100 Quotes by Aesop
Aesop was a Greek storyteller who lived in the 6th century BCE and is best known for his collection of fables, which were intended to teach moral lessons through the use of animal characters and allegory. Many of his fables, such as "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," have become widely known and continue to be taught to children today. Aesop's stories often focused on the dangers of greed, dishonesty, and pride, and his simple yet powerful narratives have been influential in shaping Western literature and culture. (Bio)
Aesop Quotes
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth. (Meaning)
It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. (Quote Meaning)
Please all, and you will please none. (Meaning)
Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten. (Quote Meaning)
It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray. (Meaning)
It is with our passions as it is with fire and water, they are good servants, but bad masters. (Quote Meaning)
Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin. (Meaning)
Self-conceit may lead to self destruction. (Quote Meaning)
The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales. (Meaning)
Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in. (Quote Meaning)
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth. (Meaning)
We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance. (Quote Meaning)
People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves. (Meaning)
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified. (Quote Meaning)
Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety. (Meaning)
Familiarity breeds contempt. (Quote Meaning)
Slow but steady wins the race. (Meaning)
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. (Quote Meaning)
Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. (Meaning)
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. (Quote Meaning)
We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction. (Meaning)
Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything. (Quote Meaning)
It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow. (Quote Meaning)
He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own. (Meaning)
United we stand, divided we fall. (Quote Meaning)
Any excuse will serve a tyrant. (Meaning)
If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs. (Quote Meaning)
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. (Meaning)
Put your shoulder to the wheel. (Quote Meaning)
Appearances are often deceiving. (Meaning)
The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. (Quote Meaning)
After all is said and done, more is said than done (Meaning)
Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either. (Quote Meaning)
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own. (Meaning)
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. (Quote Meaning)
Little by little does the trick.
The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. (Meaning)
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. (Quote Meaning)
Those who voluntarily put power into the hands of a tyrant ... must not wonder if it be at last turned against themselves.
The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.
Adversity tests the sincerity of friends
Better to starve free than be a fat slave
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.
The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others. (Meaning)
It is easy to be brave from a safe distance. (Quote Meaning)
Vices are their own punishment
Those who cry the loudest are not always the ones who are hurt the most
Liars often set their own traps.
The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its gratitude.
Facts speak plainer than words
If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all.
It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another. (Meaning)
If you choose bad companions, no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself.
You can fool people some of the time, but you can't fool them all of the time.
Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing. (Quote Meaning)
Don't neglect the future in times of plenty, for tomorrow you may need what you wasted today.
In a crisis, give help first and then advice.
Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties. (Meaning)
Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool
Every man carries two bags about him, one in front and one behind, and both are full of faults. The bag in front contains his neighbors' faults, the one behind his own. Hence it is that men do not see their own faults, but never fail to see those of others.
Always stop to think whether your fun may be the cause of another's unhappiness
Persuasion is often more effectual than force. (Quote Meaning)
Great determination can overcome most odds.
Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.
Once a wolf, always a wolf.
To be well prepared for war is the best guarantee of peace.
Most arguments are useless.
The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.
Kindness is more persuasive than force.
Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous.
Do nothing without regard to the consequences.
The more you want, the more you stand to lose
Obscurity often brings safety.
He is not to be trusted as a friend who illtreats his own family.
Wealth unused might as well not exist.
One who steals has no right to complain if he is robbed.
Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities.
If we really want something done, it is best to do it ourselves.
The gods help them who help themselves.
None but those who work are entitled to eat.
A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety. (Meaning)
― Aesop Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
