Aesop (c. 620–c. 564 BCE) was a 6th century BCE 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 best known as the assumed author of the whole stock of Greek fables that are some of the most enduringly prevalent works of Ancient Greek literature. Aesop’s fables first became known to the West duing 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 masters by means of his new gift of the gab.
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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
Please all, and you will please none.
—Aesop
Topics: Praise, Pleasing
Familiarity breeds contempt.
—Aesop
Topics: Knowledge, Familiarity
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
Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.
—Aesop
Little friends may prove great friends.
—Aesop
Topics: Friendship
It is easy to be brave when far away from danger.
—Aesop
Topics: Risk, Danger
I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath.
—Aesop
Slow and steady wins the race.
—Aesop
Topics: Perseverance, Endurance, Resolve, Patience
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.
—Aesop
Topics: Power
Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.
—Aesop
Example is the best precept.
—Aesop
Topics: Example
United we stand; divided we fall.
—Aesop
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop
Topics: Kindness
It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
—Aesop
Topics: Prayer
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.
—Aesop
The injuries we do, and those we suffer, are seldom weighed in the same scales.
—Aesop
Appearances often are deceiving.
—Aesop
Man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.
—Aesop
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
—Aesop
Topics: One liners
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
—Aesop
Topics: Expectation
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.
—Aesop
Topics: Character, Appearance
In union, there is strength.
—Aesop
Fine feathers make fine birds.
—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
People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.
—Aesop
A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
—Aesop
Topics: Anxiety, Stress
The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.
—Aesop
Only cowards insult dying majesty.
—Aesop
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