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
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
—Aesop
Topics: Expectation
The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
—Aesop
Topics: One liners, Unhappiness, Fortune, Misfortunes
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.
—Aesop
Example is the best precept.
—Aesop
Topics: Example
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop
Topics: Kindness
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.
—Aesop
Topics: Enemies
Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.
—Aesop
Topics: Adversity
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.
—Aesop
Topics: Respect, Respectability, Power
Man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.
—Aesop
A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
—Aesop
Topics: Stress, Anxiety
Obscurity brings safety.
—Aesop
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
A farmer who had a quarrelsome family called his sons and told them to lay a bunch of sticks before him. Then, after laying the sticks parallel to one another and binding them, he challenged his sons, one after one, to pick up the bundle and break it. They all tried, but in vain. Then, untying the bundle, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father, Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for anything, but differ and separate, and you are undone.
—Aesop
Topics: Family
The injuries we do, and those we suffer, are seldom weighed in the same scales.
—Aesop
It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
—Aesop
Topics: Brave, Bravery, Courage
While I see many hoof marks going in, I see none coming out. It is easier to get into the enemy’s toils than out again
—Aesop
Topics: Welfare
In union, there is strength.
—Aesop
Topics: Unity, Teamwork
Enemies’ promises were made to be broken.
—Aesop
Topics: Enemy, Enemies
Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.
—Aesop
Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.
—Aesop
United we stand; divided we fall.
—Aesop
Little friends may prove great friends.
—Aesop
Topics: Friendship
Familiarity breeds contempt.
—Aesop
Topics: Familiarity, Knowledge
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
Fine feathers make fine birds.
—Aesop
It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
—Aesop
Topics: Prayer
Appearances are deceptive.
—Aesop
Topics: Appearance
We often give our enemies the means to our own destruction.
—Aesop
Topics: Enemies, War
Appearances often are deceiving.
—Aesop
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Pythagoras Greek Philosopher
- Epictetus Ancient Greek Philosopher
- Plotinus Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mystic
- Epicurus Greek Philosopher
- Jerome Greek Priest
- Aristotle Onassis Greek Shipping Magnate
- John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople
- Hesiod Greek Poet
- Nikos Kazantzakis Greek Novelist, Statesman
- Euripides Ancient Greek Dramatist
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