Aesop

(c. 620BC - 560BC) Greek story-teller

Sourced:

• "A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety."
  • Source: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

• "Any excuse will serve a tyrant."
  • Source: The Wolf and the Lamb

• "Appearances often are deceiving."
  • Source: The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

• "Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything."
  • Source: Juno and the Peacock

• "Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow."
  • Source: The Dog and the Shadow

• "Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing."
  • Source: The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

• "Don't cry over spilt milk."
  • Source: The Milkmaid and Her Pail (?)

• "Familiarity breeds contempt."
  • Source: The Fox and the Lion

• "I am sure the grapes are sour."
  • Source: The Fox and the Grapes

• "I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath."
  • Source: The Man and the Satyr

• "In critical moments even the very powerful have need of the weakest."
  • Source: The Lion and the Mouse

• "It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow."
  • Source: The Ant and the Grasshopper

• "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."
  • Source: The Jay and the Peacock

• "People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves."
  • Source: The Dog in the Manger

• "Persuasion is often more effectual than force."
  • Source: The Wind and the Sun

• "Put your shoulder to the wheel."
  • Source: Hercules and the Wagoner

• "Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction."
  • Source: The Frog and the Ox

• "Slow and steady wins the race."
  • Source: The Hare and the Tortoise

• "The gods help them that help themselves."
  • Source: Hercules and the Wagoner

• "The shaft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle's own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction."
  • Source: The Eagle and the Arrow

• "Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find - nothing."
  • Source: The Goose with the Golden Eggs

• "Union gives strength."
  • Source: The Bundle of Sticks

• "While I see many hoof marks going in, I see none coming out. It is easier to get into the enemy's toils than out again."
  • Source: The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts

• "We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified."
  • Source: The Old Man and Death

Attributed:

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

• "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched."

• "It is easy to be brave from a safe distance."

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

• "Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties."

• "The smaller the mind the greater the conceit."

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

• "What a splendid head, yet no brain."