Aesop

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

"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. "

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

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

"Any excuse will serve a tyrant. "

"Appearances often are deceiving. "

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

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

"Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear. "

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

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

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

"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. "

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. "

"Familiarity breed contempt. "

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. "

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

"I am sure the grapes are sour. "

"I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath. "

"In critical moments even the very powerful have need of the weakest. "

"It is easier to get into the enemy's toils than out again. "

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

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

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

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

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

"Little friends may prove great friends. "

"Men often applaud an imitation, and hiss the real thing. "

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

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

"Only cowards insult dying majesty. "

"Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth. "

"People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves. "

"Persuasion is often more effectual than force. "

"Please all, and you will please none. "

"Plodding wins the race. "

"Put your shoulder to the wheel. "

"Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction. "

"Slow and steady wins the race. "

"The gods help them that help themselves. "

"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. "

"The smaller the mind the greater the conceit. "

"There is always someone worse off than yourself. "

"Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find - nothing. "

"Union gives strength. "

"United we stand, divided we fall. "

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

"We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction. "

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

"What a splendid head, yet no brain. "

"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. "

"You may share the labours of the great, but you may not share the spoil. "