Aesop's Fables — Aesop

Aesop's Fables

Aesop · Άδεια: Public domain · Πηγή

• A HOUND started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying "The little one is the best runner of the two." The Hound replied, "You do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life." ¶382
• Everyone is more or less master of his own fate. ¶385
• A SHEPHERD penning his sheep in the fold for the night was about to shut up a wolf with them, when his Dog perceiving the wolf said, "Master, how can you expect the sheep to be safe if you admit a wolf into the fold?" ¶389
• The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass ¶392
• Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others. ¶394
• The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter ¶395
• THE WOODCUTTER cut down a Mountain Oak and split it in pieces, making wedges of its own branches for dividing the trunk. The Oak said with a sigh, "I do not care about the blows of the axe aimed at my roots, but I do grieve at being torn in pieces by these wedges made from my own branches." ¶398
• Misfortunes springing from ourselves are the hardest to bear. ¶399
• Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes. ¶404
• Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous. ¶407
• Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness. ¶412
• A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day. She often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen a double allowance of barley. From that day the Hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg. ¶414
• In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master. ¶417
• TEE KITES of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. ¶419
• The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings. ¶420
• THE HARES waged war with the Eagles, and called upon the Foxes to help them. They replied, "We would willingly have helped you, if we had not known who you were, and with whom you were fighting." ¶424
• Count the cost before you commit yourselves. ¶425
• Be on guard against men who can strike from a distance. ¶428
• No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or distrust him. ¶436
• A BULL was striving with all his might to squeeze himself through a narrow passage which led to his stall. A young Calf came up, and offered to go before and show him the way by which he could manage to pass. "Save yourself the trouble," said the Bull; "I knew that way long before you were born." ¶438
• The Stag, the Wolf, and the Sheep ¶439
• Two blacks do not make one white. ¶441
• Fine feathers don't make fine birds. ¶444
• The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow ¶447
• Every tale is not to be believed. ¶451
• Necessity is the mother of invention. ¶460
• A willful man will have his way to his own hurt. ¶463
• A WALNUT TREE standing by the roadside bore an abundant crop of fruit. For the sake of the nuts, the passers-by broke its branches with stones and sticks. The Walnut-Tree piteously exclaimed, "O wretched me! that those whom I cheer with my fruit should repay me with these painful requitals!" ¶467
• A false tale often betrays itself. ¶482
• The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog ¶485
• The Apes and the Two Travelers ¶487
• THE HARES harangued the assembly, and argued that all should be equal. The Lions made this reply: "Your words, O Hares! are good; but they lack both claws and teeth such as we have." ¶492
• Acquaintance softens prejudices. ¶498
• A BOY bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a passing traveler for help, but instead of holding out a helping hand, the man stood by unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "pray help me now and scold me afterwards." ¶502
• Counsel without help is useless. ¶503

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