Famous Aesop Quotes

Androcles A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
-- Aesop

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
-- Aesop

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
-- Aesop

Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.
-- Aesop

Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
-- Aesop

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

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

Enemies promises were made to be broken.
-- Aesop

Example is the best precept.
-- Aesop

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

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

Hercules and the Wagoner A CARTER was driving a wagon along a country lane, when the wheels sank down deep into a rut. The rustic driver, stupefied and aghast, stood looking at the wagon, and did nothing but utter loud cries to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it is said, appeared and thus addressed him: Put your shoulders to the wheels, my man. Goad on your bullocks, and never more pray to me for help, until you have done your best to help yourself, or depend upon it you will henceforth pray in vain. Self-help is the best help.
-- Aesop

In union there is strength.
-- Aesop

In union there is strength.
-- Aesop

In union there is strength.
-- Aesop

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.
-- Aesop

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
-- Aesop

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
-- Aesop

It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.
-- Aesop

Jupiter and the Monkey Jupiter issued a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest and promised a royal reward to the one whose offspring should be deemed the handsomest. The Monkey came with the rest and presented, with all a mother's tenderness, a flat-nosed, hairless, ill-featured young Monkey as a candidate for the promised reward. A general laugh saluted her on the presentation of her son. She resolutely said, I know not whether Jupiter will allot the prize to my son, but this I do know, that he is at least in the eyes of me his mother, the dearest, handsomest, and most beautiful of all.
-- Aesop