ÆSOP OF SARDIS (circa 620–564 BCE) was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop’s Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. Many of the tales associated with him are characterized by anthropomorphic animal characters.
Scattered details of Aesop’s life can be found in ancient sources, including Aristotle, Herodotus, and Plutarch. An ancient literary work called The ÆSOP Romance tells an episodic, probably highly fictional version of his life, including the traditional description of him as a strikingly unattractive slave who, by virtue of his cleverness, acquires freedom and becomes an adviser to kings and city-states. Older spellings of his name have included Esop(e) and Isope. Depictions of Aesop in popular culture over the last 2,500 years have included many works of art and his appearance as a character in numerous books, films, plays, and television programs.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
– Aesop
“Betray a friend, and you’ll often find you have ruined yourself.”
– 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
“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
“We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”
– Aesop
“Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.”
– Aesop
“Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool”
– Aesop
“After all is said and done, more is said than done.”
– Aesop
“If you choose bad companions, no one will believe that you are anything but bad yourself.”
– Aesop
“Those who cry the loudest are not always the ones who are hurt the most”
– Aesop
“A liar will not be believed even when he speaks the truth.”
– Aesop
“It is easy to be brave at a safe distance.”
– Aesop
“Please all, and you will please none.”
– Aesop
“The smaller the mind, the greater the conceit.”
– Aesop
