.
—Aesop
Topics: Endurance, Resolve, Perseverance
It is easy to be brave when far away from danger.
—Aesop
Topics: Danger, Risk
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