Aesop 620-560 BC

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

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

Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.

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

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

Appearances are deceptive.

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

Please all, and you will please none.

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

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

Enemies promises were made to be broken.

There once was a Bald Man who sat down after work on a hot summer's day. A Fly came up and kept buzzing about his bald pate, and stinging him from time to time. The Man aimed a blow at his little enemy, but - whack - his palm come on his own head instead; again the Fly tormented him, but this time the Man was wiser and said: ''You will only injure yourself if you take notice of dispicable enemies.

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

Example is the best precept.

A farmer who had a quarrelsome family called his sons and told them to lay a bunch of sticks before him. Then, after laying the sticks parallel to one another and binding them, he challenged his sons, one after one, to pick up the bundle and break it. They all tried, but in vain. Then, untying the bundle, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father, Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for anything, but differ and separate, and you are undone.

The injuries we do and the injuries we suffer are seldom weighed on the same scales.

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

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

Plodding wins the race.

Obscurity brings safety.

The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.

Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.

Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing.

Slow and steady wins the race.

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

It is easy to be brave when far away from danger.

Little by little does the trick.

In union there is strength.

Wealth unused might as well not exist.

We would often be sorry if our wishes were granted.

Little friends may prove great friends.

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

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

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.

Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.