Aesop Quotes

A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.

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.

In critical moments even the very powerful have need of the weakest.

If you choose bad companions, no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself.

Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find-nothing.

No argument, no matter how convincing, will give courage to a coward

It is with our Passions, as it is with Fire and Water, they are 'Good Servants,' but 'Bad Masters.'

It is easier to become entangled with an enemy than to disentangle oneself afterwards.

It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.

Try as one may, it is impossible to deny one's nature

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.

Being a good example teaches others to be good.

Never trust advice from a man in the throes of his own difficulty.

He that has many friends, has no friends.

Familiarity gives rise to contempt.

If you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do you fawn on me?

Obscurity brings safety.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

You will only injure yourself if you take notice of despicable enemies.

The strong and the weak cannot keep company.

Plodding wins the race.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Better to die once and for all, than live in continual terror.

Conceit may bring about one's own downfall.

Kindness effects more than severity.

Self-conceit may lead to self destruction.

Great determination can overcome most odds.

It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.

Uninvited guests are often most welcome when they leave

He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.

If you wish me well, do not stand pitying me, but lend me some succour as fast as you can; for pity is but cold comfort when one is up to the chin in water, and within a hair's breadth of starving or drowning.

Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.

Appearances are often deceiving.

If you are wise you won't be deceived by the innocent airs of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.

I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath.

The more you want, the more you stand to lose

A man is known by the company he keeps

You can fool people some of the time, but you can't fool them all of the time.

Straw shows which way the wind is blowing.

In union there is strength.

Bad as any government may be, it is seldom worse than anarchy.

We often despise what is most useful to us.

The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own.

Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.

Obscurity often brings safety.