Quotes from Aesop’s Fables

24 notable lines from Aesop · c. 560 BCE

Slow and steady wins the race.

The Tortoise and the Hare (moral)

Quotations follow the Robert Temple translation (Penguin Classics, 1998) — our recommended edition.

  1. Slow but steady wins the race.

    Moral, The Hare and the Tortoise · trans. Townsend

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

    Moral, The Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf · trans. Jacobs

  3. The grapes are probably sour anyway.

    The Fox and the Grapes (paraphrased)

  4. Necessity is the mother of invention.

    Moral, The Crow and the Pitcher · trans. Townsend

  5. Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

    Moral, The Milkmaid and Her Pail · trans. Jacobs

  6. Familiarity breeds contempt.

    The Fox and the Lion (moral)

  7. It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

    Moral, The Fox and the Grapes · trans. Jacobs

  8. Greed oft o'er reaches itself.

    Moral, The Goose With the Golden Eggs · trans. Jacobs

  9. Appearances are deceptive.

    Moral, The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing · trans. Jacobs

  10. Little friends may prove great friends.

    Moral, The Lion and the Mouse · trans. Jacobs

  11. It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

    Moral, The Ant and the Grasshopper · trans. Jacobs

  12. Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and bluster fail.

    Moral, The North Wind and the Sun · trans. Aesop for Children (Milo Winter, 1919)

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

    Moral, The Dog and the Shadow · trans. Jacobs

  14. Little by little does the trick.

    Moral, The Crow and the Pitcher · trans. Jacobs

  15. Union gives strength.

    Moral, The Bundle of Sticks · trans. Jacobs

  16. Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

    Moral, The Wolf and the Lamb · trans. Jacobs

  17. Don't make much ado about nothing.

    Moral, The Mountain in Labour · trans. Townsend

  18. Better no rule than cruel rule.

    Moral, The Frogs Desiring a King · trans. Jacobs

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

    Moral, The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

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

    Moral, The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox Hunting

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

    Moral, Juno and the Peacock

  22. Equals make the best friends.

    Moral, The Two Pots · trans. Townsend

  23. Harm seek, harm find.

    Moral, The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing · trans. Townsend