Aesop Quotes

After all is said and done, more is said than done. 
Aesop 

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

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

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

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

United we stand, divided we fall. 
Aesop

Please all, and you will please none. 
Aesop 

A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety. 
Aesop 

Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either. 
Aesop 

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 

Appearances are often deceiving. 
Aesop 

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

Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing. 
Aesop 

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

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten. 
Aesop 

Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in. 
Aesop 

Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin. 
Aesop 

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. 
Aesop 

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

Adventure is worthwhile. 
Aesop 

Example is the best precept. 
Aesop 

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

Any excuse will serve a tyrant. 
Aesop 

The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. 
Aesop 

Slow but steady wins the race. 
Aesop 

Familiarity breeds contempt. 
Aesop 

It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow. 
Aesop 

People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves. 
Aesop 

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. 
Aesop 

He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another. 
Aesop 

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

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth. 
Aesop 

Plodding wins the race. 
Aesop 

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

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified. 
Aesop 

The gods help them that help themselves. 
Aesop 

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs. 
Aesop 

Self-conceit may lead to self destruction. 
Aesop 

Persuasion is often more effectual than force. 
Aesop


Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.
Aesop 

The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
Aesop 

We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction.
Aesop 

We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance.
Aesop 

The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.
Aesop 

It is with our passions as it is with fire and water, they are good servants, but bad masters.
Aesop 

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

The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
Aesop 

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.
Aesop 

Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Aesop 

Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
Aesop

Aeschylus Quotes

He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. 
Aeschylus 

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship. 
Aeschylus 

He who goes unenvied shall not be admired. 
Aeschylus 

But time growing old teaches all things. 
Aeschylus 

There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief. 
Aeschylus

From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow. 
Aeschylus 

Memory is the mother of all wisdom. 
Aeschylus 

Call no man happy till he is dead. 
Aeschylus 

Obedience is the mother of success and is wedded to safety. 
Aeschylus 

Whenever a man makes haste, God too hastens with him. 
Aeschylus 

For the poison of hatred seated near the heart doubles the burden for the one who suffers the disease; he is burdened with his own sorrow, and groans on seeing another's happiness. 
Aeschylus 

It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered. 
Aeschylus 

God's most lordly gift to man is decency of mind. 
Aeschylus 

For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight. 
Aeschylus 

The words of truth are simple. 
Aeschylus 

Of prosperity mortals can never have enough. 
Aeschylus 

What good is it to live a life that brings pains? 
Aeschylus 

Of all the gods only death does not desire gifts. 
Aeschylus 

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times. 
Aeschylus 

In the lack of judgment great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house. 
Aeschylus 

Neither a life of anarchy nor one beneath a despot should you praise; to all that lies in the middle a god has given excellence. 
Aeschylus 

Time brings all things to pass. 
Aeschylus 

Everyone's quick to blame the alien. 
Aeschylus 

Destiny waits alike for the free man as well as for him enslaved by another's might. 
Aeschylus 

Ah, lives of men! When prosperous they glitter - Like a fair picture; when misfortune comes - A wet sponge at one blow has blurred the painting. 
Aeschylus 

And one who is just of his own free will shall not lack for happiness; and he will never come to utter ruin. 
Aeschylus 

I have learned to hate all traitors, and there is no disease that I spit on more than treachery. 
Aeschylus 

To mourn and bewail your ill-fortune, when you will gain a tear from those who listen, this is worth the trouble. 
Aeschylus 

It is best for the wise man not to seem wise. 
Aeschylus 

The wisest of the wise may err. 
Aeschylus 

It is always in season for old men to learn. 
Aeschylus 

God loves to help him who strives to help himself. 
Aeschylus 

Wisdom comes alone through suffering. 
Aeschylus 

In every tyrant's heart there springs in the end this poison, that he cannot trust a friend. 
Aeschylus 

It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish. 
Aeschylus 

The one knowing what is profitable, and not the man knowing many things, is wise. 
Aeschylus 

Unions in wedlock are perverted by the victory of shameless passion that masters the female among men and beasts. 
Aeschylus 

A god implants in mortal guilt whenever he wants utterly to confound a house. 
Aeschylus 

By polluting clear water with slime you will never find good drinking water. 
Aeschylus 

Don't you know this, that words are doctors to a diseased temperment? 
Aeschylus


Be bold and boast, just like the cock beside the hen.
Aeschylus 

The anvil of justice is planted firm, and fate who makes the sword does the forging in advance.
Aeschylus 

When strength is yoked with justice, where is a mightier pair than they?
Aeschylus 

There are times when fear is good. It must keep its watchful place at the heart's controls.
Aeschylus 

It is an easy thing for one whose foot is on the outside of calamity to give advice and to rebuke the sufferer.
Aeschylus 

I know how men in exile feed on dreams.
Aeschylus

It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted.
Aeschylus 

Who, except the gods, can live time through forever without any pain?
Aeschylus 

The man whose authority is recent is always stern.
Aeschylus 

There is no sickness worse for me than words that to be kind must lie.
Aeschylus 

When a match has equal partners then I fear not.
Aeschylus 

It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath.
Aeschylus 

Death is softer by far than tyranny.
Aeschylus 

When a man's willing and eager the god's join in.
Aeschylus 

To be free from evil thoughts is God's best gift.
Aeschylus 

I would rather be ignorant than knowledgeable of evils.
Aeschylus 

Words are the physicians of a mind diseased.
Aeschylus 

Too few rejoice at a friend's good fortune.
Aeschylus 

God lends a helping hand to the man who tries hard.
Aeschylus 

Time as he grows old teaches all things.
Aeschylus 

Excessive fear is always powerless.
Aeschylus 

What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest?
Aeschylus 

Only when a man's life comes to its end in prosperity dare we pronounce him happy.
Aeschylus 

Married love between man and woman is bigger than oaths guarded by right of nature.
Aeschylus 

His resolve is not to seem the bravest, but to be.
Aeschylus 

Since long I've held silence a remedy for harm.
Aeschylus 

For a murderous blow let murderous blow atone.
Aeschylus 

We must pronounce him fortunate who has ended his life in fair prosperity.
Aeschylus 

For the impious act begets more after it, like to the parent stock.
Aeschylus 

It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and counsel him that suffers.
Aeschylus 

For somehow this disease inheres in tyranny, never to trust one's friends.
Aeschylus 

You have been trapped in the inescapable net of ruin by your own want of sense.
Aeschylus 

What exists outside is a man's concern; let no woman give advice; and do no mischief within doors.
Aeschylus 

The evils of mortals are manifold; nowhere is trouble of the same wing seen.
Aeschylus 

We shall perish by guile just as we slew.
Aeschylus 

Self-will in the man who does not reckon wisely is by itself the weakest of all things.
Aeschylus 

I willingly speak to those who know, but for those who do not know I forget.
Aeschylus 

I, schooled in misery, know many purifying rites, and I know where speech is proper and where silence.
Aeschylus 

If you pour oil and vinegar into the same vessel, you would call them not friends but opponents.
Aeschylus 

Death is easier than a wretched life; and better never to have born than to live and fare badly.
Aeschylus


For this is the mark of a wise and upright man, not to rail against the gods in misfortune.
Aeschylus 

There is no disgrace in an enemy suffering ill at an enemy's hand, when you hate mutually.
Aeschylus 

Search well and be wise, nor believe that self-willed pride will ever be better than good counsel.
Aeschylus 

By Time and Age full many things are taught.
Aeschylus 

Whoever is new to power is always harsh.
Aeschylus 

Justice turns the scale, bringing to some learning through suffering.
Aeschylus

The man who does ill must suffer ill.
Aeschylus 

It is an ill thing to be the first to bring news of ill.
Aeschylus 

I say you must not win an unjust case by oaths.
Aeschylus 

It is good even for old men to learn wisdom.
Aeschylus 

Mourn for me rather as living than as dead.
Aeschylus 

What atonement is there for blood spilt upon the earth?
Aeschylus 

For hostile word let hostile word be paid.
Aeschylus 

Know not to revere human things too much.
Aeschylus 

For know that no one is free, except Zeus.
Aeschylus 

Bronze in the mirror of the form, wine of the mind.
Aeschylus 

For children preserve the fame of a man after his death.
Aeschylus 

And though all streams flow from a single course to cleanse the blood from polluted hand, they hasten on their course in vain.
Aeschylus 

God always strives together with those who strive.
Aeschylus 

Alas for the affairs of men! When they are fortunate you might compare them to a shadow; and if they are unfortunate, a wet sponge with one dash wipes the picture away.
Aeschylus 

If a man suffers ill, let it be without shame; for this is the only profit when we are dead. You will never say a good word about deeds that are evil and disgraceful.
Aeschylus 

Who apart from the gods is without pain for his whole lifetime's length?
Aeschylus 

My friends, whoever has had experience of evils knows how whenever a flood of ills comes upon mortals, a man fears everything; but whenever a divine force cheers on our voyage, then we believe that the same fate will always blow fair.
Aeschylus