Aesop

Gratitude is a sign of chivalry.

The hero is brave in deeds as well as words.

In the good days remember also death.

To see the death of the enemy, some are ready to see their own.

Never soar aloft on an enemy's pinions.

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

Lean freedom is better than fat slavery.

Persuasion is often more effectual than force.

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.

THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS. One fine day it occurred to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food. So they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work till the Belly consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two, the Hands refused to take the food, the Mouth refused to receive it, and the Teeth had no work to do. But after a day or two the Members began to find that they themselves were not in a very active condition: the Hands could hardly move, and the Mouth was all parched and dry, while the Legs were unable to support the rest. So thus they found that even the Belly in its dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the Body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces.

Be careful not to lose your precious possessions trying to catch a shadow.

Who acts in haste repents at leisure.

I don't think it's much use your looking for the brains: a creature who twice walked into a lions den can't have got any.

The gods help them that help themselves.

No act of kindness is ever wasted.

In union, there is strength.

He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.

If these town gods can't detect the thieves who steal from their own temples, it's hardly likely they'll tell me who stole my spade.

Always remember that You are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.

You will only injure yourself if you take notice of despicable enemies.

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

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

...convinced that in trying to please all, he had pleased none, and had lost his ass into the bargain.

Those who enter through the back door can expect to be shown out through the window.

No argument, no matter how convincing, will give courage to a coward.

Facts speak plainer than words.

Sometimes the slow ones blame the active for the delay.