Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Aesop (Greek Fabulist)

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.

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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

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