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A farmer who had a quarrelsome family called his sons and told them to lay a bunch of sticks before him. Then, after laying the sticks parallel to one another and binding them, he challenged his sons, one after one, to pick up the bundle and break it. They all tried, but in vain. Then, untying the bundle, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father, Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for anything, but differ and separate, and you are undone.

– Aesop

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Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Familiarity breed contempt.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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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.

– Aesop

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We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

– Aesop

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It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Only cowards insult dying majesty.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Union gives strength.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Example is the best precept.

– Aesop

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It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

– Aesop

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Appearances often are deceiving.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

– Aesop

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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

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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I am sure the grapes are sour.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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Little friends may prove great friends.

– Aesop

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Look before you leap.

– Aesop

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Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.

– Aesop

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Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

– Aesop

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Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.

– Aesop

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People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.

– Aesop

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Persuasion is often more effectual than force.

– Aesop

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Please all, and you will please none.

– Aesop

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Plodding wins the race.

– Aesop

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Put your shoulder to the wheel.

– Aesop

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Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction.

– Aesop

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The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

– Aesop

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The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.

– Aesop

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There is always someone worse off than yourself.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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United we stand, divided we fall.

– Aesop

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

– Aesop

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We should look to the mind, and not to the outward appearance.

– Aesop

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What a splendid head, yet no brain.

– Aesop

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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.

– Aesop

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Bob Sharkey
Wisdom that survives the centuries
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"Aesop Quotes." Quotes.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 4 Mar. 2025. <https://www.quotes.net/authors/Aesop+Quotes>.

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