Aesop's Fables |
Famous the world over Aesop's fables are thought to have been written by a Greek slave.
Although little is known about him, it is believed that Aesop lived at the court of King Croesus in Athens, around 600 BC. It is also speculated he was by origin an Ethiopian.
Here we present a collection of over a hundred of his famous fables, most beautifully illustrated by Milo Winter.
Although famous the world over, no one knows the truth about Aesop and even if he ever existed. Here, we give a brief account of what is known about him.
A lovely book cover for Aesop's Fables, drawn by Milo Winter. This book has been used for the majority of the Aesop Fables we present in this section.
Moral: 'They Who Will Not Listen To Reason But Stubbornly Go Their Own Way Against The Friendly Advice Of Those Who Are Wiser Than They, Are On The Road To Misfortune'
Moral: 'Behavior That Is Regarded As Agreeable In One Is Very Rude And Impertinent In Another.'
Moral: 'A Fool May Deceive By His Dress And Appearance, But His Words Will Soon Show What He Really Is'
Moral: 'Take Care Of The Little Things And The Big Things Will Take Care Of Themselves'
Moral: 'It Is Wiser To Bear A Single Injury In Silence Than To Provoke A Thousand By Flying Into A Rage'
Moral: 'It Is One Thing To Say That Something Should Be Done, But Quite A Different Matter To Do It'
Moral: 'Always Stop To Think Whether Your Fun May Not Be The Cause Of Another's Unhappiness'
Moral: 'Those Who Try To Deceive May Expect To Be Paid In Their Own Coin'
Moral: 'There Are Many Who Pretend To Despise And Belittle That Which Is Beyond Their Reach'
Moral: 'Familiarity Breeds Contempt. Acquaintance With Evil Blinds Us To Its Dangers'
Moral: 'Do Not Play Tricks On Your Neighbors Unless You Can Stand The Same Treatment Yourself'
Moral: 'Do Not Listen To The Advice Of Him Who Seeks To Lower You To His Own Level'
Moral: 'Those Who Seek To Harm Others Often Come To Harm Themselves Through Their Own Deceit.'
Moral: 'Be Sure You Can Better Your Condition Before You Seek To Change'
Moral: 'We Are Often Of Greater Importance In Our Own Eyes Than In The Eyes Of Our Neighbor.
The Smaller The Mind The Greater The Conceit'
Moral: 'It Is Unwise To Treat Old Friends Badly For The Sake Of New Ones'
Moral: 'Do Not Give Your Enemies The Slightest Reason To Attack Your Reputation.Your Enemies Will Seize Any Excuse To Attack You'
Moral: 'However Unfortunate We May Think We Are There Is Always Someone Worse Off Than Ourselves'
Moral: 'Do Not Be Too Hard To Suit Or You May Have To Be Content With The Worst Or With Nothing At All'
Moral: 'The Loud-mouthed Boaster Does Not Impress Nor Frighten Those Who Know Him'
Moral: 'The Least Of Our Enemies Is Often The Most To Be Feared.Pride Over A Success Should Not Throw Us Off Our Guard'
Moral: 'Better To Yield When It Is Folly To Resist, Than To Resist Stubbornly And Be Destroyed'
Moral: 'Flattery Is Not A Proof Of True Admiration. Do Not Let Flattery Throw You Off Your Guard Against An Enemy'
Moral: 'The Useful Is Of Much More Importance And Value, Than The Ornamental'
Moral: 'We Are Often Not So Eager For What We Seek, After We Have Found It. Do Not Foolishly Ask For Things That Would Bring Ruin If They Were Granted'
Moral: 'Poverty With Security Is Better Than Plenty In The Midst Of Fear And Uncertainty'
Moral: 'The Tyrant Can Always Find An Excuse For His Tyranny.The Unjust Will Not Listen To The Reasoning Of The Innocent'
Moral: 'Do Not Tell Others How To Act Unless You Can Set A Good Example'
Sources And Further Reading |
Aesop for Children (translator not identified), 1919. Illustrations by Milo Winter (1886-1956) (Project Gutenberg)
About Aesop And His Fables A short article we have written about what is known about Aesop and his stories.
Aesop (Wikipedia)
Aesop's Fables (Wikipedia)
Milo Winter In Other Illustrators Some information we have found out about Milo Winter.
Milo Winter (1886-1956) (Wikipedia)