Quotes by Fabulists - Page 2

It has been die providence of nature to give this creature nine lives instead of one.
Pilpay
Better a living beggar than a buried emperor.
Jean de La Fontaine
Even if misfortune is only good for bringing a fool to his senses it would still be just to deem it good for something.
Jean de La Fontaine
An oak and a reed were arguing about their strength. When a strong wind came up the reed avoided being uprooted by bending and leaning with the gusts of wind. But the oak stood firm and was torn up by the roots.
Aesop
Never sell the bear's skin before one has killed the beast.
Jean de La Fontaine
The haft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagles own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction.
Aesop
Sadness flies away on the wings of time.
Jean de La Fontaine
Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool
Aesop
He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own.
Aesop
Much wants more and loses all.
Aesop
United you will be more than a match for your enemies. But if you quarrel and separate, your weakness will put you at the mercy of those who attack you.
Aesop
I don't mind having to die now, for I see that he is the cause of my death is about to share the same fate.
Aesop
The Sun is bad enough even while he is single, drying up our marshes with his heat as he does. But what will become of us if he marries and and begets other suns?
Aesop
Nothing weighs on us so heavily as a secret.
Jean de La Fontaine
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
I thought these grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour.
Aesop
The value is in the worth, not in the number.
Aesop
Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many obligations.
Aesop
Do not waste your pity on a scamp.
Aesop
All men are more concerned to recover what they lose than to acquire what they lack.
Aesop
Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.
Aesop
It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard.
Aesop
An Ass put on a Lion's skin and wentAbout the foreset with much merriment,Scaring the foolish beasts by brooks and rocks,Till at last he tried to scare the Fox. But Reynard, hearing from beneath the mane That Raucous voice so petulant and vain,Remarked. O' Ass, I too would run away,But that I know your old familiar bray'.That's just the way with asses, just the way.
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
Everyone calls himself a friend, but only a fool relies on it: nothing is commoner than the name, nothing rarer than the thing.
Jean de La Fontaine
Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.
Aesop
Everyone believes very easily whatever he fears or desires.
Jean de La Fontaine
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Aesop
Betray a friend, and you'll often find you have ruined yourself.
Aesop
Once a wolf, always a wolf.
Aesop
No one believes a liar even when he tells the truth
Aesop
Rien ne sert de courir il faut partir à point
Jean de La Fontaine
...convinced that in trying to please all, he had pleased none, and had lost his ass into the bargain.
Aesop
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
Aesop
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop