Author: Aesop
Date: 1847-12-31T15:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Fables; Greek -- Translations into English; Aesop’s fables -- Translations into English
Description: Just as the name “Grimm” has become synonymous with “fairytale,” so has the name “Aesop” become synonymous with “fable.” Presented here, 375 fables, brief bits of wisdom to entertain and instruct readers of all ages.
Publisher: MobileRead
Rights: Public domain where copyright is "Life+80" or less, and in the USA.

About this eBook

AESOP’S FABLES

375 BITS OF WISDOM AND WIT

SELECTIONS FROM SEVERAL SOURCES.
See Editing Notes for details.

TRANSLATIONS BY:

Thomas James (1809–1863)
George Fyler Townsend (1814–1900)
Joseph Jacobs (1854–1916)

LIFE OF AESOP BY:

Geo. F. Townsend (1814–1900)

COMMENTARY BY:

G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936)

ILLUSTRATIONS BY:

Arthur Rackham (1867–1939)

WITH AN INDEX OF TITLES AND AN INDEX OF MORALS.

Just as the name “Grimm” has become synonymous with “fairytale,” so has the name “Aesop” become synonymous with “fable.” Presented here: 375 fables, brief bits of wisdom to entertain and instruct readers of all ages, with 75 delightful illustrations by the Grand Master, Arthur Rackham.

* * * *

By definition, fables are not true stories. Nevertheless, these are maxims; proverbial truths we are already fully aware of, but nevertheless benefit from being reminded of from time to time.

These timeless stories have been passed down for thousands of years by different cultures around the world, including one of the stories discovered on Egyptian papyri from 3,000 years ago.

[…] The fine details have undoubtedly changed but the moral within each fable remains the same. So much so that they have become the “user guide to life,” the moral diet for educators; told and retold, easy to remember and understand by all ages.

Some of these fables are contradictions of others, and so[me] might not have been penned by Aesop, but have slipped into the Aesopica over the centuries. Indeed, some people suggest that Aesop’s very existence is a fable, in which case any mis-attributation is not something to worry about.

Instead just read these fables, be entertained, learn the origin of terms such as “sour grapes,” listen to the viper talking with the metal file, lose yourself in the absurd fantasies, and emerge a better person than you were yesterday.
—Sarah Boynton, from Introduction to “Aesop’s Fables” at seiyaku.com (used with permission).

This ebook was created by ECM for MobileRead.com, October 2019, and may be freely distributed for non-commercial purposes.

The contents of this ebook were first published 1848 ~ 1921. Text and images are in the public domain in countries where the copyright term is “Life+80” or less, and in the USA.

Click here for editing notes.

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Contents

Aesop’s Fables

<>  About This eBook

<>  List of Illustrations

<>  Index of Titles
[BACK OF BOOK]

<>  Index of Morals
[BACK OF BOOK]

<>  Endpaper

<>  The Fables:

<>  The Fox and the Grapes
<>  The Goose with the Golden Eggs
<>  The Cat and the Mice
<>  The Mischievous Dog
<>  The Collier and the Fuller
<>  The Mice in Council
<>  The Bat and the Weasels
<>  The Fox and the Crow
<>  The Horse and the Groom
<>  The Wolf And The Lamb
<>  The Peacock and the Crane
<>  The Cat and the Birds
<>  The Spendthrift and the Swallow
<>  The Old Woman and the Physician
<>  The Moon and Her Mother
<>  Mercury and the Woodmen
<>  The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
<>  The Lion and the Mouse
<>  The Fatal Courtship
<>  The Crow and the Pitcher
<>  The Boys and the Frogs
<>  The North Wind and the Sun
<>  The Old Woman and Her Maids
<>  The Goods and the Ills
<>  The Hares and the Frogs
<>  The Fox and the Stork
<>  The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
<>  The Stag in the Ox-Stall
<>  The Milkmaid and Her Pail
<>  The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat
<>  The Fox and the Monkey
<>  The Ass and the Lapdog
<>  The Fir-Tree and the Bramble
<>  The Marriage of the Sun
<>  The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox
<>  The Gnat and the Bull
<>  The Bear and the Two Travellers
<>  Androcles and the Lion
<>  The Flea and the Man
<>  The Bee and Jupiter
<>  The Oak and the Reeds
<>  The Blind Man and the Cub
<>  The Apes and the Two Travellers
<>  The Ass Carrying Salt
<>  The Shepherd-Boy and the Wolf
<>  The Fox and the Goat
<>  The Fisherman and the Little Fish
<>  The Boasting Traveller
<>  The Crab and His Mother
<>  The Ass’s Shadow
<>  The Farmer and His Sons
<>  The Dog and the Cook
<>  The Thieves and the Cock
<>  Fortune and the Farmer
<>  The Fox and the Monkey King
<>  Jupiter and the Monkey
<>  The Bundle of Sticks
<>  The Lamp
<>  The Owl and the Birds
<>  The Ass in the Lion’s Skin
<>  The She-Goats and Their Beards
<>  The Old Lion
<>  The Boy Bathing
<>  The Quack Frog
<>  The Mouse and the Weasel
<>  The Mouse and the Frog
<>  The Boy and the Nettles
<>  The Peasant and the Apple-Tree
<>  The Jackdaw and the Doves
<>  The Dog in the Manger
<>  Jupiter and the Two Bags
<>  The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
<>  The Boy and the Filberts
<>  The Frogs Asking for a King
<>  The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree
<>  The Lion and the Boar
<>  The Walnut-Tree
<>  The Man and the Lion
<>  The Tortoise and the Eagle
<>  The Wolf and the Kid
<>  The Fox Without a Tail
<>  The Vain Jackdaw
<>  The Traveller and His Dog
<>  The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea
<>  The Wild Boar and the Fox
<>  The Fawn and Her Mother
<>  The Fox and the Lion
<>  The Eagle and His Captor
<>  The Blacksmith And His Dog
<>  The Stag at the Pool
<>  The Dog and the Shadow
<>  The Mice and the Weasels
<>  The Peacock and Juno
<>  The Bear and the Fox
<>  he Sensible Ass
<>  The Frog and the Ox
<>  Hercules and the Wagoner

<>  The Pomegranate, the Apple-Tree, and the Bramble

<>  The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox
<>  The Aethiop
<>  The Two Soldiers and the Robber
<>  The Lion and Other Beasts, Hunting
<>  The Man and the Satyr
<>  The Eagle and the Arrow
<>  The Rich Man and the Tanner
<>  The Nurse and the Wolf
<>  The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
<>  The Lioness
<>  The Viper and the File
<>  The Cat and the Cock
<>  The Tortoise and the Hare
<>  The Horse and His Rider
<>  The Oxen and the Butchers
<>  The Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf
<>  The Four Oxen and the Lion
<>  The Goat and the Vine
<>  The Two Pots
<>  The Old Hound
<>  The Buffoon and the Countryman
<>  The Lark and Her Young Ones
<>  The Prophet
<>  The Hound and the Hare
<>  The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox
<>  The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner
<>  The Wolf and the Crane
<>  The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow
<>  The Wolf and the Sheep
<>  The Tunny-Fish and the Dolphin
<>  The Three Tradesmen
<>  The Mouse and the Bull
<>  The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
<>  The Lion and the Bull
<>  The Monkey Holding Court
<>  The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle
<>  The Farmer and the Fox
<>  Venus and the Cat
<>  The Raven and the Swan
<>  The One-Eyed Doe
<>  The Fly and the Draught-Mule
<>  The Cock and the Jewel
<>  The Wolf and the Shepherd
<>  The Farmer and the Stork
<>  The Charger and the Miller
<>  The Grasshopper and the Owl
<>  The Ants and the Grasshopper
<>  The Farmer and the Snake
<>  The Two Frogs
<>  The Cobbler Turned Doctor
<>  The Ass, the Cock, and the Lion
<>  The Belly and the Members
<>  The Bald Man and the Fly
<>  The Ass and the Wolf
<>  The Monkey and the Camel
<>  The Travellers and the Plane-Tree
<>  The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat
<>  The Man and His Two Sweethearts
<>  The Eagle and the Jackdaw
<>  The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass
<>  The Hart and the Vine
<>  The Lamb and the Wolf
<>  The Bowman and the Lion
<>  The Wolf and the Goat
<>  The Sick Stag
<>  The Ass and the Mule
<>  The Brother and the Sister
<>  The Heifer and the Ox
<>  The Kingdom of the Lion
<>  The Ass and His Driver
<>  The Lion and the Hare
<>  The Wolves and the Sheepdogs
<>  The Trees and the Axe
<>  The Astronomer
<>  The Serpent and the Man
<>  The Ass and His Purchaser
<>  The Kid Pursued by the Wolf
<>  The Herdsman and the Lost Calf
<>  The Mule
<>  The Man and His Two Daughters
<>  The Thief and the Innkeeper
<>  The Ass and the Charger
<>  The Ass And His Masters
<>  The Two Frogs and the Well
<>  The Crab and the Fox
<>  The Jackass in Office
<>  The Goat and the Goatherd
<>  The Sheep and the Dog
<>  The Lion and the Elephant
<>  The Piglet and the Sheep
<>  The Rivers and the Sea
<>  The Lion in Love
<>  The Wolf and the Horse
<>  The Wasp and the Snake
<>  The Eagle and the Beetle
<>  The Fisherman Piping
<>  The Monkey and the Dolphin
<>  The Crow and the Serpent
<>  The Dogs and the Fox
<>  The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog
<>  The Wolf and His Shadow
<>  The Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury
<>  The Doe and the Lion
<>  The Dogs and the Hides
<>  The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox, Hunting

<>  The Birdcatcher, the Partridge, and the Cock

<>  The Gnat and the Lion
<>  The Master and His Dogs
<>  The Eagle and the Fox
<>  The Lion and the Fox
<>  The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox
<>  The Leopard and the Fox
<>  The Fox and the Hedgehog
<>  The Crow and the Raven
<>  The Old Man and Death
<>  The Miser and His Gold
<>  The Horse and the Stag
<>  The Fox and the Bramble
<>  The Partridge and the Fowler
<>  The Hunter and the Woodman
<>  The Serpent and the Eagle
<>  The Horse and the Ass
<>  The Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons
<>  The Swallow and the Crow
<>  The Goatherd and the Wild Goats
<>  Fortune and the Traveller
<>  The Mountain in Labour
<>  The Ass Eating Thistles
<>  The Cock and the Fox
<>  The Fox in the Well
<>  The Fowler and the Ringdove
<>  The Boar and the Ass
<>  The Peacock and the Magpie
<>  The Kite and the Pigeons
<>  The Horse and the Lion
<>  Cupid and Death
<>  The Hawk and the Farmer
<>  The Envious Man and the Covetous
<>  The Dog and the Sheep
<>  The Fox and the Tiger
<>  The Camel and Jupiter
<>  The Porcupine and the Snakes
<>  The Cat and the Fox
<>  The Sick Lion
<>  The Bear and the Beehives
<>  The Flies and the Honey-Pot
<>  The Man and His Wife
<>  The Farmer and the Cranes
<>  The Thirsty Pigeon
<>  The Man Bitten by a Dog
<>  The Huntsman and the Fisherman
<>  The Two Dogs
<>  The Widow and the Sheep
<>  The Sick Kite
<>  The Travellers and the Purse
<>  The Gull and the Kite
<>  The Seaside Travellers
<>  The Bull and the Goat
<>  The Ape and Her Young Ones
<>  The Kites and the Swans
<>  The Hares and the Foxes
<>  The Lion and the Eagle
<>  The Young Man and the Painted Lion
<>  The Dog and the Oyster
<>  The Ass and the Frogs
<>  The Lark Burying Her Father
<>  The Dancing Monkeys
<>  The Ass and the Grasshoppers
<>  The Boy and the Scorpion
<>  The Hare and the Hound
<>  The Wolves and the Sheep
<>  The Shepherd and the Wolf
<>  The Swallow in Chancery
<>  The Thief and His Mother
<>  The Great and the Little Fishes
<>  The Lion and the Dolphin
<>  The Wolf and the Housedog
<>  The Swan and the Goose
<>  The Fox and the Woodman
<>  The Monkey and the Fishermen
<>  The Peasant and the Eagle
<>  The Oaks and Jupiter
<>  The Shepherd and the Dog

<>  The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter

<>  The Widow and the Hen
<>  The Wolf and the Fox
<>  The Thief and the Dog
<>  The Hares and the Lions
<>  The Weasel and the Mice
<>  The Hawk and the Nightingale
<>  The Goat and the Ass
<>  The Fishermen
<>  The Fowler and the Viper
<>  The Wasps, the Partridges, and the Farmer
<>  The Crow and Mercury
<>  The Gamecocks and the Partridge
<>  The Fox and the Caged Lion
<>  The Hare and the Sparrow
<>  The Dove and the Crow
<>  Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva, and Momus

<>  The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods

<>  The Jackdaw and the Fox
<>  The Puppies and Their Mother
<>  The Shepherd and the Sheep
<>  Ass and the Horse
<>  Truth and the Traveller
<>  The Murderer
<>  The Countryman and the Snake
<>  The Hen and the Swallow
<>  The Jackdaw and the Sheep
<>  The Mules and the Robbers
<>  The Two Goats
<>  The Panther and the Shepherds
<>  The Fisherman
<>  The Geese and the Cranes
<>  The Ant and the Dove
<>  The Swallow and Other Birds
<>  The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls
<>  The Hunter and the Wolf
<>  The Doctor and His Patient
<>  The Hare with Many Friends
<>  The Mouse and the Boasting Rat
<>  The Wolf, the Goat, and the Kid
<>  The Dog’s House
<>  The Thrush and the Fowler
<>  The Image of Mercury and the Carpenter
<>  The Seller of Images
<>  Mercury and the Sculptor
<>  The Wolf and the Lion
<>  The Lion’s Share
<>  The Flea and the Ox
<>  The Bull and the Calf
<>  The Bald Knight
<>  The Hunter and the Horseman
<>  The Mole and His Mother
<>  The Shepherd and the Sea
<>  The Camel and the Arab
<>  The Playful Ass
<>  The Wolf and the Shepherds
<>  The Farmer and the Lion
<>  The Flea and the Wrestler
<>  The Fox and the Mask
<>  The Monkey and the Cat
<>  The Tortoise and the Two Ducks
<>  The Hare Afraid of His Ears
<>  The Two Men Who Were Enemies
<>  The Eagle and the Kite
<>  The Birdcatcher and the Lark
<>  The Dog and the Wolf
<>  The Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp
<>  The Cat, the Weasel, and the Rabbit
<>  The Ass’s Brains
<>  The Sow and the Wolf
<>  The Hen and the Fox
<>  The Dog and the Crocodile
<>  The Lion and the Ass, Hunting
<>  The Sow and the Dog
<>  The Rat and the Elephant
<>  The Camel
<>  The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog
<>  The Bear and the Bees
<>  The Eel and the Snake
<>  The Thief and the Boy
<>  The Man Who Lost His Spade
<>  The Ass, the Dog, and the Wolf
<>  The Falcon and the Capon
<>  The Eagle and the Owl
<>  The Blind Man and the Lame Man
<>  The Ant and the Chrysalis
<>  The Hedge and the Vineyard
<>  The Rose and the Amaranth
<>  The Gourd and the Pine
<>  The Drum and the Vase of Sweet Herbs
<>  The Ass Pretending that He Was Ill
<>  The Arab and his Camel
<>  The Lion and His Three Councillors
<>  The Creaking Wheel
<>  The Two Travellers and the Oyster
<>  The Lion, and the Asses and Hares
<>  The Wolves and the Sick Ass
<>  The Gnat and the Man
<>  A Boar Challenges an Ass

<>  Life of Aesop
<>  Commentary
<>  Index of Titles
<>  Index of Morals

Illustrations

<>  The Fox and the Grapes
<>  The Fox and the Crow
<>  The Cat and the Birds

<>  The Moon and Her Mother
[COLOR]

<>  The Crow and the Pitcher
<>  The North Wind and the Sun
<>  The Fox and the Stork

<>  The Fir-Tree and the Bramble
[COLOR]

<>  The Gnat and the Bull
<>  The Flea and the Man
<>  The Oak and the Reeds

<>  The Crab and His Mother
[COLOR]

<>  The Thieves and the Cock

<>  The Owl and the Birds
[COLOR]

<>  The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

<>  The Boy Bathing

<>  The Quack Frog
[COLOR]

<>  The Dog in the Manger
<>  King Log
<>  King Stork
<>  The Fox Without a Tail

<>  The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea
[COLOR]

<>  The Fox and the Lion
<>  The Dog and the Shadow
<>  The Bear and the Fox
<>  The Frog and the Ox

<>  The Aethiop
[COLOR]

<>  The Man and the Satyr
<>  The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
<>  The Cat and the Cock

<>  The Tortoise and the Hare
[COLOR]

<>  The Sheep, The Stag, and the Wolf

<>  The Goat and the Vine

<>  The Two Pots
[COLOR]

<>  The Hound and the Hare
<>  The Wolf and the Crane
<>  The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
<>  The Monkey Holding Court

<>  Venus and the Cat
[COLOR]

<>  The Cock and the Jewel
<>  The Ants and the Grasshopper
<>  The Bald Man and the Fly
<>  The Monkey and the Camel

<>  The Travellers and the Plane-Tree
[COLOR]

<>  The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass

<>  The Wolf and the Goat
[COLOR]

<>  The Kingdom of the Lion

<>  The Trees and the Axe
[COLOR]

<>  The Kid and the Wolf
<>  The Mule
<>  The Frogs and the Well
<>  The Goatherd and the Goat

<>  The Lion and the Elephant
[COLOR]

<>  The Wolf and the Horse
<>  The Fisherman Piping
<>  The Monkey and the Dolphin
<>  The Wolf and His Shadow
<>  The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox
<>  The Gnat and the Lion

<>  The Gnat and His Fate
[COLOR]

<>  The Leopard and the Fox
<>  The Miser
<>  The Hunter and the Woodman
<>  The Horse and the Ass

•  The Fox and the Grapes

A famished Fox saw some clusters of ripe black Grapes hanging from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach them. At last she turned away, hiding her disappointment and saying: “The Grapes are sour, and not at all fit for eating.”

There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.

•  The Goose with the Golden Eggs

A certain Man had the good fortune to possess a Goose that laid him a Golden Egg every day. But dissatisfied with so slow an income, and thinking to seize the whole treasure at once, he killed the Goose; and cutting her open, found her—just what any other goose would be!

Much wants more and loses all. Greed often overreaches itself.

•  The Cat and the Mice

A Cat, grown feeble with age and no longer able to hunt the Mice, considered how she might entice them within reach of her paw. Thinking that she might pass herself off for a bag, or for a dead cat at least, she suspended herself by the hind legs from a peg, in the hope that the Mice would no longer be afraid to come near her. An old Mouse, who was wise enough to keep his distance, whispered to a friend, “Many a bag have I seen in my day, but never one with a cat’s head.”  “Hang there, good Madam,” said the other, “as long as you please, but I would not trust myself within reach of you if you were stuffed with straw.”

Old birds are not to be caught with chaff. Experience brings wisdom.

Don’t be deceived by the innocent airs of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.

•  The Mischievous Dog

A Dog used to run up quietly to the heels of everyone he met, and to bite them without notice. His master suspended a bell about his neck so that the Dog might give notice of his presence wherever he went. Thinking it a mark of distinction, the Dog grew proud of his bell and went tinkling it all over the marketplace. One day an old hound said to him: “Why do you make such an exhibition of yourself? That bell that you carry is not, believe me, any order of merit, but on the contrary a mark of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you as an ill-mannered dog.”

Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.

•  The Collier and the Fuller

A Collier who had more room in his house than he wanted for himself, proposed to a Fuller to come and take up his quarters with him. “Thank you,” said the Fuller, “but I must decline your offer; for I fear that as fast as I whiten my goods, you will blacken them.”

There can be little liking where there is no likeness.

[A fuller cleans freshly woven cloth; a collier is a coal miner.]

•  The Mice in Council

The Mice summoned a council to decide how they might best devise means of warning themselves of the approach of their great enemy, the Cat. Among the many plans suggested, the one that found most favour was the proposal to tie a bell to the neck of the Cat, so that the Mice, being warned by the sound of the tinkling, might run away and hide themselves in their holes at his approach. But when the Mice further debated who among them should “bell the Cat,” there was no one found to do it.

It is easy to propose impossible remedies.

Let those who propose be willing to perform.

•  The Bat and the Weasels

A Weasel seized upon a Bat, who begged hard for her life. “No, no,” said the Weasel; “I give no quarter to Birds.”  “Birds!” cried the Bat. “I am no Bird. I am a Mouse. Look at my body.” And so she got off that time. A few days after, she fell into the clutches of another Weasel, who, unlike the first, had a stronger antipathy to Mice than to Birds. The Bat cried for mercy. “No,” said the Weasel; “no mercy to a Mouse.”  “But,” said the Bat, “you can see from my wings that I am a Bird.” And so the wise Bat escaped a second time as well.

Set your sails with the wind. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

•  The Fox and the Crow

A Crow having stolen a piece of cheese, flew with it to a tree that was some way off. A Fox, seeing this, came and sat at the foot of the tree, and tried to find some way of making it his. “Good morning, dear Miss Crow,” said he. “How well you are looking today! What handsome feathers yours are, to be sure! Perhaps, too, your voice is as sweet as your feathers are fine. If so, you are really the Queen of Birds.” The Crow, quite beside herself to hear such praise, at once opened a wide beak to let the Fox judge her voice, and so let fall the cheese. The Fox snapped it up, and exclaimed, “My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.”

He who listens to the music of flattery may expect to pay the piper.

•  The Horse and the Groom

A dishonest Groom used to steal and sell a good half of the measure of oats that was daily allowed for the Horse entrusted to his care. He would, however, keep currying the animal for hours together, to make him appear in good condition. The Horse naturally resented this treatment. “If you really wish me to look sleek,” said he, “in future give me half the currying, and leave off selling half my food.”

Appearances don’t always tell the whole story.

If you wish to do a service, do it right.

•  The Wolf And The Lamb

A hungry Wolf one day saw a Lamb drinking at a stream, and wished to find some reason to justify to the Lamb the Wolf’s right to eat him. “What do you mean by muddling the water I am going to drink?” he said fiercely to the Lamb. “Pray forgive me,” the Lamb answered meekly; “I should be sorry in any way to displease you, but as the stream runs from you towards me, you will see that such cannot be the case.”  “That’s all very well,” said the Wolf, readily finding another reason; “but you know you spoke ill of me behind my back a year ago.”  “Nay, believe me,” replied the Lamb, “I was not then born.”  “It must have been your brother then,” growled the Wolf. “It cannot have been, for I never had any,” answered the Lamb. “I know it was one of your lot,” rejoined the Wolf, “so make no more such idle excuses.” He then seized the poor Lamb, carried him off to the woods, and ate him.

The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.

A plea of Not Guilty goes for naught against malicious power.

•  The Peacock and the Crane

A Peacock spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane, ridiculing the plainess of his plumage and saying, “I am robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colours of the rainbow; while you have not a bit of colour on your wings.”  “True,” replied the Crane; “but I soar to the heights of heaven and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like any common barnyard fowl.”

Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.

•  The Cat and the Birds

A Cat, hearing that the Birds in a certain aviary were ailing, dressed himself up as a physician, and, taking his cane and a bag of instruments becoming his profession, went to call on them. He knocked at the door and inquired how they all did, saying that if they were ill, he would be happy to prescribe for them and cure them. They replied, “We are well enough—much better than if we should open our door and let you in.”

Know your enemies.
A villain may disguise himself, but he will not deceive the wise.

•  The Spendthrift and the Swallow

A prodigal Young Man had run through all his money, and even sold all his outer clothes except his cloak. He saw a Swallow skimming over the meadows one fine day in the early spring, believed that summer was really come, and sold his cloak too. The next morning there happened to be a severe frost, and, shivering and nearly frozen himself, he found the Swallow lying stiff and dead upon the ground. He thereupon upbraided the poor bird as the cause of all his misfortunes. “Stupid thing,” said he, “had you not come before your time, I should not now be so wretched as I am.”

One swallow does not make summer.

•  The Old Woman and the Physician

An old Woman, who had become blind, called in a Physician, and promised him, before witnesses, that if he would restore her eyesight, she would give him a most handsome reward, but that if he did not cure her, he should receive nothing. The agreement being concluded, the rascally Physician from time to time treated the old lady’s eyes, and meanwhile, bit by bit, carried off her goods. After a time he set about the task in earnest and cured her, and asked for the stipulated fee. But the Old Woman, on recovering her sight, saw none of her goods left in the house. He claimed his reward, but the Old Lady protested that, so far from being cured, her sight was worse than ever. “We will soon see about that, my good Woman,” said he; and she was soon summoned to appear in Court. Being called upon for her defence, she said: “What this man says is true enough; I promised to give him his fee if my sight were restored, and nothing if my eyes continued bad. Now he says that I am cured, but I say just the contrary; for when my malady first came on, I could see all sorts of furniture and goods in my house; but now, when he says he has restored my sight, I cannot see one jot of either.”

Avarice is both knave and fool.

•  The Moon and Her Mother

The Moon once asked her Mother to make her a little coat that would fit her well. The Mother replied, “How can I make you a coat to fit you, who are now a slender New Moon, and then a plump Full Moon, and then again neither one nor the other?”

•  Mercury and the Woodmen

A Man felling a tree on the bank of a river, by chance let his axe slip from his hand. It dropped into the water, and sank to the bottom. In great distress at the loss of his tool, he sat down on the bank and grieved bitterly. Mercury appeared, and asked him what was the matter. Having heard the Man’s story, he dove to the bottom of the river, and bringing up a golden axe, offered it to him. The Woodman refused to take it, saying it was not his. Mercury then dove a second time, and brought up a silver one. This also the Man refused, saying that that, too, was none of his. He dove a third time, and brought up the axe that the Man had lost. This the poor Man took with great joy and thankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with his honesty, that he gave him the other two into the bargain. The Woodman told this adventure to his mates, and one of them at once set off for the river, and let his axe fall in on purpose. He then began to lament his loss with a loud voice. Mercury appeared, as before, and demanded the cause of his grief. After hearing the Man’s account, he dove and brought up a golden axe, and asked him if that was his. Transported at the sight of the precious metal, the fellow eagerly answered that it was, and greedily attempted to snatch it. The god, detecting his falsehood and impudence, not only declined to give it to him, but refused to let him have his own again.

Honesty is the best policy.

•  The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion

The Ass and the Fox, having entered into partnership for their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far when they met a Lion. The Fox, seeing imminent danger, approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox. Then, upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured, the Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it. The Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutched the Fox, and attacked the Ass at his leisure.

Traitors must expect treachery.

•  The Lion and the Mouse

A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: “If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness.” The Lion laughed and let him go. It happened that shortly after this, the Lion was caught by some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaiming:

“You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favour; now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to help a Lion.”

The weak have their place in the world as truly as the strong. Little friends may prove to be great friends.

•  The Fatal Courtship

It is said that the Mouse spoken of in the previous Fable was so emboldened by the offers of friendship made to him by the Lion in return for his assistance, that he asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage. The Lion, amused at the request, good-humouredly told the Mouse he should plead his own cause, and called the young Lioness to come to him. She bounded forward heedlessly like a giddy thing as she was, not minding how she walked, by chance set her paw upon her suitor who was coming to meet her, and crushed her little dear to pieces.

Ambition oft-times overleaps itself and falls into great peril.

Alliances prompted by ambition often prove disastrous.

•  The Crow and the Pitcher

A Crow, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a Pitcher, hoping to find some water in it. He found some there, to be sure, but only a little drop at the bottom, which he was quite unable to reach. He then tried to break the Pitcher, then to overturn it, but he was not strong enough. So he gathered up some pebbles, and one by one dropped them into the Pitcher, and so raised the water to the brim, and quenched his thirst.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Skill and Patience may succeed where Force fails.

•  The Boys and the Frogs

Some Boys happened to be playing at the edge of a pond. The game they were playing was ducks and drakes [A game in which a flat stone is bounced along the surface of calm water]; and whole volleys of stones were thrown into the water, to the great annoyance and danger of the poor terrified Frogs. At length one of the boldest Frogs lifted his head out of the water, and cried out: “Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is death to us.”

One man’s pleasure may be another’s pain.

•  The North Wind and the Sun

The North Wind and the Sun disputed as to which was the most powerful, and agreed that he should be declared the victor who could first strip a wayfaring man of his clothes. The North Wind first tried his power and blew with all his might, but the keener his blasts, the closer the Traveller wrapped his cloak around him, until at last, resigning all hope of victory, the Wind called upon the Sun to see what he could do. The Sun suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The Traveller no sooner felt his genial rays than he took off one garment after another, and at last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed and bathed in a stream that lay in his path.

Persuasion is better than Force.

•  The Old Woman and Her Maids

A certain Old Woman had several Maids, whom she used to call to their work every morning at the crowing of the Cock. The Maids, finding it grievous to have their sweet sleep disturbed so early, killed the Cock, thinking that when he was quiet they should enjoy their warm beds a little longer. The Old Woman, vexed at the loss of her Cock, and suspecting them to be concerned in it, from that time made them rise soon after midnight.

In rash endeavours to reduce existing ills, we may easily increase our troubles.

Laziness brings its own punishment.

•  The Goods and the Ills

All the Goods were once driven out by the Ills from that common share which they each had in the affairs of mankind; for the Ills by reason of their numbers had prevailed to possess the earth. The Goods wafted themselves to heaven and asked for a righteous vengeance on their persecutors. They entreated Jupiter that they might no longer be associated with the Ills, as they had nothing in common and could not live together, but were engaged in unceasing warfare; and that an indissoluble law might be laid down for their future protection. Jupiter granted their request and decreed that henceforth the Ills should visit the earth in company with each other, but that the Goods should one by one enter the habitations of men. Hence it arises that Ills abound, for they come not one by one, but in troops, and by no means singly: while the Goods proceed from Jupiter, and are given, not alike to all, but singly, and separately; and one by one to those who are able to discern them.

Misfortunes seldom come singly.

•  The Hares and the Frogs

The Hares once took serious counsel among themselves whether death itself would not be preferable to their miserable condition. “What a sad state is ours,” they said, “never to eat in comfort, to sleep ever in fear, to be startled by a shadow, and fly with beating heart at the rustling of the leaves. Better death by far;” and off they went to drown themselves in a neighbouring lake. Some scores of Frogs who were enjoying the moonlight on the bank, scared at the approach of the Hares, jumped into the water. The splash awoke fresh fears in the breasts of the timid Hares, and they came to a full stop in their flight. One wise old fellow among them cried, “Hold, brothers! See, weak and fearful as we are, there are creatures who are still more timid than ourselves. Why then should we seek to die? Let us rather make the best of our lot, such as it is.”

There is always someone worse off than ourselves.

•  The Fox and the Stork

The Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and, wishing to be amused at the expense of his guest, provided nothing for the entertainment but some thin soup in a shallow dish. This the Fox could lap up with ease; but the Stork could only dip in the point of his bill, and his vexation at not being able to eat afforded the Fox much amusement.

The Stork, in his turn, asked the Fox to sup with him, and set before him a jug with a long narrow neck, so that the Stork could easily insert his bill and enjoy its contents at his leisure. The Fox, unable even to taste it, thus met with a fitting payment for the fashion of his own hospitality. The Fox was heartily vexed at first, but admitted that he had been used as he deserved, and that he had no reason to take any offence, for he himself had set the example.

He who would make jokes must take jokes.
Those who practice cunning must expect to suffer by it.

•  The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Once upon a time a Wolf resolved to disguise his appearance in order to secure food more easily. Encased in the skin of a sheep, he pastured with the flock, deceiving the shepherd by his costume. In the evening he was shut up by the shepherd in the fold; the gate was closed, and the entrance made thoroughly secure. But that night, the shepherd, returning to the fold to obtain meat for the next day, mistakenly caught up the Wolf instead of a sheep, and killed him instantly.

Appearances can be deceptive.

The evildoer often comes to harm through his own deceit.

•  The Stag in the Ox-Stall

A hunted Stag, hotly pursued by the hounds, ran to a farmyard and took refuge in a shed with the oxen. One of the Oxen turned, and asked him why he came to such a place as that, where he would be sure to be taken. The Stag replied that he should do well enough if the Oxen would not tell of him, and covering himself in a heap of straw, waited for the night.

Evening came on: the herdsman fed the cattle, but did not see the Stag; and even the bailiff with several labourers passed through and failed to notice him. The Stag, now feeling himself quite secure, began to thank the Oxen for their hospitality. The Ox warned him not to be too sure of his escape, and said that glad as they would all be for him to get away, there was a certain person still to come whose eyes were a deal sharper than the eyes of anyone who had been there yet.

This was the Master himself, who looked in to see that all was right. Going up to the rack, “Why so little fodder here?” says he; “and why is there not more straw? And how long, I wonder, would it take to sweep down these cobwebs!” Prying and observing here and there and everywhere, his eye was caught by the Stag’s antlers jutting from the straw, and, calling in his servants, he instantly made a prize of the Stag.

Nothing escapes the Master’s eye!
A man will be more discerning about his own affairs than those of others.

•  The Milkmaid and Her Pail

A Farmer’s Daughter was carrying her Pail of milk from the field to the farmhouse, when she fell a-musing. “The money for which this milk will be sold, will buy at least three hundred eggs. The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will become ready for the market when poultry will fetch the highest price, so that by the end of the year I shall have money enough from my share to buy a new gown. In this dress I will go to the Christmas parties, where all the young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my head and refuse them every one.” At this moment she tossed her head in unison with her thoughts, and down fell the milk pail to the ground, and all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment.

Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

•  The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat

The Dolphins and Whales waged a fierce war with each other. When the battle was at its height, a Sprat lifted its head out of the waves and said that he would reconcile their differences if they would accept him as an umpire. One of the Dolphins replied, “We would far rather be destroyed in our battle with each other than admit any interference by such as you in our affairs.”

Better war than ignoble peace.

Never involve an outsider in your internal matters.

•  The Fox and the Monkey

A Fox and a Monkey were travelling together on the same road. As they journeyed, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. “All these monuments which you see,” said the Monkey, “are erected in honour of my ancestors, who were in their day freedmen and citizens of great renown.” The Fox replied, “You have chosen a most appropriate subject for your falsehoods, as I am sure none of your ancestors will be able to contradict you.”

A false tale often betrays itself.

•  The Ass and the Lapdog

The Ass observing how great a favourite a Little Dog was with his master, how much caressed and fondled, and fed with choice bits at every meal—for no other reason, that he could see, but skipping and frisking about and wagging his tail—and resolved to imitate him, and see whether the same behaviour would not bring him similar favours. Accordingly, the master was no sooner come home and seated in his easy-chair, than the Ass came into the room, and danced around him with many an awkward gambol. The man could not help laughing aloud at the odd sight. The joke, however, became serious when the Ass, rising on his hind legs, laid his forefeet upon his master’s shoulders, and braying in his face in the most fascinating manner, would have jumped into his lap. The man cried out for help, and one of his servants running in with a good stick, laid it unmercifully on the bones of the poor Ass. He lamented as he returned to his stable, “I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been content to labour with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!”

Each in his own place is best. Do not try to gain favour by acting in a way that is contrary to your own nature and character.

Clumsy jesting is no joke.

•  The Fir-Tree and the Bramble

The Fir-tree treated with contempt the Bramble that grew at its foot. “I am put to many high and noble uses,” he boasted. “I furnish spars for ships, and beams for the roofs of palaces. You are trodden underfoot, and despised by everybody.”  “You talk very fine now,” replied the Bramble; “but, for all that, when you feel the axe applied to your root, you’ll wish you had been a Bramble.”

Better poverty without a care, than the obligations of wealth.

•  The Marriage of the Sun

Once upon a time, in a very warm summer, it was reported that the Sun was going to be married. All the birds and beasts were delighted at the thought; and the Frogs, above all others, were determined to have a good holiday. But an old Toad put a stop to their festivities by observing that it was an occasion for sorrow rather than joy. “For if,” said he, “the Sun by himself now parches up the marshes so that we can hardly bear it, what will become of us if he should have a dozen little Suns in addition?”

Let tomorrow take care of itself.

•  The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox

A Dog and a Cock being great friends, agreed to travel together. At nightfall they took shelter in a thick wood. The Cock flying up, perched himself on the branches of a tree, while the Dog found a bed beneath in the hollow trunk. When the morning dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed very loudly several times. A Fox heard the sound, and wishing to make a breakfast of him, came and stood under the branches, saying how earnestly he desired to make the acquaintance of the owner of so magnificent a voice. The Cock, suspecting his compliments, said: “Sir, I wish you would do me the favour of going around to the hollow trunk below me, and waking my porter, so that he may open the door and let you in.” When the Fox approached the tree, the Dog sprang out and caught him, and made an end of him.

They who lay traps for others are often caught by their own bait.

•  The Gnat and the Bull

A Gnat settled on the horn of a Bull, and sat there a long time. Just as he was about to fly off, he made a buzzing noise, and inquired “Would you like to have me stay longer, or shall I go now?” The Bull replied, “I did not know you had come, and I am sure I shall not miss you when you go away.”

The smaller the Mind the greater the Conceit.
Don’t over-estimate your own importance.

•  The Bear and the Two Travellers

Two Men about to journey through a forest, agreed to stand by one another in any dangers that might befall. They had not gone far before a savage Bear rushed out from a thicket and stood in their path. One of the Travellers, a light, nimble fellow, got up into a tree. The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on his face and held his breath. The Bear came up and smelled at him, and taking him for dead, went off again into the wood (for it is said he will not touch a dead body). The man in the tree came down, and rejoining his companion, asked him, with a mischievous smile, what was the wonderful secret that the Bear had whispered into his ear. “He gave me this advice,” his companion replied. “Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger.”

Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.

•  Androcles and the Lion

A Slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there, he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring toward his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

Good deeds are rewarded.

•  The Flea and the Man

A Man, very much annoyed with a Flea, caught him at last, and said, “Who are you who dare to feed on my limbs, and to cost me so much trouble in catching you?” The Flea replied, “O my dear sir, please spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot possibly do you much harm.” The Man, laughing, replied, “Now you shall certainly die by my own hands, for no evil, whether it be small or large, ought to be tolerated.”

Do not waste your pity on a scamp.
No evil that can be remedied should be endured.

•  The Bee and Jupiter

A Bee made Jupiter a present of a pot of honey, which so delighted him that he promised to give whatever she should ask. She entreated, “Give me, I pray thee, a sting, that if any mortal shall approach to take my honey, I may kill him.” Jupiter was loth to leave mankind at the mercy of a little spiteful insect, and was annoyed at the ill-nature of her wish. He therefore said that, while for the sake of his promise he would give her the power to harm, she must be careful how she used the power, for where she planted her sting she would leave it, and with it lose her life.

Evil wishes, like chickens, come home to roost.
He that prays harm for his neighbour, begs a curse upon himself.

•  The Oak and the Reeds

An Oak that had been uprooted by the winds was borne down the stream of a river, on the banks of which many Reeds were growing. The Oak wondered to see that things so slight and frail had stood the storm, when so great and strong a tree as himself had been rooted up. “Cease to wonder,” said the Reed; “you were overthrown by fighting against the storm, while we are saved by yielding and bending to the slightest breath that blows.”

Stoop to conquer. Better to yield when it is folly to resist, than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed.

Obscurity often brings safety.

•  The Blind Man and the Cub

A Blind Man was accustomed to tell the species of any animal that was brought to him, by feeling it over with his hands. Once they brought to him a Wolf’s cub. He felt it all over, and being in doubt, said, “I know that I would not trust thee among a flock of sheep.”

Evil tendencies are shown in early life.

•  The Apes and the Two Travellers

Two Men, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were travelling together and by chance came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation: “What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?” The Lying Traveller replied, “You seem to me a most mighty king.”  “And what is your estimate of those you see around me?”  “These,” he made answer, “are worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies.” The Ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful Traveller thought to himself, “If so great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?” The Ape quickly turned to him. “And pray how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?”  “You are,” he said, “a most excellent Ape, and your companions are excellent Apes too.” The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions.

Truth should not always be revealed.

The truth often hurts.

•  The Ass Carrying Salt

A Peddler drove his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. His road home lay across a stream into which his Ass, making a false step, fell by accident and rose up again with his load considerably lighter, for the water melted the salt. The Peddler retraced his steps and refilled his panniers with a larger quantity of salt than before. When he came again to the stream, the Ass fell down on purpose in the same spot, and, regaining his feet with the weight of his load much diminished, brayed triumphantly as if he had obtained what he desired. The Peddler saw through his trick and drove him for the third time to the coast, where he bought a cargo of sponges instead of salt. The Ass, again playing the fool, fell down on purpose when he reached the stream, but the sponges became swollen with water, greatly increasing his load. And thus his trick recoiled on him, for he now carried on his back a double burden.

The same measures will not suit all circumstances; and we may play the same trick once too often.

•  The Shepherd-Boy and the Wolf

A Shepherd-Boy, who tended his flock not far from a village, used to amuse himself at times in crying out “Wolf! Wolf!” Twice or thrice his trick succeeded. The whole village came running to his assistance; and he would laugh at them for their pains. At last one day the Wolf came indeed. The Boy cried out in earnest. But his neighbours, supposing him to be at his old sport, paid no heed to his cries, and the Wolf devoured the Sheep. So the Boy learned, when it was too late, that:

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

•  The Fox and the Goat

A Fox one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. “If,” said he, “you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and, once out, of course I can help you.”

“By my beard,” said the Goat, “that’s a good plan. I should never have thought of that. How I wish I had your brains, to be sure!” The Fox, having got out in the way described, began to rail at his companion. “Make the most of your patience, old fellow,” said he, “for you’ll need it all. If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape.”

Look before you leap.

Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

•  The Fisherman and the Little Fish

An Angler, who gained his livelihood by fishing, after a long day’s toil, caught nothing but one little fish. “Spare me,” said the little creature, “I beseech you; so small as I am, I shall make you only a sorry meal. I am not come to my full size yet; throw me back into the river for the present, and then, when I am grown bigger and worth eating, you may come here and catch me again.”  “It’s all very well to say ‘Catch me again,’ my little fellow,” replied the Man, “but if you once get back into the water, your tune will be ‘Catch me, if you can.’”

A small certainty is better than a great possibility.

•  The Boasting Traveller

A Man who had been travelling in foreign parts, on his return home was always bragging and boasting of the great feats he had accomplished in different places. In Rhodes, for instance, he said he had taken such an extraordinary leap, that no man could come near him, and he had witnesses there to prove it. “Possibly,” said one of his hearers; “but if this be true, there is no need to call witnesses. Just imagine this to be Rhodes, and leap for us.”

Deeds, not words.

•  The Crab and His Mother

A Crab said to her son, “Why do you sidle along in that awkward manner? Why don’t you go straight forward like other people?”  “Well, mother,” answered the young Crab, “it seems to me that I go exactly like you do. Go first and show me how, and I will gladly follow.” The Mother tried in vain, and submitted without remonstrance to the reproof of her child.

Lead by example, not by words.

It is easier to see another’s fault than our own.

•  The Ass’s Shadow

A Youth, one hot summer’s day, hired an Ass to carry him from Athens to Megara. At midday the heat of the sun was so scorching, he called upon the Driver to stop, and proceeded to sit down in the Shadow of the Ass. The Driver, however, a lusty fellow, rudely pushed him away, and sat down on the spot himself. “What!” said the Youth, “did I not hire the Ass for the whole journey?”  “Nay, friend,” said the Driver, “when you hired this Ass of me, you said nothing about the Shadow. If now you want that too, you must pay for it.”

While they were thus wrangling and fighting for the place, the Ass took to his heels and ran away.

In quarrelling over the Shadow, we often lose the Substance.

•  The Farmer and His Sons

A Farmer, being on the point of death, wished to be sure that his sons would give the same attention to his farm as he himself had given it. He called them to his bedside and said, “My sons, there is a great treasure hidden in my vineyards.” The sons, after his death, took their spades and mattocks and carefully dug over every portion of their land. They found no treasure, but the vines repaid their labour by an extraordinary and superabundant crop.

Diligence makes riches.

•  The Dog and the Cook

A rich Man gave a great feast, to which he invited many friends and acquaintances. His Dog availed himself of the occasion to invite a stranger Dog, a friend of his, saying, “My master gives a feast, and there is always much food remaining; come and sup with me tonight.” The Dog thus invited went at the hour appointed, and seeing the preparations for so grand an entertainment, said in the joy of his heart, “How glad I am that I came! I do not often get such a chance as this. I will take care to eat enough to last me a week.” He wagged his tail so hard, and licked his chops in anticipation with so much vigour, that he attracted the notice of the head cook, who, seeing a strange Dog about, seized him by his fore and hind paws and bundled him without ceremony out of the window. He fell with force upon the ground and limped away, howling dreadfully. His yelling soon attracted other street dogs, who came up to him and inquired how he had enjoyed his supper. He replied, “Why, to tell you the truth, I drank so much wine that I remember nothing. I do not know how I got out of the house.”

Uninvited guests seldom meet a welcome.
Those who enter by the back stairs must not complain if they are thrown out by the window.

•  The Thieves and the Cock

Some Thieves once broke into a house, but found nothing in it worth carrying off but a Cock. The poor Cock said as much for himself as a Cock could say, urging them to remember his services in calling people up to their work when it was time to rise. “Nay,” said one of the Robbers, “you had better say nothing about that. When you wake your neighbours, you entirely put an end to our business.”

The safeguards of virtue are hateful to those with evil intentions.

•  Fortune and the Farmer

As a Farmer was one day turning up the ground with his plough, he came across a great store of treasure. Transported with joy, he fell upon the Earth and thanked her for her kindness and liberality. Fortune appeared, and said to him, “You thank the Earth thus warmly, and never think of me. If, instead of finding this treasure, you had lost it, I should have been the first you would have blamed.”

Show gratitude where gratitude is due.

•  The Fox and the Monkey King

A Monkey once danced in an assembly of the Beasts, and so pleased them all by his performance that they elected him their King. A Fox, who envied him the honour, discovered a piece of meat lying in a trap, and leading the Monkey to the place where it was, said that she had found a store, but had not used it, she had kept it for him as treasure trove of his kingdom, and counselled him to lay hold of it. The Monkey approached carelessly and was caught in the trap; and on his accusing the Fox of purposely leading him into the snare, she replied, “Monkey, how are you, with such a mind as yours, going to be King over the Beasts? Not to understand a trap!”

The true leader proves himself by his qualities.

•  Jupiter and the Monkey

Jupiter issued a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest and promised a royal reward to the one whose offspring should be deemed the handsomest. The Monkey came with the rest and presented, with all a mother’s tenderness, a flat-nosed, hairless, ill-featured young Monkey as a candidate for the promised reward. A general laugh saluted her on the presentation of her son. She resolutely said, “I know not whether Jupiter will allot the prize to my son, but this I do know, that he is, at least in the eyes of me, his mother, the dearest, handsomest, and most beautiful of all.”

A mother’s love blinds her to many imperfections.

•  The Bundle of Sticks

A Farmer who had a quarrelsome family, after having tried in vain to reconcile them by words, thought he might more readily prevail by an example. So he called his sons and bade them lay a bundle of sticks before him. Then having tied them into a faggot, he told the lads, one after the other, to take it up and break it. They all tried, but tried in vain. Then untying the faggot, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then the father said, “Thus you, my sons, as long as you remain united, are a match for all your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.”

Union gives strength. One for all, and all for one.

•  The Lamp

A Lamp that had grown fat and saucy with too much oil, boasted that it shone brighter than the sun, the moon, and all the stars. At that moment, a puff of wind came and blew it out. On lighting it again, its owner said, “Cease now your boasting, and be content to shine in silence. The lights of Heaven do not blow out. Know that not even the stars need to be relit.”

Self-praise is dispraise.

•  The Owl and the Birds

An Owl, in her wisdom, counselled the Birds that when the acorn first began to sprout, to pull it all up out of the ground and not allow it to grow. She said acorns would produce mistletoe, from which an irremediable poison, the bird-lime, would be extracted and by which they would be captured. The Owl next advised them to pluck up the seed of the flax, which men had sown, as it was a plant which boded no good to them. And, lastly, the Owl, seeing an archer approach, predicted that this man, being on foot, would contrive darts armed with feathers which would fly faster than the wings of the Birds themselves. The Birds gave no credence to these warning words, but considered the Owl to be above herself and said that she was mad. But afterwards, finding her words were true, they wondered at her knowledge and deemed her to be the wisest of birds. Hence it is that when she appears, they look to her as knowing all things, but she no longer gives them advice, and in solitude laments their past folly.

Wisdom, when scorned, keeps silent.

•  The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

An Ass finding a Lion’s skin, put it on, and ranged about the forest. The beasts fled in terror, and he was delighted at the success of his disguise. Meeting a Fox, he rushed upon him, and this time he tried to imitate as well the roaring of the Lion. “Ah,” said the Fox, “if you had held your tongue, I would have been deceived like the rest; but now you bray, I know who you are.”

Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.

No disguise will hide one’s true character.

•  The She-Goats and Their Beards

The She-Goats having obtained a beard by request to Jupiter, the He-Goats were sorely displeased and made complaint that the females equalled them in dignity. “Allow them,” said Jupiter, “to enjoy an empty honour and to assume the badge of your nobler sex, so long as they are not your equals in strength or courage.”

It matters little if those who are inferior to us in merit should be like us in outside appearances.

•  The Old Lion

A Lion, worn out with age, lay drawing his last breath, and several of the beasts who had formerly been sufferers by him came and revenged themselves. The Boar, with his powerful tusks, ripped his flank; and the Bull gored his sides with his horns. When the Ass saw there was no danger, he came up and threw his heels into the Lion’s face. Thereupon, the poor old expiring tyrant, with his dying groan, uttered these words: “I have reluctantly suffered the insults of the brave, but to be compelled to endure such treatment from you, a disgrace to Nature, is indeed to die a double death.”

It is harder to bear the insolence of inferiors than the slights of equals.

It is cowardly to attack the defenceless, though he be an enemy.

•  The Boy Bathing

A Boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a passing traveller 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, “please help me now and scold me afterwards.”

Counsel without help is useless.

•  The Quack Frog

A Frog once upon a time came forth from his home in the marsh and proclaimed to all the beasts that he was a learned physician, skilled in the use of drugs and able to heal all diseases. A Fox asked him, “How can you pretend to prescribe for others, when you are unable to heal your own limping gait, and blotched and wrinkled skin?”

Physician, heal thyself. They who assume to help others should first mend themselves.

Judge a man’s assertions by his practices.

•  The Mouse and the Weasel

A little starveling Mouse had made his way with some difficulty into a basket of corn, where, finding the entertainment so good, he stuffed and crammed himself to such an extent, that when he would have got out again, he found himself too plump to get through the hole. As he sat groaning over his fate, a Weasel, who was brought to the spot by his cries, advised him: “Stay there, my friend, and fast till you are thin; for you will never come out till you reduce yourself to the same condition as when you entered.”

Many difficulties are resolved with patience.

•  The Mouse and the Frog

A Mouse and a Frog formed a friendship, and the Frog had often visited the Mouse’s quarters and been welcome to a share of his food. The Frog invited the Mouse to his house in return; but as this was across the stream, the Mouse, saying that he could not swim, had hitherto declined to go. The Frog, however, one day pressed him so much, offering at the same time to conduct him safely across, that the Mouse consented. One of the forefeet of the Mouse was accordingly bound to one of the hind legs of the Frog by a stout blade of grass, and the friends set off to cross the stream. When about half way across, it treacherously entered the Frog’s head to drown the Mouse. He thought that by that means he should have undivided possession of the latter’s stock of provisions. The Frog made for the bottom of the stream, but the struggles and cries of the Mouse attracted the attention of a Kite, who, pouncing down, and bearing off the Mouse, carried away the Frog at the same time in his train.

Unconsidered and ill-matched alliances generally end in ruin.

The man who plots the destruction of his neighbour, is often caught in his own snare.

•  The Boy and the Nettles

A Boy was stung by a Nettle. He ran home and told his Mother, saying, “Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it gently.”  “That was just why it stung you,” said his Mother. “The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you.”

Whatever you do, do with all your might.

•  The Peasant and the Apple-Tree

A Peasant had in his garden an Apple-Tree which bore no fruit but only served as a harbour for the sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it down, and taking his axe in his hand, made a bold stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him and lighten his labours. He paid no attention to their request, but gave the tree a second and a third blow with his axe. When he reached the hollow of the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his axe, and looking on the tree as sacred, took great care of it.

Self-interest alone moves some men.

•  The Jackdaw and the Doves

A Jackdaw, seeing how well some Doves in a certain dovecote fed, and how happily they lived together, wished much to join them. With this in view, he painted himself white, and slipped in one evening just as it was getting dark. As long as he kept quiet he escaped notice, but growing bolder by degrees, and feeling very jolly in his new quarters, he burst into a hearty laugh. His voice betrayed him. The Doves set upon him and drove him out. When he would afterwards have joined the Jackdaws again, his discoloured feathers and his battered state drew attention to him, and his former mates finding out what he had been at, would let him have no further part with them either.

Curry favour with both, displease both.

•  The Dog In The Manger

A Dog made his bed in a Manger, and by his growling and snapping prevented the oxen from eating the hay which had been placed for them. “What a selfish Dog!” said one of them to his companions; “he cannot eat the hay himself, and yet will let no one else have any.”

Do not begrudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.

•  Jupiter and the Two Bags

Jupiter, it is said, once gave to Man two bags—one for his neighbour’s faults, the other for his own. One was much smaller than the other, and both hung from a strap which was thrown over the shoulder so that one bag should hang in front, and one behind. The Man kept the large one in front for his Neighbours’ faults, and the small one behind for his own, so that, while the first was always under his nose, it took some trouble to see the latter.

This custom, which began thus early, is not quite unknown at the present day.

•  The Oxen and the Axle-Trees

As some Oxen were dragging a wagon along a country road, the Wheels set up a tremendous creaking. “Brute!” cried the driver to the wagon; “Why do you groan, when they who are drawing all the weight are silent?”

They complain most who suffer least.

•  The Boy and the Filberts

A Boy put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the pitcher. Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment. A bystander said to him, “Be satisfied with half the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand.”

Do not attempt too much at once.

•  The Frogs Asking for a King

The Frogs, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. Perceiving their simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs were terrified at the splash, and hid themselves in the depths of the pool. But as soon as they realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began squatting on it in contempt.

After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern them. When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still another King. Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there were none left to croak upon the lake.

Leave well enough alone.
When you seek to change your condition, be sure that you can better it.

•  The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree

The Olive-Tree ridiculed the Fig-Tree because, while she was green all the year round, the Fig-Tree changed its leaves with the seasons. A shower of snow fell upon them, and, finding the Olive full of foliage, it settled upon its branches and broke them down with its weight, at once despoiling it of its beauty and killing the tree. But finding the Fig-Tree bare of leaves, the snow fell through to the ground, and did not injure it at all.

He who has not, fears not to lose.

•  The Lion and the Boar

On a summer day, when the great heat induced a general thirst among the beasts, a Lion and a Boar came at the same moment to a small well to drink. They fiercely disputed which of them should drink first, and were soon engaged in the agonies of a mortal combat. When they stopped suddenly to catch their breath for a fiercer renewal of the fight, they saw some Vultures waiting in the distance to feast on the one that should fall first. They at once made up their quarrel, saying, “It is better for us to make friends, than to become the food of Crows or Vultures.”

In the face of a common danger, small differences are forgotten.

•  The Walnut-Tree

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 blows!”

There are many thoughtless people who return only evil for good.

•  The Man and the Lion

Once upon a time a Man and a Lion were journeying together, and came at length to high words about which was the braver and stronger creature of the two. As the dispute waxed warmer they happened to pass by a statue of a man strangling a lion. “See there,” said the Man; “what more undeniable proof can you have of our superiority than that?”  “That,” said the Lion, “is your version of the story; let us be the sculptors, and for one lion under the feet of a man, you shall have twenty men under the paw of a lion.”

There are two sides to every question.

The truth is in the eye of the storyteller. We can easily represent things as we wish them to be.

•  The Tortoise and the Eagle

A Tortoise was dissatisfied with his lowly Life, when he beheld so many of his neighbours, the birds, disporting themselves in the clouds, and thinking that if he could but once get up into the air, he could soar with the best of them. He called one day upon an Eagle and offered him all the treasures of the Ocean if he could only teach him to fly. The Eagle would have declined the task, assuring him that the thing was not only absurd but impossible, but being further pressed by the entreaties and promises of the Tortoise, he finally consented to do the best he could. So taking him up to a great height and loosing his hold upon him, “Now, then!” cried the Eagle. But the Tortoise, before he could answer him a word, fell plump upon a rock, and was dashed to pieces.

Let everyone stick to his own element.

If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined.
Foolish curiosity and vanity can lead to misfortune.

•  The The Wolf and the Kid

A Kid standing on the roof of a house, out of harm’s way, saw a Wolf passing by and immediately began to taunt and revile him. The Wolf, looking up, replied: “Do not think, silly little creature, that you can annoy me! This ill language that you are using I regard as coming, not from you, but from the place on which you stand. You would be in a different mood if you were down here by my side.”

Time and place often give the advantage to the weak over the strong.

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

•  The Fox Without a Tail

A Fox was once caught in a trap by his tail, and in order to get away, was forced to leave it behind. Knowing that without a tail he would be a laughing-stock for all his fellows, he resolved to try to induce them to part with theirs. So at the next assembly of Foxes he made a speech on the unprofitableness of tails in general, and the inconvenience of a Fox’s tail in particular, adding that he had never felt so easy as since he had given up his own. When he had sat down, a sly old fellow rose, and waving his long brush with a graceful air, said, with a sneer, that if, like the last speaker, he had lost his tail, nothing further would have been needed to convince him; but till such an accident should happen, he should certainly vote in favour of tails.

Misery loves company.
Advice prompted by selfishness shouldn’t be heeded.

•  The Vain Jackdaw

Jupiter determined, it is said, to create a sovereign over the birds, and made proclamation that on a certain day they should all present themselves before him, when he would himself choose the most beautiful among them to be king. The Jackdaw, knowing his own ugliness, searched through the woods and fields, and collected the feathers which had fallen from the wings of his companions, and stuck them in all parts of his body, hoping thereby to make himself the most beautiful of all. When the appointed day arrived, and the birds had assembled before Jupiter, the Jackdaw also made his appearance in his many-feathered finery. But when Jupiter proposed to make him king because of the beauty of his plumage, the birds indignantly protested, and each plucked from him his own feathers, leaving the Jackdaw nothing but a Jackdaw.

Borrowed garments never set well.

Do not hope to succeed in borrowed plumes.

It needs more than fine feathers to make fine birds.

•  The Traveller and His Dog

A Traveller about to set out on a journey saw his Dog stand at the door stretching himself. He asked him sharply: “Why do you stand there yawning? Everything is ready but you, so come with me instantly.” The Dog, wagging his tail, replied: “O, master! I am quite ready; I am waiting for you.”

The loiterer often blames delay on his more active friend.

•  The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea

A Shipwrecked Man, having been cast upon a certain shore, slept after his buffetings with the deep. After a while he awoke, and looking upon the Sea, loaded it with reproaches. He argued that it enticed men with the calmness of its looks, but when it had induced them to plough its waters, it grew rough and destroyed them. The Sea, assuming the form of a woman, replied to him: “Blame not me, my good sir, but the winds, for I am by my own nature as calm and firm even as this earth; but the winds suddenly falling on me create these waves, and lash me into fury.”

Take care to place your blame on the right person.

•  The Wild Boar and the Fox

A Wild Boar stood under a tree and rubbed his tusks against the trunk. A Fox passing by asked him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there was no danger threatening from either huntsman or hound. He replied, “I do it advisedly; for it would never do to have to sharpen my weapons just at the time I ought to be using them.”

Be prepared. It is too late to whet the sword when the trumpet sounds to draw it.

•  The Fawn and Her Mother

A Fawn one day said to her mother, “Mother, you are bigger than a dog, and swifter and better winded, and you have horns to defend yourself; how is it that you are so afraid of the hounds?” She smiled and said, “All this, my child, I know full well; but no sooner do I hear a dog bark, than, somehow or other, my heels take me off as fast as they can carry me.”

There is no arguing a coward into courage.

•  The Fox and the Lion

When the Fox first saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time he came near the King of Beasts, he stayed at a safe distance and gathered sufficient courage to have a good stare. The third time they came near one another, the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony.

Acquaintance softens prejudices.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

•  The Eagle and His Captor

An Eagle was once captured by a man, who clipped his wings and kept him chained to a stump in his yard. A kind-hearted Fowler, seeing the melancholy-looking bird, took pity on him and bought him, and allowed his feathers to grow again. When he was again able to fly, the Fowler gave him his liberty. The first thing the Bird caught was a fine fat Hare, which he brought and gratefully laid at the feet of his benefactor. A Fox, looking on, said that he would have done better to try to make friends with the first Man who had caught him, and who might perhaps catch him yet again, rather than with the second Man, from whom he had nothing to fear. “Your advice may do very well for a Fox,” replied the Eagle; “but it is my nature to serve those who have been kind to me; and to let those who choose such, to be governed by fear.”

Favour those who do you kindness.

•  The Blacksmith And His Dog

There was a certain Blacksmith who had a little Dog. While he hammered away at his metal, the Dog slept; but whenever he sat down to his dinner, the Dog woke up, wagging his tail to be fed. “Sluggard cur!” said the Blacksmith, throwing him a bone; “you sleep through the noise of the anvil, but wake up at the first clatter of my teeth.”

Men are awake enough to their own interests, but turn a deaf ear to their friend’s distress.

•  The Stag at the Pool

A Stag drinking at a clear pool, admired the handsome look of his spreading antlers, but was much displeased at the slim and ungainly appearance of his legs. “What a glorious pair of branching horns!” said he. “How gracefully they hang over my forehead! What an agreeable air they give my face! But as for my spindle-shanks of legs, I am heartily ashamed of them.” The words were scarcely out of his mouth, when he saw some huntsmen and a pack of hounds making towards him. His despised legs soon placed him at a distance from his followers, but, on entering the forest, his horns got entangled at every turn, so that the dogs soon reached him and made an end of him. “Mistaken fool that I was!” he exclaimed; “had it not been for these wretched horns, my legs would have saved my life.”

What is worth most is often valued least.

Prefer usefulness before ornament.

•  The Dog and the Shadow

A Dog had stolen a piece of meat out of a butcher’s shop, and was crossing a river on his way home, when he saw his own reflection in the stream below. Thinking that it was another dog with another piece of meat, he resolved to make himself master of that also; but in snapping greedily at the supposed treasure, he dropped the bit he was carrying, and so lost all.

Those who grasp at the shadow are likely to lose the substance. If you covet all, you lose all.

•  The Mice and the Weasels

The Mice and Weasels had long been at war with each other, and the Mice, being worsted in battle, at length agreed at a meeting, solemnly called for the occasion, that their defeat was due to their lack of discipline, and they decided to elect regular Commanders for the time to come. So they chose those whose valour and prowess most recommended them to the important post. The new Commanders, proud of their position, and wishing to be as conspicuous as possible, bound on their heads lofty crests of feathers or straw. Not long after that, a battle ensued. The Mice, as before, were soon put to flight: the common herd escaped into their holes, but the Commanders, not being able to get in on account of their headgear, were every one caught and devoured by the Weasels.

Greatness carries its own penalties.
There is no distinction without its accompanying danger.

•  The Peacock and Juno

The Peacock complained to Juno that while everyone laughed at his voice, an insignificant creature like the Nightingale had a note that delighted everybody. Juno, angry at the unreasonableness of her favourite bird, scolded him: “Envious bird that you are, I am sure you have no cause to complain. On your neck shine all the colours of the rainbow, and your extended tail shows like a mass of gems. No living being has every good thing to its own share. The falcon is endowed with swiftness; the eagle, strength; the parrot, speech; the raven, the gift of augury; and the nightingale with a melodious note, while you have both size and beauty. Complain no more, or the gifts you have shall be taken away.”

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

•  The Bear and the Fox

A Bear boasted of his excessive love for Man, saying that he never worried or mauled him when dead. The Fox observed, with a smile, “Your kindness would impress me much more,” said a Fox who was listening to this speech, “if I could believe that you paid the same respect to the living that you profess to do to the dead.”

Better save a man from dying than honour him when dead.

•  The Sensible Ass

An Old Man, in time of war, was allowing his Ass to feed in a green meadow, when he was alarmed by a sudden advance of the enemy. He tried every means in his power to urge the Ass to fly, but in vain. “The enemy are upon us!” said he. “And what will the enemy do?” asked the Ass. “Will they put two pairs of panniers on my back, instead of one?”  “No,” answered the Man; “there is no fear of that.”  “Why, then,” replied the Ass, “I’ll not stir an inch. As long as I carry the panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?”

In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.

•  The Frog and the Ox

An Ox, grazing in a swampy meadow, chanced to set his foot on a young Frog and crushed him to death. One that escaped ran off to his mother with the dreadful news; “And, mother!” said he, “it was a beast—such a big four-footed beast!—that did it.”  “Big?” quoth the old Frog, “how big? was it as big”—and she puffed herself out to a great degree—“as big as this?”  “Oh!” said the little one, “a great deal bigger than that.”  “Well, was it so big?” and she swelled herself out yet more. “Indeed, mother, but it was; and if you were to burst yourself, you would never reach half its size.” Provoked at such a disparagement of her powers, the old Frog made one more trial, and burst herself indeed.

So men are ruined by attempting a greatness to which they have no claim.

To attempt too much is to court failure.

•  Hercules and the Wagoner

A Carter was driving a wagon along a country lane, when the wheels sank down deep into a rut. The rustic driver, stupefied and aghast, stood looking at the wagon, and did nothing but utter loud cries to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it is said, appeared and thus addressed him: “Put your shoulders to the wheels, my man. Goad on your oxen, and never more pray to me for help until you have done your best to help yourself, or depend upon it, you will henceforth pray in vain.”

Heaven helps those who help themselves.
It is useless to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.

•  The Pomegranate, the Apple-Tree, and the Bramble

The Pomegranate and Apple-Tree disputed as to which was the most beautiful. When their strife was at its height, a Bramble from the neighbouring hedge lifted up its voice, and said in a boastful tone: “Pray, my dear friends, in my presence at least, cease from such vain disputings.”

The most presuming are often the most insignificant.

•  The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox

A Lion and a Bear seized a Kid at the same moment, and fought for its possession. A fierce battle ensued, and as each animal was in the prime of his age and strength, the combat was long and furious. At last they lay stretched on the ground panting, bleeding, and exhausted, each unable to lift a paw against the other. An impudent Fox coming by at the time, stepped in and carried off the booty. “Poor creatures that we are,” cried they, “who have been exhausting all our strength and injuring one another, merely to give a rogue a dinner!”

It sometimes happens that one man has all the toil, and another all the profit.

•  The Aethiop

A certain man acquired a black servant, and thinking that the colour of his skin arose from the neglect of his former master, he no sooner brought him home than he procured all manner of scouring apparatus, scrubbing brushes, soaps, and sandpaper, and set to work with his servants to wash him white again. They drenched and rubbed him for many an hour, but all in vain; his skin remained as black as ever; while the poor wretch all but died from the cold he caught under the operation.

Labour and industry are to no purpose if the goal is unattainable.

What’s bred in the bone will stick to the flesh. That which is inborn is not easily altered.

•  The Two Soldiers and the Robber

Two Soldiers travelling together were set upon by a Robber. The one fled away; the other stood his ground and defended himself with his stout right hand. The Robber being slain, the timid companion ran up and drew his sword, and then, throwing back his travelling cloak said, “I’ll have at him, and I’ll take care he shall learn whom he has attacked.” On this, he who had fought with the Robber made answer, “I only wish that you had helped me just now, even if it had been only with those words, for I should have been the more encouraged, believing them to be true; but now put up your sword in its sheath and hold your equally useless tongue, till you can deceive others who do not know you. I, who have experienced with what speed you run away, know right well that no dependence can be placed on your valour.”

Actions speak louder than words.

Deeds, not words, help in time of danger.

•  The Lion and Other Beasts, Hunting

The Lion and other beasts formed an alliance to go out a-hunting. When they had taken a fat stag, the Lion proposed himself as commissioner, and dividing it into three parts, thus proceeded: “The first,” said he, “I shall take officially, as king; the second I shall take for my own personal share in the chase; and as for the third part — let him take it who dares.”

Might makes right.

•  The Man and the Satyr

A Man and a Satyr, having struck up an acquaintance, sat down together to eat. The day being wintry and cold, the Man put his fingers to his mouth and blew upon them. “What’s that for, my friend?” asked the Satyr. “My hands are so cold,” said the Man; “I do it to warm them.”

In a little while some hot food was placed before them, and the Man, raising the dish to his mouth, again blew upon it. “What, blowing again!” cried the Satyr. “Is it not hot enough?”  “It is, indeed,” answered the Man; “that is the very reason why I am blowing it. I want to cool it enough to be able to eat it.”

“Be off with you!” said the Satyr, in alarm; “I will have nothing to do with a man who can blow hot and cold from the same mouth.”

Circumstances alter cases.

The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either.

•  The Eagle and the Arrow

An Archer once feathered an Arrow with a feather that had fallen from an Eagle’s wing. It happened shortly afterwards that with this Arrow he shot the very Eagle that had cast the feather. In her mortal agony the Eagle recognised her property, and exclaimed, “Bitter is it to die, but doubly bitter to find that I have helped to speed the means of death!”

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

The misfortunes arising from a man’s own misconduct are the hardest to bear.

•  The Rich Man and the Tanner

A Rich Man lived near a Tanner, and not being able to bear the unpleasant smell of the tan-yard, he pressed his neighbour to go away. The Tanner put off his departure from time to time, saying that he would leave soon. But as he still continued to stay, as time went on, the rich man became accustomed to the smell, and made no further complaints.

Custom becomes second nature.

•  The Nurse and the Wolf

As a Wolf was hunting up and down for his supper, he passed by the door of a house where a little child was crying loudly. “Hold your tongue,” said the Nurse to the child, “or I’ll throw you to the Wolf.” The Wolf, thinking that the old woman would be as good as her word, waited near the house. The Nurse, however, when the child was quiet, changed her tone, and said, “There’s a good dear then; if the naughty Wolf comes for my child, we’ll kill him, we will.” The Wolf thought it was then high time to be off, and, hungry as a wolf indeed, muttered as he went along: “This comes of heeding people who say one thing and mean another!”

Do not believe everything you hear.

Enemies’ promises are made to be broken.

•  The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar

An Old Woman saw an empty Wine-jar lying on the ground. Though not a drop of the fine old wine remained, it still yielded a grateful fragrance to the passers-by. The Old Woman applied her nose as close as she could and sniffed long and eagerly. “Oh, how good must this wine have been!” she exclaimed, “when the very dregs are so delicious.”

The memory of a good deed lives on.

•  The Lioness

There was a great stir among all the Beasts, as to which could boast of the largest family. So they came to the Lioness. “And how many,” said they, “do you have at a birth?”  “Why! I have only one,” said she, grimly; “but that one is a Lion.”

Quality, not quantity. The value is in the worth, not the number.

•  The Viper and the File

A Viper entered a smith’s shop, and looked up and down for something to eat. He settled at last upon a File, and began to gnaw it greedily. “Bite away,” said the File gruffly, “you’ll get little from me. It is my business to take from all and give to none.”

The covetous are poor givers.

•  The Cat and the Cock

A Cat one day caught a Cock, resolved to make a meal of him, and pondered how he might find a reasonable excuse for eating him. He accused the Cock of being a nuisance to men, and asked what defence he had to make: “What reason can you give,” said he, “for your screaming at night so? No honest body can sleep for you.”  “Nay,” answered the Cock, “I only crow in the service of man, to tell him when it is time to commence his labours.”  “What nonsense you talk!” said the Cat; “you are mistaken if you think that such an excuse as that will do me out of my breakfast.”

The want of a good excuse never kept a villain from his crime.

He who excuses himself accuses himself.

•  The Tortoise and the Hare

A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: “Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.” The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, agreed to the contest; and the Fox was selected to act as umpire, and hold the stakes. The rivals started, and the Hare, of course, soon left the Tortoise far behind. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

The race is not always to the swift.
Perseverance is surer than swiftness. Slow but steady can win the race.

•  The Horse and His Rider

A Horse Soldier, in time of war, took great pains to keep his Horse well fed and cared-for, and in first-rate condition. When the war was over, the Soldier’s pay was reduced, and he allowed his Horse, that had carried him nobly through many a hot engagement, to be used for hire in dragging huge logs of timber, and many other rough and disagreeable ways. Being thus poorly fed and badly treated, the animal’s strength and spirit fell away. It was not long before the war was renewed, and the Knight, taking his Horse to himself again, tried, by good feeding and better treatment, to make him into a battle-steed once more. There was no time for this, however; and the Horse, as his weak legs gave way under him in a charge, said to his master, “It is too late now to repair your neglect. You have degraded me from a Horse into an Ass; and how can you expect that I can again turn in a moment from an Ass to a Horse?”

Evil is quickly done but slow to undo.

He who slights his friends when he does not need their best offices must not expect them to help him when he needs them again.

•  The Oxen and the Butchers

The Oxen, once on a time, determined to make an end of the Butchers, whose whole art, they said, was conceived for their destruction. So they assembled together, and had already whetted their horns for the contest, when a very old Ox, who had long worked at the plough, thus addressed them: “Have a care, my friends, what you do. These men, at least, kill us with decency and skill, but if we fall into the hands of botchers instead of butchers, we shall suffer a double death; for be well assured, men will not go without beef, even though they were without butchers.”

Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another.

Sometimes, you must accept the inevitable.

•  The Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf

The Stag once asked the Sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, saying that the Wolf would guarantee payment. The Sheep, suspecting trickery, replied: “The Wolf is a lawless beast, forever plundering and running off; while you yourself are so swift that one moment you are here and the next moment out of sight. How should I find you when the day of payment comes?”

Two blacks do not make a white.
The word of two rogues is no better than the word of one.

•  The Four Oxen and the Lion

A Lion used to prowl about a field in which four Oxen dwelt. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. He therefore began secretly to spread evil and slanderous reports of one against the other, till he had fomented jealousy and distrust amongst them. At last, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.

United we stand; divided we fall.

Divide and conquer.

The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.

•  The Goat and the Vine

There was a Vine teeming with ripe fruit and tender shoots, when a wanton Goat came up and gnawed the bark, and browsed upon the young leaves. “I will revenge myself on you,” said the Vine, “for this insult; for when you are brought as a victim to the sacrificial altar, the juice of my grapes shall be the dew of death upon thy forehead.”

Retribution, though late, comes at last.

•  The Two Pots

Two Pots, one of earthenware, the other of brass, were carried down a river in a flood. The Brazen Pot begged his companion to keep by his side, and he would protect him. “Thank you for your offer,” said the Earthen Pot, “but that is just what I am afraid of; if you will only keep at a distance, I may float down in safety; but should we come in contact, I am sure to be the sufferer.”

Avoid too-powerful neighbours: should there be a collision, the weakest goes to the wall.

Equals make the best friends.

•  The Old Hound

An Old Hound, who had hunted well in his time, encountered in his old age a boar in the chase. He seized him boldly, but from feebleness and the loss of his teeth was forced to let him go. The master, coming up, began to beat the Old Dog cruelly, but left off when the poor animal addressed him as follows: “Spare your old servant! You know well that neither my courage nor my will was at fault, but only my strength and my teeth, and these I have lost in your service. I deserve to be praised for what I have been, rather than to be blamed for what I am.”

Mean natures forget past services.

No one should be blamed for his infirmities.

•  The Buffoon and the Countryman

On the occasion of some festivities that were given by a Rich Nobleman, a droll fellow of a Buffoon caused much laughter by his tricks upon the stage, and especially by his imitation of the squealing of a Pig. It seemed to the listeners so real that they called for it again and again. One man in the audience, however, thought the imitation was not perfect; he made his way to the stage, and said that if he were permitted, he would enter the lists, and squeal against the Buffoon for a wager. The mob, anticipating great fun, shouted their consent, and accordingly, when the next day came, the two rival Jokers were in their place. The hero of the previous day went first, and the hearers, more pleased than ever, fairly roared with delight. Then came the turn of the Countryman, who, having a Pig carefully concealed under his cloak, so that no one would have suspected its existence, vigorously pinched its ear, and made it squeal with a vengeance. “Not half as good—not half as good!” cried the audience, and many among them even began to hiss. “Fine judges you are!” replied the Countryman, rushing to the front of the stage, drawing the Pig from under his cloak, and holding the animal up on high. “Behold the performer that you condemn!”

It is easier to convince a man against his senses than against his will.

Sometimes Art pleases better than Nature.

•  The Lark and Her Young Ones

A Lark had made her nest in the young green wheat. The brood had almost grown, when the owner of the field, overlooking his crop, said: “I must send to all my neighbours to help me with my harvest.” One of the young Larks heard him, and asked his mother to what place they should move for safety. “There is no occasion to move yet, my son,” she replied, “if he depends upon his friends and neighbours, I am sure the corn will not be reaped tomorrow.”

Next day she went out again, and left the same orders as before. The owner came and waited, but nothing was done, for not a soul came. He said to his son, “These friends of ours are not to be depended upon, so run off at once to your uncles and cousins, and say I wish them to come tomorrow morning and help us to reap.” When the Young Ones, in a great fright, reported this to their mother, she said, “Do not be frightened, children. Kindred and relations are not always very forward in helping one another; but keep your ears open, and let me know what you hear tomorrow.”

The owner came the next day, and, finding his relatives as backward as his neighbours, said “I will come myself tomorrow, and will get in the harvest.” Then the Lark said to her brood: “It is time now to be off—he no longer trusts to others to do his work, but means to do it himself.”

Self-help is the best help.

•  The Prophet

A Wizard, sitting in the marketplace, was telling the fortunes of the passers-by when a person ran up in great haste, and announced to him that the doors of his house had been broken open and that all his goods were being stolen. He sighed heavily and hastened away as fast as he could run. A neighbour saw him running and said, “Oh! you fellow there! you say you can foretell the fortunes of others; how is it you did not foresee your own?”

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.

•  The Hound and the Hare

A Dog once gave a long chase to a Hare. The Dog was not at all hungry, and in consequence was in no hurry to put an end to the sport. He would at times, as they ran, snap at the Hare, and at others lick her with his tongue. The persecuted and bewildered Hare, not knowing what to make of him, said: “Are you a friend or an enemy? If a friend, why do you bite me so? If an enemy, why caress me?”

He is no friend who plays double.

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.

•  The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox

A Lion, fatigued by the heat of a summer’s day, fell fast asleep in his den. A Mouse ran over his mane and ears and woke him from his slumbers. He rose up and shook himself in great wrath, and searched every corner of his den to find the Mouse. A Fox seeing him said: “A fine Lion you are, to be frightened of a Mouse.”  “I do not fear the Mouse,” said the Lion; “I resent his bad manners.”

Little liberties are great offences.

•  The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

A Trumpeter, bravely leading the soldiers, was captured by the enemy. He cried out to his captors, “Pray spare me, and do not take my life without cause or without inquiry. I have not slain a single man of your troop. I have no arms, and carry nothing but this one brass trumpet.”  “That is the very reason for which you should be put to death,” they said; “for, while you do not fight yourself, your trumpet stirs all the others to battle.”

Words may be deeds.

He who incites to strife is worse than he who takes part in it.

•  The Wolf and the Crane

A Wolf had got a bone stuck in his throat, and in the greatest agony ran up and down, and offered to reward handsomely any one who would pull it out. A Crane, moved by pity as well as by the prospect of the money, undertook the dangerous task. Having removed the bone, he asked for the promised reward. To which, the Wolf, grinning and showing his teeth, replied with seeming indignation, “Ungrateful creature! to ask for any other reward than that you have put your head into a Wolf’s jaws, and brought it safely out again!”

•  The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow

An Eagle had built her nest in the top branches of an old oak tree; a wild Cat dwelt in a hole about the middle; and in the hollow part at the bottom lived a Sow with a whole litter of pigs. They might have remained there long in contentment, but the Cat, bent upon mischief, crept up one day to the Eagle, and said, “Neighbour, have you noticed what the old Sow who lives below is doing? I believe she is determined upon nothing less than to root up this tree, our abode, and when it falls she will devour our young ones.” This put the Eagle in a great fright, and she did not dare to stir from home lest the tree might fall in her absence. Descending to visit the Sow, the wily Cat said, “Listen to me, my friend. Last night I overheard that old bird who lives over our heads promise her young ones that the very next time you went out they should have one of your dear little piglets for supper,” The Sow, greatly alarmed in her turn, dared not leave her hollow. The mutual fear of the Eagle and the Sow became so great that they and their young ones perished from hunger, and fell a prey to the designing old Cat and her kittens.

Our fears find dangers where none exist.

Those who stir up enmities are not to be trusted. Havoc can be wrought by a man with a false tongue.

•  The Wolf and the Sheep

A Wolf, sorely wounded and bitten by dogs, lay sick and maimed in his lair. Being in want of food, he called to a Sheep who was passing, and asked him to fetch some water from a stream nearby. “For,” he said, “if you will bring me drink, I will find means to provide myself with meat.”  “Yes,” said the Sheep, “if I should bring you the drink, you would doubtless make me provide the meat also.”

Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.

•  The Tunny-Fish and the Dolphin

A Fish called a Tunny [tuna], being pursued by a Dolphin, and driven with great violence, not minding which way he went, was thrown by the force of the waves upon a rock, and left there. His death now was inevitable; but, casting his eyes on one side, he saw the Dolphin in the same condition lie gasping beside him. He said: “Well, I must die, it is true; but I die with pleasure, for I see my persecutor involved in the same fate.”

Revenge is sweet, even in death.

•  The Three Tradesmen

A great city was besieged, and its inhabitants were called together to consider the best means of protecting it from the enemy. A Bricklayer earnestly recommended bricks as affording the best material for an effective resistance. A Carpenter, with equal enthusiasm, proposed timber as a preferable method of defence. Upon which a Tanner stood up and said, “Sirs, I differ from you altogether: there is no material for resistance equal to a covering of hides; and nothing in the present case as good as leather.”

Every man for himself.

•  The Mouse and the Bull

A Bull was bitten by a Mouse and, angered by the wound, tried to capture him. But the Mouse reached his hole in safety. Though the Bull dug into the walls with his horns, he tired before he could rout out the Mouse, and crouching down, went to sleep outside the hole. The Mouse peeped out, crept furtively up his flank, again biting him, and retreated to his hole. The Bull rising up, and not knowing what to do, was sadly perplexed. At which the Mouse said, “The great do not always prevail. There are times when the small and lowly are the strongest to do mischief.”

The battle is not always to the strong.
Do not despise an enemy because he is small.

•  The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

A Country Mouse invited a Town Mouse, an intimate friend, to pay him a visit and partake of his country fare. As they were on the bare ploughlands, eating wheat-stocks and roots pulled up from the hedgerow, the Town Mouse said to his friend, “You live here the life of the ants, while in my house is the horn of plenty. I am surrounded by every luxury, and if you will come with me, as I wish you would, you shall have an ample share of my dainties.” The Country Mouse was easily persuaded, and returned to town with his friend. On his arrival, the Town Mouse placed before him bread, barley, beans, dried figs, honey, raisins, and, last of all, brought a dainty piece of cheese from a basket. The Country Mouse, being much delighted at the sight of such good cheer, expressed his satisfaction in warm terms and lamented his own hard fate. Just as they were beginning to eat, someone opened the door, and they both ran off squeaking, as fast as they could, to a hole so narrow that two could only find room in it by squeezing. They had scarcely begun their repast again when someone else entered to take something out of a cupboard, whereupon the two Mice, more frightened than before, ran away and hid themselves. At last the Country Mouse, almost famished, said to his friend: “Although you have prepared for me so dainty a feast, I must leave you to enjoy it by yourself. It is surrounded by too many dangers to please me. I prefer my bare ploughlands and roots from the hedgerow, where I can live in safety, and without fear.”

East or west, home is best.

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

•  The Lion and the Bull

A Lion, greatly desiring to capture a Bull, and yet afraid to attack him on account of his great size, resorted to a trick to ensure his destruction. He approached the Bull and said, “I have slain a fine sheep, my friend; and if you will come home and partake of him with me, I shall be delighted to have your company.” The Lion said this in the hope that, as the Bull was in the act of reclining to eat, he might attack him to advantage, and make his meal on him. The Bull, on approaching the Lion’s den, saw the huge spits and giant cauldrons, and no sign whatever of the sheep, and, without saying a word, quietly took his departure. The Lion inquired why he went off so abruptly without a word of salutation to his host, who had not given him any cause for offence. “I have reasons enough,” said the Bull. “I see no indication whatever of your having slaughtered a sheep, while I do see very plainly every preparation for your dining on a bull.”

The net is spread in vain in view of the bird.

•  The Monkey Holding Court

The Wolf once accused the Fox of having robbed him. The Fox denied that she had stolen anything. The two were brought before Judge Monkey to decide between them. When each in turn had stated his side of the case, the Monkey rendered judgment as follows:

“It is evident, Mr. Wolf, that you have not lost what you claim! But it is equally evident, Mrs. Fox, that you did take what you so glibly deny!”

He who once earns a reputation for lying will not be believed even when he tells the truth.

•  The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle

Two Game Cocks were fiercely fighting for the mastery of the farmyard. One at last put the other to flight. The vanquished Cock skulked away and hid himself in a quiet corner, while the conqueror, flying up to a high wall, flapped his wings and crowed “Victory!” with all his might. Just then an Eagle sailing through the air pounced upon him and carried him off in his talons. The vanquished Cock immediately came out of his corner, and ruled henceforth with undisputed mastery.

Pride comes before a fall.

•  The Farmer and the Fox

A Farmer, who bore a grudge against a Fox for robbing his poultry yard, caught him at last, and being determined to take an ample revenge, tied some rope well soaked in oil to his tail, and set it on fire. The Fox by a strange fate rushed through the fields of the Farmer who had captured him. It was the time of the wheat harvest; but the Farmer reaped nothing that year and returned home grieving sorely.

Revenge is apt to recoil upon itself.

•  Venus and the Cat

A Cat fell in love with a handsome young man, and entreated Venus to change her into the form of a woman. Venus consented to her request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride. While the two were reclining in their chamber, Venus, wishing to discover if the Cat in her change of shape had also altered her habits of life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. The young bride sprang from the arms of her husband, caught the Mouse, and killed it. Venus was much disappointed, and determined that form and nature should no longer disagree, changed her back again to a Cat.

Nature will out.
What is bred in the bone, will never leave the flesh.

•  The Raven and the Swan

A Raven saw a Swan and envied the beauty of his plumage. Supposing that the Swan’s splendid white colour arose from his washing in the water in which he swam, the Raven left the altars in the neighbourhood where he picked up his living, and took up residence in the lakes and pools. But washing his feathers as often as he would, he could not change their colour, and he soon perished for want of his usual food.

Change of scene is not change of nature.

•  The One-Eyed Doe

A Doe that had but one eye, used to graze near the sea, so that she might keep her blind eye towards the water, while she surveyed the country and saw that no hunters came near, with the other. It happened, however, that some men in a boat saw her, and as she did not see their approach, they came very close, and one who had a gun fired and shot her. In her dying agony she cried out, “Ill-fated creature that I am! I was safe on the land-side whence I expected to be attacked, but find an enemy in the sea to which I most looked for protection.”

Misfortune often assails us from an unexpected quarter.

You cannot escape your fate.

•  The Fly and the Draught-Mule

A Fly sat on the axle-tree of a chariot, and addressing the Draught-Mule said, “How slow you are! Why do you not go faster? See if I do not prick your neck with my sting.” The Draught-Mule replied, “I do not heed your threats; I only care for him who sits above you, and who quickens my pace with his whip, or holds me back with the reins. Away, therefore, with your insolence, for I know very well when to go fast, and when to go slow.”

The commands of inferiors go unheeded.

•  The Cock and the Jewel

A brisk young Cock scratching for something with which to entertain his favourite hens, happened to turn up a jewel. Feeling quite sure that it was something precious, but not knowing well what to do with it, he addressed it with an air of affected wisdom: “You are a very fine thing, no doubt, but you are not at all to my taste. For my part, I would rather have one grain of dear delicious barley than all the jewels in the world.”

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.
What is valuable to one may be worthless to another.

Some people despise what is precious only because they cannot understand it.

•  The Wolf and the Shepherd

A Wolf followed a flock of sheep for a long time and did not attempt to injure one of them. The Shepherd at first stood on his guard against him, as against an enemy, and kept a strict watch over his movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the company of the sheep and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than as a threat against it; and when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had the opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed the greater part of the flock. When the Shepherd returned to find his flock destroyed, he exclaimed: “I have been rightly served. Why did I not know better than to trust my Sheep to their worst enemy?”

A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy.

An evil mind will show in evil action, sooner or later.

•  The Farmer and the Stork

A Farmer set a net in his fields, to snare the Cranes and Geese which came to feed upon the newly sprouting corn. He caught several, and with them a Stork, who pleaded hard for his life, on the ground that he was neither a Goose nor a Crane, but a poor, harmless Stork. “I am a Stork, a bird of excellent character; and see how I love and slave for my father and mother. Look too, at my feathers—they are not the least like those of a Crane.”  “That may be very true,” replied the Farmer; “but as I have taken you in bad company, you must expect to suffer the same punishment.”

Bad company proves more than fair possessions.

Birds of a feather flock together; you are known by the company you keep.

•  The Charger and the Miller

A War Horse, feeling the infirmities of age, was sent to work in a mill instead of going out to battle. But when he was compelled to grind corn instead of serving in the wars, he bewailed his change of fortune and called to mind his former state, saying, “Ah! Miller, I had indeed to go campaigning before, but I was barbed from counter to tail, and a man went along to groom me; and now I cannot understand what ailed me to prefer the mill before the battle.” The Miller said to him, “Stop harping on what is past; everyone must endure the ups and downs of fortune.”

What’s past is past.

•  The Grasshopper and the Owl

An Owl who was sitting in a hollow tree, dozing away a summer’s afternoon, was very much disturbed by a rogue of a Grasshopper singing in the grass beneath. So far from keeping quiet, or moving away at the request of the Owl, the Grasshopper sang all the more, and called her an old blinker that only came out at night when all honest people had gone to bed. The Owl waited in silence for a time, and then said in her pleasantest manner: “Well, my dear, if one cannot be allowed to sleep, it is something to be kept awake by such a pleasant voice. And now I think of it, I have a bottle of delicious nectar. If you will come up, you shall have a drop.” The silly Grasshopper, came hopping up to the Owl, who at once caught and killed him, and finished her nap in comfort.

Trickery sometimes avails where reason fails.

Flattery is not a proof of admiration.

•  The Ants and the Grasshopper

The Ants were spending a fine winter’s day drying grain collected in the summertime. A Grasshopper, perishing with famine, passed by and earnestly begged for a little food. The Ants inquired of him, “Why did you not treasure up food during the summer?” He replied, “I had not leisure enough. I passed the days in singing.” They then said in derision: “If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supperless to bed in the winter.”

Winter finds out what Summer lays by.
It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

You reap only what you sow.

Idleness brings want.

•  The Farmer and the Snake

One winter a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had pity on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting a mortal wound. “Oh,” cried the Farmer with his last breath, “I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel.”

Kindness is thrown away upon the ungrateful.
Expect no gratitude from the wicked.

•  The Two Frogs

Two Frogs were neighbours. One inhabited a deep pond, far removed from public view; the other lived in a gully containing little water, and traversed by a country road. The Frog that lived in the pond warned his friend to change his residence and entreated him to come and live with him, saying that he would enjoy greater safety and more abundant food. The other refused, saying that he felt it so very hard to leave a place to which he had become accustomed. A few days afterwards a heavy wagon passed through the gully and crushed him to death under its wheels.

Wilful people will not listen to reason.

•  The Cobbler Turned Doctor

A clumsy and unsuccessful Cobbler, made desperate by poverty, went to a strange town and began to practise medicine. He sold a drug which he falsely claimed was an antidote for all poisons, and obtained a great reputation, thanks to his high-sounding advertisements. It happened that the Mayor of the town, finding himself indisposed, sent for this new Doctor; but decided to first put him to a test. He called for a cup, and while pouring in water pretended that he was mixing poison with the Cobbler’s antidote, and proposed that they should drink it together on a wager. Immediately, the Cobbler, under fear of death, confessed that he had no skill in the art of medicine, and owed his fame only to the credulity of the crowd.

The Mayor forthwith called a public meeting, and addressed the citizens: “Consider the folly of which you have been guilty! You have not hesitated to entrust your lives to a man whom no one would trust even to make the shoes for their feet.”

The folly of many makes the fortune of one.

•  The Ass, the Cock, and the Lion

An Ass and a Cock lived in a farmyard together. One day a hungry Lion passing by and seeing the Ass in good condition, resolved to make a meal of him. Now, they say that there is nothing a Lion hates so much as the crowing of a Cock; and at that moment the Cock happened to crow. The Lion at once ran off with all haste from the spot. The Ass, believing that it was from fear of himself that the Lion fled, pursued him, delighted with the notion of driving the king of beasts before him. As soon as they were out of hearing of the Cock, the Lion turned round upon the Ass, and made an end of him in a trice.

Presumption begins in ignorance and ends in ruin.

•  The Belly and the Members

The Members of the Body once rebelled against the Belly, who, they said, led an idle, lazy life at their expense. The Hands declared that they would not again lift a crust even to keep him from starving, the Mouth that it would not take in a bit more food, the Legs that they would carry him about no longer, and so on with the others. The Belly quietly allowed them to follow their own courses, well knowing that they would all soon come to their senses, as indeed they did, when, for want of the blood and nourishment supplied from the stomach, they found themselves fast becoming mere skin and bone.

As in the body, so in the state: each member in his proper sphere must work for the common good of all.

•  The Bald Man and the Fly

A Fly bit the bare head of a Bald Man who, endeavouring to destroy it, gave himself a heavy slap. Escaping, the Fly said mockingly, “You who have wished to revenge, even with death, the prick of a tiny insect, see what you have done to yourself to add insult to injury?” The Bald Man replied, “I can easily make peace with myself, because I know there was no intention to hurt. But you, an ill-favoured and contemptible insect who delights in sucking human blood, I wish that I could have killed you even if I had incurred a heavier penalty.”

No offence should be taken where none is intended.

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

•  The Ass and the Wolf

An Ass feeding in a meadow saw a Wolf approaching to seize him, and immediately pretended to be lame. The Wolf, coming up, inquired the cause of his lameness. The Ass replied that passing through a hedge he had trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn. He requested that the Wolf pull it out, lest when he ate him it should injure his throat. The Wolf consented and examined the foot, and was giving his whole mind to the discovery of the thorn, when the Ass kicked his teeth into his mouth and galloped away. The Wolf, so fearfully mauled, said, “I am rightly served, for why did I attempt the art of healing, when my father only taught me the trade of a butcher?”

Every man to his own trade.

•  The Monkey and the Camel

At a great meeting of the Beasts, the Monkey stood up to dance. Having greatly distinguished himself, and being applauded by all present, it roused the envy of the Camel, who came forward and began to dance also; but he made himself so utterly absurd, that all the Beasts in indignation set upon him and drove him out of the assembly.

Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach.

It is foolish vanity to try to ape our betters.

•  The Travellers and the Plane-Tree

Two Travellers, worn out by the heat of the summer’s sun, laid themselves down at noon under the widespreading branches of a Plane-Tree. As they rested under its shade, one of the Travellers said to the other, “What a singularly useless tree is the Plane! It bears no fruit, and is not of the least service to man.” The Plane-Tree, interrupting him, said, “You ungrateful fellows! Do you, while receiving benefits from me and resting under my shade, dare to describe me as useless, and unprofitable?”

Ingratitude is as blind as it is base.

Some men despise their best blessings because they come without cost.

•  The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat

Once upon a time there was a fierce war waged between the Birds and the Beasts. For a long while the issue of the battle was uncertain, and the Bat, taking advantage of his ambiguous nature, kept aloof and remained neutral. At length, when the Beasts seemed to prevail, the Bat joined their forces and appeared active in the fight. But a rally was made by the Birds, which proved successful, and he was found at the end of the day among the ranks of the winning party.

A peace being speedily concluded, the Bat’s treachery was condemned by both parties alike. Now being acknowledged by neither side and excluded from the terms of the truce, he was obliged to skulk off as best he could, and has ever since lived in holes and corners, never daring to show his face except in the duskiness of twilight.

Hypocrites discovered are outcasts.

He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.

•  The Man and His Two Sweethearts

A middle-aged Man, whose hair had begun to turn grey, courted two women at the same time. One of them was young, and the other well advanced in years. The elder woman, ashamed to be courted by a man younger than herself, made a point, whenever her admirer visited her, to pull out some portion of his black hairs. The younger, on the contrary, not wishing to become the wife of an old man, was equally zealous in removing every grey hair she could find. Thus it came to pass that between them both he very soon found that he had not a hair left on his head.

Yield to all and you will soon have nothing to yield.

•  The Eagle and the Jackdaw

A Crow watched an Eagle swoop with a majestic air from a neighbouring cliff upon a flock of Sheep, and carry away a Lamb in his talons. The whole thing looked so graceful and so easy, that the Crow at once proceeded to imitate it. Pouncing upon the back of the largest and fattest Ram he could see, he tried to make off with it. He found not only that he could not move the Ram, but that his claws got so entangled in the animal’s fleece, that he could not get away himself. He therefore became an easy prey to the Shepherd, who caught him, clipped his wing feathers, and gave him to his children for a plaything. “What kind of bird is this, father, that you have brought us?” exclaimed the children. “Why,” said he, “if you ask himself, he will tell you that he is an Eagle; but if you will take my word for it, I know him to be only a Jackdaw.”

Envy without prudence leads astray.

If you attempt what is beyond your power, your trouble will be wasted and you court not only misfortune but ridicule.

•  The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass

A Miller and his Son were driving their Ass to a neighbouring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop of women collected round a well, talking and laughing. “Look there,” cried one of them, “did you ever see such fellows, to be trudging along the road on foot when they might ride?” The old man hearing this, quickly made his Son mount the Ass, and continued to walk along merrily by his side. Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate. “There,” said one of them, “it proves what I was a-saying. What respect is shown to old age in these days? Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk? Get down, you young scapegrace, and let the old man rest his weary limbs.” Upon this the old Man made his Son dismount, and got up himself. In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met a company of women and children: “Why, you lazy old fellow,” cried several tongues at once, “how can you ride upon the beast, while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you?” The good-natured Miller immediately took up his Son behind him. They had now almost reached the town. “Pray, honest friend,” said a townsman, “is that Ass your own?”  “Yes,” replied the old man. “Oh! One would not have thought so,” said the other, “by the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you.”  “Anything to please you,” said the old Man; “we can but try.” So, alighting with his Son, they tied the legs of the Ass together and with the help of a pole endeavoured to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town. This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it, till the Ass, not liking the noise nor the strange handling that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound him and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. Upon this, the old Man, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, convinced that by endeavouring to please everybody he had pleased nobody, and lost his Ass into the bargain.

Since you cannot please everybody, please yourself.

•  The Hart and the Vine

A Hart, pursued by hunters, concealed himself among the branches of a Vine. The hunters passed by without discovering him, and when he thought that all was safe, he began browsing upon the leaves that had concealed him. But one of the hunters, attracted by the rustling, turned round, and guessing that their prey was there, shot into the bush and killed him. The Hart, at the point of death, groaned: “It serves me right, for I should not have mistreated the Vine that saved me.”

Ingratitude sometimes brings its own punishment.

•  The Lamb and the Wolf

A Lamb pursued by a Wolf took refuge in a temple. Upon this the Wolf called out to him, and said that the priest would slay him if he caught him. “Be it so,” said the Lamb: “it is better to be sacrificed to God, than to be devoured by you.”

Of two evils, choose the least.

•  The Bowman and the Lion

A Man who was very skilful with his bow, went up into the mountains to hunt. At his approach there was instantly a great consternation and rout among all the wild beasts, the Lion alone showing any determination to fight. “Stop,” said the Bowman to him, “and await my messenger, who has something to say to you.” With that he sent an arrow after the Lion, and wounded him in the side. The Lion, smarting with anguish, fled into the depth of the thickets, but a Fox seeing him run, bade him take courage, and face his enemy. “No,” said the Lion, “you will not persuade me to that; for if the messenger he sends is so sharp, what must be the power of him who sends it?”

Be on guard against men who can strike from a distance.

•  The Wolf and the Goat

A Wolf saw a Goat feeding on a high precipice where he could not reach her. He begged her to come down lower, for fear she would miss her footing at that dizzy height; “and moreover,” said he, “the grass is far sweeter and more abundant here below.” But the Goat replied: “Excuse me; it is not for my dinner that you invite me, but for your own.”

Beware of a friend with an ulterior motive.

•  The Sick Stag

A Stag that had fallen sick, lay down on the rich herbage of a lawn, close to a wood, that he might obtain an easy pasturage. But so many of the beasts came to see him—for he was a good sort of neighbour—that one taking a little, and another a little, they ate up all the grass in the place. So, although recovering from his disease, he died for want of the food which his friends had eaten for him.

Good will is worth little unless it is accompanied by good acts.

Thoughtless companions are no comfort, and bring more hurt than profit.

•  The Ass and the Mule

A full-fed, lazy Horse was travelling along in company with a heavily-laden Ass, belonging to the same master. The Ass, whose back was nearly breaking with his load, asked the Horse, for the sake of common kindness, to take a portion of it. The Horse, in his pride and ill-nature, refused; and the poor Ass, after staggering on a little further, fell down and died. The master then laid the whole of the burden atop the Horse’s load, and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass. The Horse, groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself: “I am treated according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well.”

A disobliging temper carries its own punishment along with it.

Laziness often prepares a burden for its own back.

The burden selfishly got should be patiently borne.

•  The Brother and the Sister

A Father had one son and one daughter. The lad was a handsome young fellow, but the girl was as plain as a girl can well be. The latter, provoked beyond endurance by the way in which her Brother looked in the glass and made remarks to her disadvantage, went to her father and complained of it. The father drew his children to him very tenderly, and said, “My dears, I wish you both to look in the glass every day. You, my son, that, seeing your face is handsome, you may take care not to spoil it by ill-temper and bad behaviour; and you, my daughter, that you may be encouraged to make up for your want of beauty by the sweetness of your manners, and the grace of your conversation.”

Handsome is as handsome does.

•  The Heifer and the Ox

A Heifer that ran wild in the fields and had never felt the yoke, mocked an Ox at plough for submitting to such labour and drudgery, while she happily did as she pleased. The Ox said nothing, but went on with his work. Not long after, there was a great festival. The Ox got his holiday: but the Heifer was led off to be sacrificed at the altar. “If this be the end of your idleness,” said the Ox, “I think that my work is better than your play. I had rather my neck felt the yoke than the axe.”

Labour is life.

•  The Kingdom of the Lion

The Beasts of the field and forest had a Lion as their king. He was neither wrathful, cruel, nor tyrannical, but just and gentle as a king could be. During his reign he made a royal proclamation for a general assembly of all the birds and beasts, and drew up conditions for a universal league, in which the Wolf and the Lamb, the Panther and the Kid, the Tiger and the Stag, the Dog and the Hare, should live together in perfect peace and amity. The Hare said, “Oh, how I have longed to see this day, in which the weak shall take their place with impunity by the side of the strong.” And after the Hare said this, she ran for her life.

Nature will out.
Never trust sweet words spoken by someone whose mouth is full of sharp fangs.

•  The Ass and His Driver

An Ass, being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was at the point of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail, endeavouring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his effort, the man let him go and said, “Conquer, but conquer to your cost.”

Wilfulness must go its own way and pay the penalty.

•  The Lion and the Hare

A Lion came across a Hare, who was fast asleep. He was just in the act of seizing her, when a fine young Hart trotted by, and he left the Hare to follow him. The Hare, scared by the noise, awoke and scudded away. The Lion was unable after a long chase to catch the Hart, and returned to feed upon the Hare. On finding that the Hare also had run off, he said, “I am rightly served, for having let go of the food that I had in my hand for the chance of obtaining more.”

Take the opportunity at hand.

Better second best than nothing at all.

•  The Wolves and the Sheepdogs

The Wolves thus addressed the Sheepdogs: “Why should you, who are like us in so many things, not be entirely of one mind with us, and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in one point only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and put collars on your necks. They make you guard their sheep, and while they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the sheep, and we will enjoy them in common, till we all are surfeited.” The Dogs listened favourably to these proposals, and, entering the den of the Wolves, they were immediately set upon and torn to pieces.

Traitors richly deserve their fate.

•  The Trees and the Axe

A Woodman came into a forest to ask the Trees to give him a handle for his Axe. It seemed so modest a request that the principal Trees at once agreed to it, and it was settled among them that the plain homely Ash should furnish what was wanted. No sooner had the Woodman fitted the staff to his purpose, than he began laying about him on all sides, felling the noblest Trees in the wood. The Oak, now seeing the whole matter too late, whispered to the Cedar, “The first concession has lost all; if we had not sacrificed our humble neighbour, we might have yet stood for ages ourselves.”

In yielding the rights of others, we may endanger our own.

•  The Astronomer

An Astronomer used to walk out every night to gaze upon the stars. It happened one night, that, as he was wandering in the outskirts of the city, with his whole thoughts wrapped up in the skies, he fell into a well. He lamented and bewailed his sores and bruises, and cried loudly for help. A neighbour ran to the well, and, learning what had happened, said: “My good man, while you are trying to pry into the mysteries of the heavens above, you fail to see what is at your feet.”

Star-gazers make poor path-finders. We should never look so high as to miss seeing things around us.

•  The Serpent and the Man

A Snake, having made his hole close to a cottage, inflicted a mortal bite on the Cottager’s infant son. Grieving over his loss, the Father resolved to kill the Snake. The next day, when it came out of its hole for food, he took up his axe, but by swinging too hastily, missed its head and cut off only the end of its tail. After some time the Cottager, afraid that the Snake would bite him also, endeavoured to make peace, and placed some bread and salt in the hole. “It won’t do,” hissed out the Snake. “As long as I miss my tail, and you your Child, there can be no good will between us.”

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.

•  The Ass and His Purchaser

A Man wished to purchase an Ass, and agreed with its owner that he should try out the animal before he bought him. He took the Ass home and put him in the farmyard with his other Asses, upon which the new animal left all the others and at once joined the one that was most idle and the greatest eater of them all. Seeing this, the man put a halter on him and led him back to his owner. On being asked how, in so short a time, he could have made a trial of him, he answered, “I do not need a trial; I know that he will be just the same as the one he chose for his companion.”

A man is known by the company he keeps.

•  The Kid Pursued by the Wolf

A Kid that had strayed from the herd was pursued by a Wolf. Seeing he could not escape, he turned round, and said: “I know, friend Wolf, that I must be your prey, but before I die I would ask of you one favour—that you will play me a tune to which I may dance.”

The Wolf complied, and while he was piping and the Kid was dancing, some hounds hearing the music ran up and began chasing the Wolf. Turning to the Kid, he said, “It is just what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have turned piper to please you.”

He who plays the fool will miss the prize.

Do not let anything turn you from your purpose.

•  The Herdsman and the Lost Calf

A Herdsman lost a Calf from the fold. After a long and fruitless search, he prayed to Jupiter, and promised to sacrifice a Kid if he would help him to find the thief. He then went on a little further, and suddenly came upon a Lion, feeding upon the Calf. “Great Jupiter!” cried the Man, “I promised you a Kid, if you would show me the thief. I now offer you a full-grown Bull, if you will mercifully deliver me safe from his clutches.”

Granted prayers are sometimes curses. Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they were granted.

•  The Mule

A Mule that had grown fat and frolicsome on too good an allowance of corn and too little work, was one day jumping and kicking about, and at length, cocking up her tail, exclaimed, “My mother was a Racing Horse, and I am quite as good as ever she was.” The next day, after being driven a long journey, and feeling very wearied, she remembered all at once that her father was an Ass.

Every truth has two sides; it is well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.

•  The Man and His Two Daughters

A Man who had two daughters, one married to a Gardener, the other to a Potter. After a while he paid a visit to the Gardener’s, and asked his daughter how she was, and how it fared with her. “Excellently well,” said she; “we have everything that we want; I have but one prayer, that we may have a heavy storm of rain to water our plants.” Off he set to the Potter’s, and asked his other daughter how matters went with her. “There is not a thing we want,” she replied; “and I only hope this fine weather and hot sun may continue, to bake our tiles.”  “Alack,” said the Father, “if you wish for fine weather, and your sister for rain, which am I to pray for myself?”

Opposing desires cannot be reconciled.

•  The Thief and the Innkeeper

A Thief hired a room in a tavern and stayed a while in the hope of stealing something which should enable him to pay his bill. When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the Innkeeper, dressed in a new and handsome coat, sitting before his door. The Thief sat down beside him and talked with him. As the conversation began to flag, the Thief yawned terribly and at the same time howled like a wolf. The Innkeeper said, “Why do you howl so fearfully?”  “I will tell you,” said the Thief, “but first let me ask you to hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to pieces. I know not, sir, when I got this habit of yawning, nor whether these attacks of howling were inflicted on me as a judgment for my crimes, or for any other cause; but this I do know, that when I yawn for the third time, I actually turn into a wolf and attack men.” With this speech he began a second fit of yawning and again howled like a wolf . The Innkeeper, hearing his tale and believing what he said, became greatly alarmed and, rising from his seat, attempted to run away. The Thief laid hold of his coat and entreated him to stop, saying, “Pray wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to pieces in my fury, when I turn into a wolf.” At the same moment he yawned the third time and set up a terrible howl. The Innkeeper, frightened lest he should be attacked, left his new coat in the Thief’s hand and ran as fast as he could into the inn for safety. The Thief made off with the coat and did not return again to the inn.

Every tale is not to be believed.

•  The Ass and the Charger

An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and carefully provided for, while he himself had scarcely enough to eat, nor even that without hard work. But war broke out, and the heavily-armed soldier mounted the Horse, and riding him to the charge, rushed into the very midst of the enemy, and the Horse, being wounded, fell dead on the battlefield. Then the Ass, seeing all these things, changed his mind, and pitied the Horse, saying: “How much more fortunate am I than a charger. I can remain at home in safety while he is exposed to all the perils of war.”

Better humble security than gilded danger.

Advantages that are dearly bought are doubtful blessings.

•  The Ass And His Masters

An Ass that belonged to a Gardener, was weary of carrying heavy burdens, and prayed to Jupiter to give him a new master. Jupiter granted his prayer, and gave him for a master a Potter, who made him carry heavier burdens than before. Again he came to Jupiter, and besought him to grant him a milder master, or at any rate, a different one. The god, laughing at his folly, contrived that he should be sold to a Tanner. The Ass was worked harder than ever, and soon upbraided himself for his stupidity. “Now,” said he, “I have a master who not only beats me while I live, but who will not spare my hide even when I am dead.”

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

Servants don’t appreciate a good master till they have served a worse.

•  The Two Frogs and the Well

Two Frogs dwelt in the same pool. When the pool dried up under the summer’s heat, they left it and set out together for another home. As they went along they chanced to pass a deep well, amply supplied with water, and when they saw it, one of the Frogs said to the other, “Let us descend and make our abode in this well: it will furnish us with shelter and food.” The other replied with greater caution, “But suppose the water should fail us. How can we get out again from so great a depth?”

Do nothing without a regard to the consequences.

•  The Crab and the Fox

A Crab, forsaking the seashore, chose a neighbouring green meadow as its feeding ground. A Fox came across him, and being very hungry, ate him up. Just as he was on the point of being eaten, the Crab said, “I well deserve my fate, for what business had I on the land, when by my nature and habits I am only adapted for the sea?”

Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness.

•  The Jackass in Office

An Ass carrying an Image in a religious procession, was driven through a town, and all the people who passed by made a low reverence. Upon this, the Ass supposing that they intended this worship for himself, was mightily puffed up, and would not budge another step. But the driver soon laid the stick across his back, saying, “You silly dolt! it is not you that they reverence, but the Image which you carry.”

Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.

They are not wise who give to themselves the credit due to others.

•  The Goat and the Goatherd

A Boy, whose task it was to look after some Goats, as night began to fall, gathered them together to lead them home. One of the number, a She-Goat, refused to obey his call, and stood on a ledge of a rock, nibbling the grass that grew there. The Boy lost all patience, and taking up a great stone, threw it at the Goat with all his force. The stone struck one of the Goat’s horns, and broke it off at the middle. The Boy, terrified at what he had done and fearing his master’s anger, threw himself upon his knees before the Goat, and begged her to say nothing about the mishap, alleging that it was far from his intention to aim the stone so well. “Tush!” replied the Goat. “Let my tongue be ever so silent, my horn is sure to tell the tale.”

It’s no use trying to hide what can’t be hidden.

Facts speak louder than words.

•  The Sheep and the Dog

The Sheep one day complained to the Shepherd that while they were shorn of their fleece, and their young ones often taken and killed for food, they received nothing in return but the green herbage of the earth, which grew of itself, and cost him nothing. “On the other hand,” said they, “your Dog, which gives no wool, and is of no use for food, is petted and fed with as good meat as his master.”  “Peace, bleating simpletons!” exclaimed the Dog, who overheard them; “were it not that I look after and watch you, and keep off Wolves and thieves, small good to you would be your herbage or anything else.”

Consider all the facts before you judge.

•  The Lion and the Elephant

The Lion complained most sadly that a beast with such claws, teeth, and strength as he possessed, should yet be moved to a state of abject terror at the crowing of a Cock. “Can life be worth having,” said he, “when so vile a creature has the power to rob it of its charms?” Just then, a huge Elephant came along, flapping his ears quickly to and fro, with an air of great concern. “What troubles you so?” said the Lion to the Elephant. “Can any mortal thing have power to harm a beast of your tremendous bulk and strength?”  “Do you see this little buzzing Gnat?” replied the Elephant; “let him but sting the inmost recesses of my ear, and I shall go mad with pain.” The Lion thereupon took heart again, and determined not to let troubles, which he shared in common with all created things, blind him to what was pleasant in life.

None is so great as to be free from weaknesses.

Little miseries are the greatest torments.

•  The Piglet and the Sheep

A young Piglet took up his quarters in a fold of Sheep. One day the shepherd laid hold of him, and he squealed and struggled with all his might and main. The Sheep reproached him for crying out, and said, “The master often lays hold of us, and we do not cry.”  “Yes,” he replied, “but our case is not the same; he only wants you for your wool, but he wants me for bacon!”

We do not feel a danger that is not our own.

It is easy to be brave when there is no danger.

•  The Rivers and the Sea

Once upon a time the Rivers combined against the Sea, and, going in a body, accused her, saying: “Why is it that when we Rivers pour our waters into you so fresh and sweet, you straightway render them salt and unpalatable?” The Sea, observing the temper in which they came, merely answered: “If you do not wish to become salt, please keep away from me altogether.”

Those who are most benefited are often the first to complain.

•  The Lion in Love

It happened in days of old that a Lion fell in love with a Woodman’s daughter; and had the folly to ask her of her father in marriage. The Woodman was not much pleased with the offer, and declined the honour of so dangerous an alliance. But upon the Lion threatening him with his royal displeasure, the poor man, seeing that so formidable a creature was not to be denied, hit at length upon this expedient: “I feel greatly flattered,” said he, “with your proposal; but, noble sir, what great teeth you have got! and what great claws you have got! Where is the damsel that would not be frightened at such weapons as these? You must have your teeth drawn and your claws cut before you can be a suitable bridegroom for my daughter.” The Lion straightway submitted (for what will a body not do for love?) and then called upon the father to accept him as a son-in-law. But the Woodman, no longer afraid of the tamed and disarmed bully, seized a stout cudgel and drove the unreasonable suitor from his door.

A man in love bids farewell to prudence.

•  The Wolf and the Horse

A Wolf coming out of a field of oats met a Horse and thus addressed him: “I would advise you to go into that field. It is full of fine oats, which I have left untouched for you, as you are a friend whom I would love to hear enjoying good eating.” The Horse replied, “A pretty fellow! If oats had been the food of wolves, you would never have indulged your ears at the cost of your belly.”

Little thanks are due to him who only gives away what is of no use to himself.

•  The Wasp and the Snake

A Wasp seated himself upon the head of a Snake and, striking him unceasingly with his stings, wounded him to death. The Snake, being in great torment and not knowing how to rid himself of his enemy, saw a wagon heavily laden with wood, and went and purposely placed his head under the wheels, saying, “At least my enemy and I shall perish together.”

Revenge is sweet.

•  The Eagle and the Beetle

The Eagle and the Beetle were at enmity, and they destroyed one another’s nests. The Eagle gave the first provocation in seizing upon and eating the young ones of the Beetle. The Beetle got by stealth at the Eagle’s eggs, and rolled them out of the nest, and followed the Eagle even into the presence of Jupiter. Upon the Eagle making her complaint, Jupiter ordered her to make her nest in his lap. While Jupiter had the eggs in his lap, the Beetle came flying about him, and Jupiter rising up unthinkingly to drive him away from his head, threw down the eggs, and broke them.

Even the weak may find a way to avenge a wrong.

•  The Fisherman Piping

A Man who cared more for his notes than his nets, seeing some fish in the sea, began playing on his pipe, thinking that they would jump out on shore. But finding himself disappointed, he took a casting-net, and enclosing a great multitude of fish, drew them to land. When he saw the fish dancing and flapping about, he smiled and said, “Since you would not dance when I piped, I will have none of your dancing now.”

It is a great art to do the right thing at the right time.

When you are in a man’s power you must do as he bids you.

•  The Monkey and the Dolphin

A ship, wrecked off the coast of Greece, had on board a Monkey, kept for the diversion of the sailors. The ship went down, and the Monkey, with most of the crew, was left struggling in the water. Dolphins are said to have a great friendship for man, and one of these fishes, taking the Monkey for a man, came under him and supporting him on his back, swam with him to the mouth of the Piraeus (the famous harbour of Athens). “In what part of Greece do you live?” demanded the Dolphin. “I am an Athenian,” said the Monkey. “Oh, then, you know Piraeus, of course?” said the Dolphin. “Know Piraeus!” cried the Monkey, not wishing to appear ignorant; “I should rather think I did. Why, my father and he are first cousins.” Thereupon the Dolphin, finding that he was supporting an impostor, dived to the bottom and left the lying Monkey to his fate.

A liar deceives no one but himself.

•  The Crow and the Serpent

A Crow in great want of food saw a Serpent asleep in a sunny nook, and flying down, greedily seized him. The Serpent, turning about, bit the Crow with a mortal wound. In the agony of death, the bird exclaimed: “O unhappy me! who have found in a supposed happy windfall the source of my destruction.”

Desire things you don’t understand and you accept the consequences.

•  The Dogs and the Fox

Some Dogs, finding the skin of a lion, began to tear it in pieces with their teeth. A Fox, seeing them, said, “If this lion were alive, you would soon find out that his claws were stronger than your teeth.”

It is easy to kick a man that is down.

•  The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog

A Horse, Ox, and Dog, driven to great straits by the cold, sought shelter and protection from Man. He received them kindly, lighted a fire, and warmed them. He let the Horse make free with his oats, gave the Ox an abundance of hay, and fed the Dog with meat from his own table. Grateful for these favours, the animals determined to repay him to the best of their ability. For this purpose, they divided the term of his life between them, and each endowed one portion of it with the qualities which chiefly characterized himself. The Horse chose his earliest years and gave them his own attributes: hence every man is in his youth impetuous, headstrong, and obstinate in maintaining his own opinion. The Ox took under his patronage the next term of life, and therefore man in his middle age is fond of work, devoted to labour, and resolute to amass wealth and to husband his resources. The end of life was reserved for the Dog, wherefore the old man is often snappish, irritable, hard to please, and selfish, tolerant only of his own household, but averse to strangers and to all who do not minister to his comfort or to his necessities.

We can only give what we have.

•  The Wolf and His Shadow

Roaming by the mountainside at sundown, a Wolf saw his own shadow become greatly extended and magnified, and he said to himself, “Why should I, being of such an immense size and extending nearly an acre in length, be afraid of the Lion? Ought I not to be acknowledged as King of all the beasts?”

While he was indulging in these proud thoughts, a Lion fell upon him and killed him. He exclaimed with a too-late repentance, “Wretched me! this overestimation of myself is the cause of my destruction.”

Over-rating ourselves, we under-rate others.

•  The Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury

A Philosopher witnessed from the shore a shipwreck, in which the crew and passengers were all drowned. He inveighed against the injustice of Providence, which would, for the sake of punishing one criminal perchance sailing in the ship, allow so many innocent persons to perish. As he was indulging in these reflections, an ant stung him. He immediately turned to the nearby nest and trampled them all to death. Mercury appeared, and striking the Philosopher with his staff, said, “And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of Providence, who have yourself in a similar manner treated these poor Ants?”

Few are free from the faults they condemn.

•  The Doe and the Lion

A Doe hard pressed by hunters sought refuge in a cave belonging to a Lion. The Lion concealed himself on seeing her approach, but when she was safe within the cave, sprang upon her and tore her to pieces. “Miserable creature that I am!” exclaimed the Doe, “to fly for protection from Man, to the most unmerciful of Beasts!”

Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
In avoiding one evil, care must be taken not to fall into another.

•  The Dogs and the Hides

Some Dogs famished with hunger saw a number of cowhides soaking in a river. Not being able to reach them, they agreed to drink up the river, but it happened that they burst themselves with drinking long before they reached the hides.

Attempt not impossibilities.
Those who aim at an object by unreasonable means, are apt to ruin themselves in the attempt.

•  The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox, Hunting

The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox formed a party to go out hunting. They took a large booty, and when the sport was ended, bethought themselves of having a hearty meal. The Lion bade the Ass allot the spoil. The Ass took great pains to divide it into three portions as nearly equal as possible, and begged his friends to make their choice; at which the Lion, in great indignation, fell upon the Ass and tore him to pieces.

He then bade the Fox make a division; who, gathering the whole into one great heap, reserved only the smallest mite for himself. “Ah! friend,” says the Lion, “who taught you to make so equitable a division? You are perfect to a fraction.” The Fox replied, “I learned a lesson from the Ass.”

Learn from the misfortunes of others.

•  The Birdcatcher, the Partridge,
and the Cock

A Birdcatcher was about to sit down to a dinner of herbs when a friend unexpectedly came in. The bird-trap was quite empty, as he had caught nothing, and he decided to kill a tame Partridge, which he kept for a decoy. The bird entreated earnestly for her life: “What would you do without me when next you spread your nets? Who would chirp you to sleep, or call for you the covey of answering birds?” The Birdcatcher spared her life, and determined to pick out a fine young Cock from his henhouse. But the young Cock expostulated in piteous tones from his perch: “If you kill me, who will announce to you the appearance of the dawn? Who will wake you to your daily tasks or tell you when it is time to visit the bird-trap in the morning?” The Man replied, “What you say is true. You are a capital bird at telling the time of day. But my friend and I must have our dinners.”

Necessity knows no law.

•  The Gnat and the Lion

As a lively and impudent Gnat was buzzing around a Lion, the Lion said to him: “How dare you approach so near? Be off, or I will kill you with the least stroke of my paw.” The Gnat, knowing the advantage of his small size, and his alertness, immediately challenged the boaster to combat, and alighting first upon his nose and then upon his tail, made the Lion so furious that he injured himself grievously with his paws.

As the Gnat flew away he boasted of his own prowess in thus defeating the King of Beasts without the slightest injury to himself. But, in his carelessness, he flew directly into a spider’s web, and the spider instantly seized and killed him.

One may escape a great danger only to fall victim to a small one.

The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared.

•  The Master and His Dogs

A certain Man, detained by a storm in his country house, first of all killed his sheep, and then his goats, for the maintenance of his household. The storm still continuing, he was obliged to slaughter his yoke oxen for food. On seeing this, his Dogs took counsel together, and said, “It is time for us to be off, for if the master does not spare his oxen, who work for his gain, how can we expect him to spare us?”

He is not to be trusted as a friend who mistreats his own family.

•  The Eagle and the Fox

An Eagle and a Fox formed an intimate friendship and decided to live near each other. The Eagle built her nest in the branches of a tall tree, while the Fox crept into the underbrush and there produced her young. Not long after they had agreed upon this plan, the Eagle, being in want of provision for her young ones, swooped down while the Fox was out, seized the little cubs, and feasted herself and her brood. The Fox on her return, discovered what had happened, but was less grieved for the death of her young than for her inability to avenge them. A just retribution, however, quickly fell upon the Eagle. While hovering near an altar, on which some villagers were sacrificing a goat, she suddenly seized a piece of the flesh, and carried it, along with a burning cinder, to her nest. A strong breeze soon fanned the spark into a flame, and the eaglets, still unfledged and helpless, were roasted in their nest and dropped down dead at the bottom of the tree. There, in the sight of the Eagle, the Fox gobbled them up.

Retribution follows cruelty.
False faith may escape human punishment, but cannot escape the divine.

The tyrant is never safe from the vengeance of the oppressed.

•  The Lion and the Fox

A Fox agreed to wait upon a Lion in the capacity of a servant. Each for a time performed the part belonging to his station; the Fox would point out the prey, and the Lion fell upon it and seized it. But the Fox, beginning to think himself as good a beast as his master, begged to be allowed to hunt the game instead of finding it. His request was granted, but as he was in the act of making a descent upon a herd, the huntsman came down upon him, and he was himself made the prize.

Keep to your place, and your place will keep you.

•  The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox

The King of the Forest was once long and seriously ill, and his majesty’s temper not being at all improved by the trial, the Fox, with his usual discretion, kept away from Court as much as he could. He slunk about, however, as near as he was able without being seen, and one day overheard the Wolf talking to the Lion about him. The Wolf and the Fox were never good friends, and the Wolf was now calling the Lion’s attention to the fact that the Fox had not shown his face for a long time at Court, and added that he had strong reasons for suspecting that he was busily engaged in hatching some treason or other. The Lion thereupon commanded that the Fox should be brought at once to his presence, and the Jackal was accordingly sent to look for him. The Fox, being asked what he had to say for himself, replied that his absence, so far from arising from any want of respect for his sovereign, was the result of his extreme concern for his welfare. He had gone far and wide, he said, and consulted the most skilful physicians as to what was the best thing to be done to cure the King’s most grievous malady. “They say,” stated he (and here he gave a malicious leer at the Wolf), “that the only thing to save your majesty’s life is to wrap yourself in the warm skin torn from a newly-killed Wolf.” The Lion, eager to try the experiment, at once dragged the Wolf towards him, and killed him on the spot.

Slander has a score to pay.

Plot against others and fall into a trap of your own making.

•  The Leopard and the Fox

A Leopard and a Fox had a debate, which was the finer creature of the two. The Leopard put forward the beauty of its numberless spots; but the Fox replied: “It is better to have a versatile mind than a variegated body.”

Beauty is but skin deep.

There’s no greater beauty than that of the mind.

•  The Fox and the Hedgehog

A Fox swimming across a river, was carried by the force of the current into a deep ravine. He lay there exhausted and unable to get out. To add to his misfortunes a swarm of Flies settled upon his head, and stung and plagued him grievously. A Hedgehog passing by offered to drive away the Flies that tormented him. “Nay,” cried the Fox, “pray let them alone. Those that are now upon me are already full almost to bursting with my blood. If you drive them away, a fresh swarm of hungry rascals will take their places, and I shall not have a drop of blood left in my body.”

New dependents, new claims.
When we throw off rulers or dependants who have already made the most of us, we lay ourselves open to others who will make us bleed yet more freely.

Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk a greater in removing it.

•  The Crow and the Raven

A Crow was jealous of the Raven, because he was considered a bird of good omen and always attracted the attention of men, who noted by his flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing some travellers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree, and perching herself on one of the branches, cawed as loudly as she could. The travellers turned towards the sound and wondered what it forebode, when one of them said to his companion, “Let us proceed on our journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a crow, and her cry, you know, is no omen.”

Those who pretend to be something they are not, only make themselves ridiculous.

•  The Old Man and Death

A poor and toil-worn Peasant, bent with years, and groaning beneath the weight of a heavy load of firewood which he carried, sought, weary and sore-footed on a long and dusty road, to gain his distant cottage. Unable to bear the weight of his burden any longer, he let it fall by the roadside, and sitting down upon it, lamented his hard fate. What pleasure had he known since first he drew breath in this sad world? From dawn to dusk one long round of ill-requited toil! At home, empty cupboards, a discontented wife, and disobedient children! He called on Death to free him from his troubles. At once the King of Terrors stood before him, and asked him what he wanted. The Old Man hurriedly replied, “That you would do me the favour to help me lift this bundle of sticks to my back.”

We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

We do not always like to be taken at our word.

•  The Miser and His Gold

A Miser, to make sure of his property, sold all that he had and converted it into a great lump of gold, which he hid in a hole in the ground, and went every day to feast upon the sight of his treasure. A thievish fellow, who had watched him at this occupation, came one night and carried off the gold. The next day the Miser, finding his treasure gone, tore his clothes and filled the air with his lamentations. But a neighbour who saw him in this extravagant grief, and learned the cause of it, said, “Fret yourself no longer, but take a stone and put it in the same place, and fancy that it is your lump of gold; for, as you never meant to use it, the one will do you as much good as the other.”

The worth of money is not in its possession, but in its use.
Wealth unused might as well not exist.

•  The Horse and the Stag

A Horse had the whole range of a meadow to himself; but a Stag came and damaged the pasture. The Horse, anxious to have his revenge, asked a Man if he would assist him in punishing the Stag. “Yes,” said the Man, “Only let me put a bit in your mouth, and get upon your back, and I will find the weapons.” The Horse agreed, and the Man mounted accordingly; but instead of getting his revenge, the Horse has been from that time forward the slave of Man.

Liberty is too high a price to pay for revenge.

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

•  The Fox and the Bramble

A Fox was climbing a hedge when he lost his footing and caught hold of a Bramble to save himself. Having pricked and grievously torn his feet, he accused the Bramble because, when he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than the hedge itself. The Bramble, interrupting him, said, “But you really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others.”

Dependents make poor supports.

•  The Partridge and the Fowler

A Fowler having caught a Partridge in his net, the bird cried out sorrowfully, “Let me go, good Master Fowler, and I promise you I will decoy other Partridges into your net.”  “No,” said the Man, “whatever I might have intended, I am determined now not to spare you; for there is no death too bad for him who is ready to betray his friends.”

Traitors richly deserve their fate.

•  The Hunter and the Woodman

A Man went out Lion-hunting into a forest, where meeting with a Woodman, he asked him if he had seen any tracks of a Lion, and if he knew where his lair was. “Yes,” says the Woodman, “and if you will come with me I will show you the Lion himself.” At this the Hunter turned ghastly pale, and, his teeth chattering, said, “Oh, thank you; it was the Lion’s track, not himself, that I was hunting.”

A coward can be a hero at a distance; it is presence of danger that tests the presence of mind.

•  The Serpent and the Eagle

A Serpent and an Eagle were struggling with each other in deadly conflict. The Serpent had the advantage, and was about to strangle the bird. A countryman saw them, and running up, loosed the coil of the Serpent and let the Eagle go free. The Serpent, irritated at the escape of his prey, injected his poison into the drinking horn of the countryman. The man, ignorant of his danger, was about to drink, when the Eagle struck his hand with his wing, and, seizing the drinking horn in his talons, carried it aloft.

One good turn deserves another.

•  The Horse and the Ass

A Horse, proud of his fine trappings, met an Ass on the highway. The Ass, being heavily laden, moved slowly out of the way. Said the Horse, “I can hardly resist kicking you with my heels to make you move faster.” The Ass held his peace, and made only a silent appeal to the justice of the gods. Not long afterwards the Horse, having become broken-winded, was sent by his owner to the farm. The Ass, seeing him drawing a heavily loaded cart, thus derided him: “Where now, O boaster, are all your gay trappings, you who are now reduced to the condition you so lately treated with contempt?”

Those who disdain others may expect contempt in their turn.

•  The Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons

The Pigeons, terrified by the appearance of a Kite, called upon the Hawk to defend them. He at once consented. When they had admitted him into the cote, they found that he made more havoc and slew a larger number of them in one day than the Kite could pounce upon in a whole year.

Avoid a remedy that is worse than the disease.

•  The Swallow and the Crow

The Swallow and the Crow had a debate about their plumage. The Crow put an end to the dispute by saying, “Your feathers are all very well in the summer, but mine will protect me against many winters.”

Durability is better than show.

Fair-weather friends are not worth much.

•  The Goatherd and the Wild Goats

A Goatherd, driving his flock from their pasture at eventide, found some Wild Goats mingled among them, and shut them up together with his own for the night. The next day it snowed very hard, so that he could not take the herd to their usual feeding places, but was obliged to keep them in the fold. He gave his own goats just sufficient food to keep them alive, but fed the strangers more abundantly in the hope of enticing them to stay with him and of making them his own. When the thaw set in, he led them all out to feed, and the Wild Goats scampered away as fast as they could to the mountains. The Goatherd scolded them for their ingratitude in leaving him, when during the storm he had taken more care of them than of his own herd. One of them, turning about, said to him: “That is the very reason why we are so cautious; for if you yesterday treated us better than the Goats you have had so long, it is plain that if others came after us, you would in the same manner prefer them to ourselves.”

They who neglect their old friends for the sake of new, are rightly served if they lose both.

•  Fortune and the Traveller

A Traveller wearied from a long journey lay down, overcome with fatigue, on the very brink of a deep well. Just as he was about to fall into the water, Dame Fortune came by, and gently waking him said, “Good Sir, please wake up. If you had fallen in, everybody would have laid the blame on me; but tell me truly, now, would the fault have been yours or mine?”

Everyone is more or less master of his own fate.
Fortune is not answerable for our want of foresight.

•  The Mountain in Labour

In days of yore, a mighty rumbling was heard in a Mountain. It was said to be in labour, and multitudes flocked together, from far and near, to see what it would produce. After long expectation and many wise conjectures from the bystanders, out popped—a Mouse!

A magnificent promise, but a paltry performance.

Don’t make a big fuss over nothing.

•  The Ass Eating Thistles

An Ass, laden with choice provisions of several sorts, was on his way to the field. His master and the reapers were at work there, and the food that he carried was for the entertainment of man and beast. On the way he met with a fine large Thistle, and, being very hungry, began to munch it, and he thought, “Many people would wonder that, with such dainty food upon my back, I should have appetite for the despised thistle; but to me this bitter, prickly weed has a more savoury relish than anything else in the world. Let others choose what they will, but give me a fine, juicy thistle like this, and I will be content.”

Everyone to his own taste. It is wisely ordered that what one rejects should be the choice of another.

•  The Cock and the Fox

A Fox, passing early one summer’s morning near a farmyard, was caught in a trap which the farmer had placed there for that purpose. A Cock saw what had happened, and hardly daring to trust himself too near so dangerous a foe, approached him cautiously and peeped at him, not without considerable fear. Reynard addressed the Cock in his most beguiling manner: “Dear cousin,” said he, “see what an unfortunate accident has befallen me here! and, believe me, it is all on your account. I was creeping through yonder hedge on my way homeward, when I heard you crow, and resolved before I went any further, to come and ask you how you did. On the way I met with this disaster. Now if you would run to the house and bring me a pointed stick, I think I could force it into this trap and free myself from its grip. Such a service I should not soon forget.” The Cock ran off and soon came back with the stick; which, however, was carried in the hand of the sturdy farmer, who lost no time in putting it out of Master Fox’s power to do any harm in the future.

To aid the vicious is to become a partner in their guilt.

•  The Fox in the Well

An unlucky Fox having fallen into a Well, was able, by dint of great efforts, just to keep his head above water. While he was there struggling, and sticking his claws into the side of the Well, a Wolf came by and looked in. “What! my dear brother,” said he, with affected concern, “can it really be you that I see down there? How cold you must feel! How long have you been in? How came you to fall in? I am so pained to see you. Do tell me all about it!”  “The end of a rope would be of more use to me than all your pity,” answered the Fox. “Just help me to set my foot once more on solid ground, and you shall have the whole story.”

A grain of help is worth a bushel of pity.

•  The Fowler and the Ringdove

A Fowler, seeing a Ringdove among the branches of an oak, put his piece to his shoulder and aimed at the bird. Just then an Adder, on which he had trodden unknowingly, bit him in the leg. Feeling the poison spreading in his veins, he threw down his gun, and exclaimed, “Fate has justly brought destruction on me while I was contriving the death of another!”

There is a law of retribution governing life. Men often fall into the very pit they dig for others.

•  The Boar and the Ass

A little scamp of an Ass meeting in a forest with a Boar, came up to him and hailed him with impudent familiarity. The Boar was about to avenge the insult by ripping up the Ass’s flank, but, wisely stifling his passion, he contented himself with saying, “Go, you sorry beast; I could easily and amply be revenged upon you, but I do not care to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a creature.”

Dignity cannot afford to quarrel with its inferiors.

•  The Peacock and the Magpie

The Birds once met together to choose a king; and, among others, the Peacock was a candidate. Spreading his showy tail, and stalking up and down with affected grandeur, he caught the eyes of the silly multitude by his brilliant appearance, and was elected with acclamation. The Magpie then stepped forth into the midst of the assembly, and thus addressed the new king: “May it please your majesty, permit a humble admirer to propose a question. As our king, we put our lives and fortunes in your hands. If, therefore, the Eagle, the Vulture, and the Kite, should make a descent upon us, what means would you take for our defence?” This pithy question opened the eyes of the Birds to the weakness of their choice. They cancelled the election, and have ever since regarded the Peacock as a vain pretender, and consider the Magpie to be as good a speaker as any of their number.

A king chosen for his adornments, will bring his people to shame.

•  The Kite and the Pigeons

A Kite that had kept sailing around a dovecote for many days with no success, was forced by hunger to resort to stratagem. Approaching the Pigeons in his gentlest manner, he tried to show them how much better their state would be if they had a king with some firmness about him, and how well his protection would shield them from the attacks of the Hawk and other enemies. The Pigeons, deluded by this show of reason, admitted him to the dovecote as their king. They found, however, that he established as part of his kingly prerogative to devour a pigeon a day. Whereupon one that yet awaited his turn, said no more than “It serves us right.”

It is a dangerous thing for people to call in a powerful and an ambitious man for their protector.

Those who voluntarily put power into the hand of a tyrant or an enemy, must not wonder if it is at last turned against themselves.

•  The Horse and the Lion

A Lion, who had got old and infirm, saw a fine plump Nag, and longed for a bit of him. Knowing that the animal would prove too fleet for him in the chase, he resorted to artifice. He gave out that he was a physician, capable to heal any malady for any kind of beast. He hoped by that means to get admittance among them, and so find a chance of gratifying his appetite. The Horse, who had doubts of the Lion’s honesty, came up limping, pretending that he had run a thorn into one of his hind feet, which gave him great pain. The Lion asked that the foot might be shown to him, and pored over it with a mock earnest air. The Horse, slyly looking round, saw that he was preparing to spring, and vigorously sending out both his heels at once, gave the Lion such a kick in the face, that it laid him stunned and sprawling upon the ground. Then, laughing at the success of his trick, the Horse trotted merrily away.

The sharpest tricksters are often overmatched. The engineer gets “hoist with his own petard.”.

•  Cupid and Death

Cupid, one sultry summer’s noon, tired with play and faint with heat, went into a cool grotto to repose himself, which happened to be the cave of Death. He threw himself carelessly down on the floor, and his quiver turning topsy-turvy, all the arrows fell out, and mingled with those of Death, which lay scattered about the place. When he awoke he gathered them up as well as he could, but they were so intermingled that, though he knew the certain number, he could not rightly distinguish his own. Thus he took up some of the arrows which belonged to Death, and left some of his own. This is the cause that we now and then see the hearts of the old and decrepit transfixed with the bolts of love; and with great grief and surprise, sometimes see youth and beauty smitten with the darts of Death.

Cupid’s arrows are as perilous as they are capricious.

•  The Hawk and the Farmer

A Hawk pursuing a Pigeon with great eagerness, was caught in a net which had been set in a corn-field for the Crows. The Farmer, seeing the Hawk fluttering in the net, came and took him. The Hawk besought the Man to let him go, saying piteously that he had done him no harm. “And pray what harm had the poor Pigeon you followed done to you?” replied the Farmer. Without more ado he wrung off his head.

Oppressors are never short of excuses for their evil designs.

•  The Envious Man and the Covetous

Two Men, one a Covetous fellow, and the other thoroughly possessed by the passion of Envy, came together to proffer their petitions to Jupiter. The god sent Apollo to deal with their requests. Apollo told them that whatever should be granted to the first who asked, the other should receive double. The Covetous Man refrained from asking first, waiting in order that he might receive twice as much as his companion. The Envious Man, in the spitefulness of his heart, thereupon prayed that one of his own eyes might be put out, knowing that the other would have to lose both of his.

Envy and Avarice are twin brothers of an evil house, as cruel as they are selfish.

•  The Dog and the Sheep

The Dog sued the Sheep for a debt; the Kite and the Wolf were the judges, and the Fox and the Vulture gave evidence. Judgment was given in favour of the plaintiff, and debt, costs, and expenses of witnesses were all paid out of the body of the poor Sheep.

Justice can only be obtained by an appeal to righteous judges.

•  The Fox and the Tiger

A skilful archer coming into the woods, directed his arrows so well that the beasts fled in dismay. The Tiger, however, told them not to be afraid, for he would singly engage their enemy, and drive him from their domain, and that they might depend upon his valour and strength to revenge their wrongs. While he was in the midst of these threats, an arrow pierced his ribs and lodged in his side. The Fox asked him slyly who it was that could have strength and courage enough to wound so mighty and valorous a beast! “Ah!” replied the Tiger, writhing with pain, “I find that I was mistaken in my reckoning: it was that invincible man yonder.”

Don’t boast of your power till you have tested your enemy’s strength.

•  The Camel and Jupiter

The Camel once upon a time complained to Jupiter that he was not as well served as he ought to be in the means of defence and offence. “The bull,” said he, “has horns, the boar, tusks, and the lion and tiger, formidable claws and fangs that make them feared and respected on all sides. I, on the other hand, have to put up with the abuse of all who choose to insult me.” Jupiter angrily told him that if he would take the trouble to think, he would see that he was endowed with qualities shared by no other beast; but that, as a punishment for his importunity, henceforward his ears should be shortened.

Dissatisfaction tends to diminish the value of present possessions.

By asking too much, we may lose the little that we had before.

•  The Porcupine and the Snakes

A Porcupine, seeking shelter, asked some Snakes to give him admittance into their cave. They accordingly let him in, but were afterwards so annoyed with his sharp prickly quills that they soon repented of their easy compliance, and entreated the Porcupine to withdraw, and leave them their hole to themselves. “No,” says he, “let them quit the place that don’t like it; for my part, I am well enough satisfied as I am.”

Offer hospitality with discretion, lest you entertain foes instead of friends.

It is easier to keep an intruder out than to compel him to leave.

•  The Cat and the Fox

A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping its enemies. “I have a whole bag of tricks,” he said, “which contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies.”  “I have only one,” said the Cat; “but I can generally manage with that.” Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of hounds coming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered up a tree and hid herself in the boughs. “This is my plan,” said the Cat. “What are you going to do?” The Fox thought first of one way, then of another, and while he was debating with himself, the hounds came nearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caught up by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen. Miss Puss, who had been looking on, said:

“Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon.”

Common sense is always worth more than cunning.

•  The Sick Lion

A Lion, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice. He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the Lion devoured them. After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick, and presenting himself to the Lion, stood outside the cave at a respectful distance and asked him how he was. “I am very middling,” replied the Lion, “but why do you stand outside? Please come in to talk with me.”  “No, thank you,” said the Fox. “I notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but I see no trace of any returning.”

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

He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.

•  The Bear and the Beehives

A Bear, climbing over the fence into a place where Bees were kept, began to plunder the Hives, and rob them of their honey. But the Bees, to revenge the injury, attacked him in a whole swarm together; and, though they were not able to pierce his rugged hide, yet, with their little stings, they so annoyed his eyes and nostrils, that, unable to endure the smarting pain, with impatience he tore the skin over his ears with his own claws, and suffered ample punishment for the injury he did the Bees in breaking open their waxen cells.

Ill-gotten gains bring many pains.

•  The Flies and the Honey-Pot

A pot of Honey having been upset in a grocer’s shop, the Flies came around it in swarms to eat it up, and vowed not to move from the spot while there was a drop left. At length their wings and feet became so smeared that they could not fly away, and, stifled in the luscious sweets, they exclaimed, “Miserable creatures that we are, who for the sake of an hour’s pleasure, have thrown away our lives!”

Do not be greedy for a little passing pleasure. It may destroy you.

•  The Man and His Wife

A Man had a Wife who made herself hated by all the members of his household. Wishing to find out if she had the same effect on the persons in her father’s house, he made some excuse to send her home on a visit to her father. After a short time she returned, and when he inquired how she had got on and how the servants had treated her, she replied, “The herdsmen and shepherds cast on me looks of aversion.” He said, “O Wife, if you were disliked by those who go out early in the morning with their flocks and return late in the evening, what must have been felt towards you by those with whom you passed the whole day!”

Straws show how the wind blows.

•  The Farmer and the Cranes

Some Cranes settled down in a Farmer’s field that was newly sown. For some time the Farmer frightened them away by brandishing an empty sling at them. But when the Cranes found that he was only slinging to the winds, they no longer minded him, nor flew away. Upon this the Farmer slung at them with stones, and killed a great part of them. “Let us be off,” said the rest, “for this man means to threaten us no longer, but is determined to get rid of us in earnest.”

If words suffice not, blows must follow.

•  The Thirsty Pigeon

A Pigeon, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. Not perceiving it to be only a picture, she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed against the signboard, jarring herself terribly. Having broken her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, and was caught by one of the bystanders.

Zeal should not outrun discretion.

Act in haste and repent at leisure.

•  The Man Bitten by a Dog

A Man who had been bitten by a Dog, was going about asking who would cure him. One that met him said, “Sir, if you would be cured, take a bit of bread and dip it in the blood of the wound, and give it to the dog that bit you.” The Man smiled, and said, “If I were to follow your advice, I should be bitten by all the dogs in the city.”

He who proclaims himself ready to buy up his enemies will never want a supply of them.

•  The Huntsman and the Fisherman

A Huntsman, returning with his dogs from the field, fell in by chance with a Fisherman who was bringing home a basket well laden with fish. The Huntsman wished to have the fish, and their owner experienced an equal longing for the contents of the game-bag. They quickly agreed to exchange the product of their day’s sport. Each was so well pleased with his bargain that they made for some time the same exchange day after day. Finally a neighbour said to them, “If you go on in this way, you will soon destroy by frequent use the pleasure of your exchange, and each will again wish to retain the fruits of his own sport.”

Pleasures are heightened by abstinence.

•  The Two Dogs

A Man had two dogs: a Hound, trained to assist him in his sports, and a Housedog, taught to watch the house. When he returned home after a good day’s hunting, he always gave the Housedog a large share of the game. The Hound, feeling much aggrieved at this, reproached his companion, saying, “It is very hard to have all this work, while you, who do not assist in the chase, indulge in the fruits of my labour.” The Housedog replied, “Do not blame me, my friend, but find fault with the master, who has not taught me to work, but to depend for subsistence upon the work of others.”

Children are not to be blamed for the faults of their parents.

•  The Widow and the Sheep

A certain poor Widow had one solitary Sheep. At shearing time, wishing to take his fleece and to avoid expense, she sheared him herself, but used the shears so unskillfully that with the fleece she sheared the flesh. The Sheep, writhing with pain, said, “Why do you torture me so, Mistress? What weight can my blood add to the wool? If you want my flesh, there is the butcher, who will put me out of my misery at once; but if you want my fleece and wool, there is the shearer, who will clip my wool without drawing my blood.”

The least outlay is not always the greatest gain. Economy may be carried too far.

•  The Sick Kite

A Kite who had been ill for a long time, begged of his mother to go to all the temples in the country, and see what prayers and promises could do for his recovery. The old Kite replied, “My son, unless you can think of an altar that neither of us has robbed, I fear that nothing can be done for you in that way.”

What you have sown, that you must reap.

We must make friends in prosperity, if we would have their help when we are in adversity.

A deathbed repentance is poor amends for the errors of a lifetime.

•  The Travellers and the Purse

Two men were travelling in company along the road when one of them picked up a well-filled purse. “How lucky I am!” he said. “I have found a purse. Judging by its weight it must be full of gold.”  “Don’t say ‘I have found it,’” said his companion. “Say rather ‘we have found it. As we are companions, we ought to share it between us.”  “No, no,” replied the other angrily. “I found it and I am going to keep it.”

Just then they heard a shout of “Stop, thief!” and looking around, saw a mob of people armed with clubs coming down the road. The man who had found the purse fell into a panic. “We are lost if they find the purse on us,” he cried.

“No, no,” replied the other, “You would not say ‘we’ before, so now stick to your ‘I’. Say ‘I am lost.’”

He who shares the danger ought to share the prize.

•  The Gull and the Kite

A Gull had pounced upon a fish, and in endeavouring to swallow it got choked, and lay upon the deck for dead. A Kite who was passing by and saw him, gave him no other comfort than—“It serves you right: for what business have the fowls of the air to meddle with the fish of the sea?”

Every man should be content to mind his own business.

•  The Seaside Travellers

Some Travellers, journeying along the seashore, climbed to the summit of a tall cliff, and looking over the sea, saw in the distance what they thought was a large ship. They waited in the hope of seeing it enter the harbour, but as the object on which they looked was driven nearer to shore by the wind, they found that it could at the most be a small boat, and not a ship. When it reached the beach, however, they discovered that it was only a large bundle of sticks, and one of them said to his companions, “We have waited for no purpose, for after all there is nothing to see but a load of wood.”

Do not let your hopes carry you away from reality.

Dangers seem greatest at a distance; and coming events are magnified according to the interest or inclination of the beholder.

•  The Bull and the Goat

A Bull being pursued by a Lion, spied a cave, and flew towards it, meaning to take shelter there. A Goat came to the mouth of the cave, and menacing the Bull with his horns, disputed the passage. The Bull, having no time to lose, was obliged to make off again without delay, but not before saying to the Goat, “Were it not for the Lion that is behind me, I would soon let you know the difference between a Bull and a Goat.”

It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress.

Mean people take advantage of their neighbours’ difficulties to annoy them; but the time will come when they will repent them of their insolence.

•  The Ape and Her Young Ones

There was a foolish old widowed She-Ape, who had two young twin Monkeys. She doted upon one of them, whom she countenanced in breaking and pilfering what he pleased; while she only noticed the other to punish him bitterly if he should aggrieve or thwart his brother, but on the whole left him to his own devices. In the end the spoiled favourite broke out of bounds, and committed a theft away from his mother’s cage, and was snapped up by a big Watch-Dog, whose kennel was in a neighbouring Court; while his neglected brother grew up a harmless, active, and amusing Monkey, much respected by all who knew him.

A plant may thrive better by the roadside than in a hothouse where a Fool is the Gardener.

•  The Kites and the Swans

The 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.

The desire for imaginary benefits may result in loss of present blessings.

•  The Hares and the Foxes

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.”

Count the cost before you commit yourself.

•  The Lion and the Eagle

An Eagle entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, “I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to show surety for your good faith, for how can I trust anyone as a friend who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he pleases?”

Try before you trust.

•  The Young Man and the Painted Lion

A certain Rich Man, lord of a great estate, had an only son, of whom he was dotingly fond. The Young Man delighted in hunting, and went every day into the forest, in chase of wild beasts. His father had a dream in which he was warned that his son would be killed by a lion. Afraid the dream should prove true, he built a spacious tower, and kept the Young Man there closely confined. That his captivity might be less tedious, he surrounded him with books, music, and pictures; and on the walls of the tower were painted in life-size all the beasts of the chase, and among the rest a Lion. The Young Man stood one day gazing for a long time at this picture, and, vexed at his unreasonable confinement, he struck the painted Lion a violent blow with his fist, saying, “O you most detestable of animals! You are the cause of all my grief!” The point of a nail in the wainscot under the canvas entered his hand; the wound became inflamed, festered, and mortified, and the Youth died from its effects.

We had better bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them.

We cannot escape our fate.

•  The Dog and the Oyster

A Dog, used to eating eggs, saw an Oyster and, opening his mouth to its widest extent, swallowed it down with the utmost relish, supposing it to be an egg. Soon afterwards suffering great pain in his stomach, he said, “I deserve all this torment, for my folly in thinking that everything round must be an egg.”

Act in haste and repent at leisure—and often in pain.

•  The Ass and the Frogs

An Ass, carrying a load of wood, passed through a pond. As he was crossing through the water he lost his footing, stumbled and fell, and not being able to rise on account of his load, groaned heavily. Some Frogs frequenting the pool heard his lamentation, and said, “What would you do if you had to live here always as we do, when you make such a fuss about a mere fall into the water?”

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

We judge others by ourselves.

•  The Lark Burying Her Father

The Lark (according to an ancient legend) was created before the earth itself, and when her father died, as there was no earth, she could find no place of burial for him. She let him lie uninterred for five days, and on the sixth day, not knowing what else to do, she buried him in her own head. Hence she obtained her crest, which is popularly said to be her father’s grave-hillock.

Youth’s first duty is reverence to parents.

•  The Dancing Monkeys

A Prince had some Monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally great mimics of men’s actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often repeated to great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience.

Temptation brings out the true character.

Those who assume a character will betray themselves by their actions.

•  The Ass and the Grasshoppers

An Ass hearing some Grasshoppers chirping, was delighted with the music, and determined, if he could, to rival them, asked them what it was they fed upon to make them sing so sweetly? When they told him that they supped upon nothing but dew, the Ass betook himself to the same diet, and soon died of hunger.

One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Don’t ignore your own needs.

•  The Boy and the Scorpion

A Boy was hunting Locusts upon a wall, and had caught a great number of them; when, seeing a Scorpion, he mistook it for another Locust, and was reaching his hand to catch it, when the Scorpion, lifting up his sting, said: “I wish you had done it, for I would soon have made you drop me, and the Locusts into the bargain.”

Carelessness has consequences.

What at first appears harmless may be dangerous.

•  The Hare and the Hound

A Hound started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave up the chase. A goatherd 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 my dinner, but he was running for his life.”

Incentive spurs effort.

•  The Wolves and the Sheep

The Wolves and the Sheep once made a treaty of peace. The Sheep were to give up their Dogs, and the Wolves their young ones, as hostages or security for its due observance. The young Wolves cried for their mothers, and the Wolves thereupon alleged that the peace had been broken, and set upon the Sheep, who, deprived of their defenders the Dogs, could make no resistance.

A foolish peace is more destructive than a bloody war.

•  The Shepherd and the Wolf

A Shepherd once found the cub of a Wolf and brought it up, and after a while taught it to steal lambs from the neighbouring flocks. The Wolf, having shown himself an apt pupil, said to the Shepherd, “Since you have taught me to steal, you must keep a sharp lookout, or you will lose some of your own flock.”

If you teach evil, expect evil.

•  The Swallow in Chancery

A Swallow had built her nest under the eaves of a Court of Justice. Before her young ones could fly, a Serpent gliding out of his hole ate them all up. When the poor bird returned to her nest and found it empty, she began a pitiable wailing. A neighbour suggested, by way of comfort, that she was not the first bird who had lost her young. “True,” she replied, “but it is not only my little ones that I mourn, but that I should have been wronged in that very place where the injured fly for justice.”

Not everything that benefits others will benefit oneself.

•  The Thief and His Mother

A Boy stole a lesson-book from one of his schoolmates and took it home. His Mother, far from correcting him, took the book and sold it, and gave him an apple for his pains. He next time stole a cloak and brought it to her, and she again commended him. In the course of time the Boy became a robber, and at last was tried for his life and condemned. He was led to the gallows, a great crowd of people following, and among them his Mother, bitterly weeping. He prayed the officers to grant him the favour of a few parting words with her, and his request was freely granted. He approached his Mother, put his arm round her neck, and making as though he would whisper something in her ear, bit it off. Her cry of pain drew everybody’s eyes upon them, and there was great indignation that he should add another violence to his list of crimes. “Nay, good people,” said he, “do not be deceived. My first theft was of a book, which I gave to my Mother. Had she whipped me for it, instead of praising me, I should not have come to this disgraceful death on the gallows now that I am a man.”

Nip evil in the bud.

Spare the rod and spoil the child.

•  The Great and the Little Fishes

A Fisherman was drawing up a net which he had cast into the sea, full of all sorts of fish. The Little Fish escaped through the meshes of the net, and got back into the deep, but the Great Fish were all caught and hauled into the ship.

Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.

•  The Lion and the Dolphin

A Lion was roaming on the seashore. Seeing a Dolphin basking on the surface of the water, he invited him to form an alliance with him, “for,” said he, “as I am the king of the beasts, and you are the king of the fishes, we ought to be the greatest friends and allies possible.” The Dolphin gladly assented; and the Lion, not long after, having a fight with a wild bull, called upon the Dolphin for his promised support. But when he, though ready to assist him, found himself unable to come out of the sea for the purpose, the Lion accused him of having betrayed him. “Do not blame me,” replied the Dolphin, “but blame my nature, which however powerful at sea, is altogether helpless on land.”

In choosing allies we must look to their ability, as well as to their will, to aid us.

•  The Wolf and the Housedog

A Wolf, meeting a big well-fed Mastiff with a wooden collar about his neck asked him who it was that fed him so well and yet compelled him to drag that heavy log about wherever he went. “The master,” he replied. Then said the Wolf: “May no friend of mine ever be in such a plight; for the weight of this chain is enough to spoil the appetite.”

Better to starve free than be a fat slave.
Nothing can compensate us for the loss of our liberty.

•  The Swan and the Goose

A certain rich Man bought in the market a Goose and a Swan. He fed the one for his table and kept the other for the sake of its song. It is said that Swans sing only once in their life, that being just before they die. When the time came for killing the Goose, the cook went to get him at night, when it was dark, and he was not able to distinguish one bird from the other. By mistake he caught the Swan instead of the Goose. The Swan, threatened with death, burst forth into song and thus made himself known by his voice, and preserved his life by his melody.

A word in season is most precious.

Sweet words may deliver us from peril, when harsh words would fail.

•  The Fox and the Woodman

A Fox, having been hunted hard and run a long chase, saw a man who was cutting wood, and begged him to help him to some hiding-place. The man said he might go into his cottage, which was close by. He was no sooner inside, than the Huntsmen came up. “Have you seen a Fox pass this way?” said they. The Countryman said “No,” but pointed at the same time towards the place where the Fox lay. The Huntsmen did not take the hint, however, and made off again at full speed. The Fox, who had seen all that took place through a chink in the wall, thereupon came out, and was walking away without a word. “Why, how now?” said the man; “haven’t you the manners to thank your host before you go?”  “Yes, yes,” said the Fox; “if you had been as honest with your fingers as you were with your tongue, I shouldn’t have gone without saying goodbye.”

There is as much malice in a wink as in a word.

•  The Monkey and the Fishermen

A Monkey was sitting up in a high tree, and watched some Fishermen laying their nets in a river. The Men had no sooner set their nets, and retired a short distance to their dinner, than the Monkey came down from the tree, thinking that he would try his hand at the same sport. But in attempting to lay the nets he got so entangled in them, that being well nigh choked, he was forced to exclaim: “This serves me right; for what business had I, who know nothing of fishing, to meddle with such tackle as this?”

Imitation is no substitute for knowledge.

•  The Peasant and the Eagle

A Peasant, who was out walking one fine day, met with an Eagle caught in a snare. Struck with the beauty of the bird, and being a kind-hearted fellow, he let the Eagle fly. The sun was shining fiercely, and the Man soon after sought out a cool spot in the shadow of an old wall, and sat down upon a stone. He was surprised, in a few moments, by the Eagle making a descent upon his head and carrying off his hat. The bird bore it off to some distance, and let it fall. The Man ran after his hat and picked it up, wondering why an Eagle to which he had shown so much kindness should play him such a mischievous trick in return. He turned round to go back again to his seat by the wall, and great was his astonishment and thankfulness to see, where the wall had stood, nothing but a heap of stones.

One good turn deserves another.

•  The Oaks and Jupiter

The Oaks presented a complaint to Jupiter, saying, “We bear the burden of life for no purpose, for of all the trees that grow we are the most continually in peril of the axe.” Jupiter made answer: “You have only to thank yourselves for the misfortunes to which you are exposed: for if you did not make such excellent pillars and posts, and prove yourselves so serviceable to the carpenters and the farmers, the axe would not so frequently be laid to your roots.”

•  The Shepherd and the Dog

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?”

To trust a knave is to invite disaster.

•  The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter

A Bull, finding a lion’s cub asleep, gored him to death with his horns. The Lioness came up, and bitterly lamented the death of her young one. A wild-boar Hunter, seeing her distress, stood at a distance and said to her, “Think how many men there are who have reason to lament the loss of their children, whose deaths have been caused by you.”

He who shows no pity, deserves none.

•  The Widow and the Hen

A Widow kept a Hen that laid an egg every morning. The woman thought to herself, “If I double my Hen’s allowance of barley, she will lay twice a day.” So she tried her plan, and the Hen became so fat and sleek, that she left off laying altogether.

Covetousness overreacheth itself.

When you’re doing well, let well enough alone.

•  The Wolf and the Fox

At one time a very large and strong Wolf was born among the wolves, who exceeded all his fellow-wolves in strength, size, and swiftness, so that they unanimously decided to call him “Lion.” The Wolf, with a lack of sense proportioned to his enormous size, thought that they gave him this name in earnest, and, leaving his own race, consorted exclusively with the lions. An old sly Fox, seeing this, said, “May I never make myself so ridiculous as you do in your pride and self-conceit; for even though you have the size of a lion among wolves, in a herd of lions you are definitely a wolf.”

To shine among inferiors is easier than to hold your own among superiors.

•  The Thief and the Dog

A Thief who came to a house one night to rob it, was very much annoyed at finding a stout Dog in the courtyard, who kept up a loud and steady bark. To quiet him, he threw him a tempting piece of meat, whereupon the Dog exclaimed, “When first you came, I fancied you might be a Thief: now that you try to bribe me from my duty, I am sure you are one; and I shan’t leave off barking while you remain about the premises. You shall not be the richer through any fault of mine.”

A bribe in hand betrays mischief at heart.

Sudden generosity may please the foolish, but it sets its traps in vain for the wary.

•  The Hares and the Lions

The Hares addressed 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.”

Arguments backed by power are more convincing.

•  The Weasel and the Mice

A Weasel, weakened with age and infirmities, was not able to catch mice as he once did. He therefore rolled himself in flour and lay down in a dark corner. A Mouse, supposing him to be food, leaped upon him, and was instantly caught. Another perished in a similar manner, and then a third, and still others after them. A very old Mouse, who had escaped many a trap and snare, observed from a safe distance the trick of his crafty foe and said, “Ah! you that lie there, may you prosper just in the same proportion as you are what you pretend to be!”

Where strength fails, guile may succeed.

•  The Hawk and the Nightingale

A Nightingale once fell into the clutches of a hungry Hawk who had been all day on the lookout for food. The Nightingale, about to lose his life, earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted food, ought to pursue the larger birds. “Pray let me go,” said the Nightingale, “I am such a mite for a stomach like yours. I sing so nicely too. Do let me go, it will do you good to hear me.”  “Much good it will do for an empty belly,” replied the Hawk, “and besides, a little bird that I have is more to me than a great one that has yet to be caught.”

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

•  The Goat and the Ass

A Man once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat, envying the Ass on account of his greater abundance of food, said, “How shamefully you are treated: at one time grinding in the mill, and at another carrying heavy burdens;” and he further advised him to pretend to be epileptic and fall into a ditch and so obtain rest. The Ass listened to his words, and falling into a ditch, was very much bruised. His master, sending for a physician, asked his advice. He bade him pour upon the wounds the blood of a Goat. They at once killed the Goat, and so healed the Ass.

Envy shoots at others and wounds himself.
In injuring others we ourselves are apt to receive a greater injury.

•  The Fishermen

Some Fishermen were out trawling their nets. Finding them to be very heavy, they danced about for joy and believed that they had taken a large catch. When they had dragged the nets to the shore they found but few fish: the nets were full of sand and stones. The men were beyond measure cast down—not so much at the disappointment which had befallen them, but because they had formed such very different expectations. One of their company, an old man, said, “Let us cease lamenting, my mates, for, as it seems to me, sorrow is always the twin sister of joy; and it was only to be looked for that we, who just now were over-rejoiced, should next have something to make us sad.”

Disappointment follows undue confidence.

•  The Fowler and the Viper

A Fowler, taking his bird-lime and his twigs, went out to catch birds. Seeing a thrush sitting upon a tree, he wished to take it, and fitting his twigs to a proper length, watched intently, having his whole thoughts directed towards the sky. While thus looking upwards, he unknowingly trod upon a sleeping Viper, which turning about, stung him. Falling into a swoon, the man said to himself, “Woe is me! that while I purposed to hunt another, I am myself fallen unawares into the snares of death.”

He who would trap others should walk warily.

•  The Wasps, the Partridges, and the Farmer

The Wasps and the Partridges, overcome with thirst, came to a Farmer and besought him to give them some water to drink. They promised amply to repay him the favour which they asked. The Partridges declared that they would dig around his vines and make them produce finer grapes. The Wasps said that they would keep guard and drive off thieves with their stings. But the Farmer interrupted them, saying: “I have already two oxen, who, without making any promises, do all these things. It is surely better for me to give the water to them than to you.”

Charity begins at home.

•  The Crow and Mercury

A Crow caught in a snare prayed to Apollo to release him, making a vow to offer some frankincense at his shrine. But when rescued from his danger, he forgot his promise. Shortly afterwards, again caught in a snare, he passed by Apollo and made a promise to offer frankincense to Mercury. Mercury soon appeared and said to him, “O you base fellow! how can I believe you, who have disowned and wronged your former patron?”

False to one, doubted by all.

•  The Gamecocks and the Partridge

A Man had two Gamecocks in his poultry-yard. One day by chance he found a tame Partridge for sale. He purchased it and brought it home to be reared with his Gamecocks. When the Partridge was put into the poultry-yard, they struck at him and followed him about, so that the Partridge became grievously troubled and supposed that he was so badly treated because he was a stranger. When, however, he found that they frequently fought and nearly killed each other, he ceased to wonder that they did not respect him, for they did not respect one another.

Man or beast will ever be true to his nature.

•  The Fox and the Caged Lion

A Fox saw a Lion confined in a cage, and standing near him, bitterly reviled him. The Lion said to the Fox, “It is not thou who revilest me; but this mischance which has befallen me.”

Disaster to the great is a pleasure to the mean.

•  The Hare and the Sparrow

A Hare being seized by an Eagle, cried out in a piteous manner. A passing Sparrow, rather than pitying the poor animal, made merry at his expense. “Why did you stay there to be taken?” said he. “Why were your feet so slow? Could not so swift a creature as you are have easily escaped from an Eagle?” Just then a Hawk swooped down and carried off the Sparrow, who, when he felt the Hawk’s talons in his sides, cried still more loudly than the Hare. “Ah, friend Sparrow,” said the dying Hare, “you thought that you could safely laugh at my misfortune, but you have fallen victim to the same cruel fate!”

Understanding comes with suffering.

•  The Dove and the Crow

A dove that was kept shut up in a cage was congratulating herself upon the number of her family. “Cease, good soul,” said a Crow, “to boast on that subject; for the more young ones you have, so many more slaves will you have to groan over.”

To enjoy our blessings we must have freedom.

•  Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva, and Momus

Jupiter, Neptune, and Minerva once contended which of them should make the most perfect thing. Jupiter made a Man; Pallas made a House; and Neptune made a Bull; and Momus—for he had not yet been turned out of Olympus—was chosen judge to decide which production had the greatest merit. He began by finding fault with the Bull, because his horns were not below his eyes, so that he might see when he butted with them. Next he found fault with the Man, because there was no window in his breast that all might see his inward thoughts and feelings. And lastly he found fault with the House, because it had no wheels to enable its inhabitants to remove from bad neighbours. But Jupiter forthwith drove the critic out of heaven, telling him that a fault-finder could never be pleased, and that it was time to criticise the works of others when he had done some good thing himself.

The unjust are judged according to their judgment.

•  The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods

The gods, according to ancient legend, each chose a certain tree to be under their special protection. Jupiter preferred the oak, Venus the myrtle, Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and Hercules the poplar. Minerva, surprised they should choose barren trees, asked Jupiter the reason. “It is,” said he, “to prevent any suspicion that we confer the honour we do them from an interested motive.”  “Let folly suspect what it pleases,” returned Minerva, “I shall not hesitate to acknowledge that I choose the Olive for the usefulness of its fruit.”  “O daughter,” replied the father of the gods, “you are rightly called wise, for nothing is truly valuable that is not useful.”

Some benefit should attend your actions; to perform them only for the sake of glory is folly.

•  The Jackdaw and the Fox

A half-famished Jackdaw seated himself on a fig-tree, which had produced some fruit entirely out of season, and waited in the hope that the figs would ripen. A Fox seeing him sitting so long and learning the reason of his doing so, said to him, “You are indeed, sir, sadly deceiving yourself; you are indulging a hope strong enough to cheat you, but which will never reward you with enjoyment.”

A lucky chance does not repeat itself.

•  The Puppies and Their Mother

The proud Mother of a family of newborn Puppies asked a sister Dog to let her occupy her kennel for a few days. The other, good-naturedly, moved out and gave her possession. After some days had passed, and she wanted her kennel back, the other pleaded pitifully for a further extension of time, until the Puppies should be strong enough to walk out by themselves. When this time also had passed, and her friend came once more to demand back the kennel, she faced her defiantly in the doorway: “If you think you are a match for me and my stalwart sons,” she said, “come ahead and put us out!”

A favour too long enjoyed is regarded as a right.

•  The Shepherd and the Sheep

A Shepherd driving his Sheep to a wood, saw an oak of unusual size full of acorns, and spreading his cloak under the branches, he climbed up into the tree and shook them down. The Sheep eating the acorns inadvertently frayed and tore the cloak. When the Shepherd came down and saw what was done, he said, “Oh, you most ungrateful creatures! You provide wool to make garments for all other men, but you destroy the clothes of him who feeds you.”

Gratitude is the least of virtues, ingratitude the worst of vices.

•  Ass and the Horse

The Ass one day begged the Horse for a small share of his hay. “Gladly,” said the Horse, “if there were any to spare—and a generous one too, as befits my own dignity. But as soon as I get back to our stable tonight I will see that you have a bag full of oats.” The Ass replied: “Since you refuse me a small favour now, how can I believe that you will do me a bigger one by-and-by?”

Those who offer big promises in place of small help will prove to be unwilling givers.

•  Truth and the Traveller

A wayfaring Man, travelling in the desert, met a woman standing alone and terribly dejected. He inquired of her, “Who art thou?”  “My name is Truth,” she replied. “And for what cause,” he asked, “have you left the city to dwell alone here in the wilderness?” She made answer, “Because in former times, falsehood was with few, but is now with all men.”

•  The Murderer

A Man committed a murder, and was pursued by the relatives of the man whom he murdered. On his reaching the river Nile he saw a Lion on its bank and being fearfully afraid, climbed up a tree. He found a serpent in the upper branches of the tree, and again being greatly alarmed, he threw himself into the river, where a crocodile caught him and ate him. Thus the earth, the air, and the water alike refused shelter to a murderer.

Evil cannot escape its consequences.

•  The Countryman and the Snake

A Countryman returning home one winter’s day, found a Snake by the roadside, half dead with cold. Taking compassion on the creature, he laid it in his bosom, and brought it home to his fireside, to revive it. No sooner had the warmth restored it, than it began to attack the children of the cottage. Upon this the Countryman, whose compassion had saved its life, took up a mattock and laid the Snake dead at his feet.

Those who return evil for good, may expect their neighbour’s pity to be worn out at last.

•  The Hen and the Swallow

A foolish Hen who had no nest of her own found some eggs, and, in the kindness of her heart, thought she would take care of them, and keep them warm. But they were the eggs of a viper. A Swallow, perceiving it, flew to her, and told her what danger she was in, “Be assured,” said she, “you are hatching your own destruction. The moment these young ones see the light, they will turn their venomous spite upon you.”

Cherish an enemy and you may expect injury.
If we nourish evil, it will sooner or later turn upon us.

•  The Jackdaw and the Sheep

A troublesome Jackdaw sat chattering upon the back of a Sheep. “Peace, you noisy thing!” said the Sheep, “if I were a Dog, you would not serve me so.”  “True,” replied the Jackdaw; “I know that. I never meddle with the surly and revengeful, but I love to plague helpless creatures like you, that cannot do me any harm in return. I know whom I may bully and whom I must flatter; and thus I prolong my life to a good old age.”

Pick your enemies.

•  The Mules and the Robbers

Two Mules well-laden with packs were trudging along. One carried panniers filled with gold, the other sacks weighted with grain. The Mule carrying the treasure was so proud of his burden that, although it was very heavy, he would not for the world have the least bit of it taken away. He walked along with stately step, his bells jingling as he went. His companion followed with quiet and easy step.

Suddenly a band of Robbers sprang upon them, attracted by the strong, proud step and the jingling bells. The Mule that carried the gold made so great a commotion that the Robbers seized his pack, wounding him with their weapons, while they took no notice of the grain. The Mule which had been robbed and wounded, bewailed his misfortunes. The other replied, “I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.”

He that shows his wealth to a thief is the cause of his own pillage.

The conspicuous run the greatest risk.

•  The Two Goats

Two Goats started at the same moment, from opposite ends, to cross a rude bridge that was only wide enough for one to cross at a time. Meeting at the middle of the bridge, neither would give way to the other. They locked horns and fought for the right of way, until they both fell into the torrent below and were drowned.

It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through stubbornness.

•  The Panther and the Shepherds

A Panther, by some mischance, fell into a pit. The Shepherds discovered him, and some pelted him with sticks and stones, while others, moved with compassion towards one about to die, threw in some food to prolong his life. At night they returned home, not dreaming of any danger, but supposing that on the morrow they would find him dead. The Panther, however, when he had gathered his feeble strength, freed himself from the pit with a sudden bound, and hastened to his den. After a few days he came forth and slaughtered the cattle, and raging with angry fury, killed the Shepherds who had attacked him. Then the Shepherds who had spared his life, fearing for their safety, surrendered to him their flocks and begged only for their lives. To them the Panther made this reply: “I well remember those who sought my life with stones, and those who gave me food—lay aside your fears. I return as an enemy only to those who injured me.”

Spare your friend, but not your foe.

•  The Fisherman

A Fisherman went to a river to fish; and when he had laid his nets across the stream, he tied a stone to a long cord, and beat the water on either side of the net, to drive the fish into the meshes. One of the neighbours who lived thereabouts seeing him thus employed, went up to him and blamed him exceedingly for disturbing the water: “Friend,” says he, “what are you doing here? Do you think it is to be suffered that you shall stand splashing and dashing the water, and make it so muddy that it is not fit for use? How do you think we can live with this?” The Fisherman replied, “I do not much trouble myself how you are to live with my doing this, but I assure you that I cannot live without it.”

•  The Geese and the Cranes

Some Geese and some Cranes fed together in the same field. One day the sportsmen came suddenly down upon them. The Cranes, being light of body, flew off in a moment and escaped; but the Geese, weighed down by their fat, were all taken.

In civil commotions, they fare best who have least to fetter them.

•  The Ant and the Dove

An Ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Soon after, the Ant saw a man getting ready to kill the Dove with a stone. But just as he cast the stone, the Ant stung him in the heel, so that the pain made him miss his aim, and the startled Dove took wing and flew to safety.

A kindness is never wasted. The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its gratitude.

•  The Swallow and Other Birds

A Farmer was sowing his field with flax. The Swallow observed it, and desired the other Birds to assist her in picking the seed up and destroying it; telling them that flax was that pernicious material of which the thread was composed which made the fowler’s nets, and by that means contributed to the ruin of so many innocent Birds. But the poor Swallow being disregarded, the flax sprung up, and appeared above the ground. She then put them in mind once more of their impending danger, and wished them to pluck it up in the bud before it went any farther. They still neglected her warnings, and the flax grew tall. She yet again desired them to attack it, for that it was not yet too late. But all that she could get was to be ridiculed and despised for a silly, pretending prophet. The Swallow finding all her remonstrances availed nothing, was resolved to leave the society of such unthinking, careless creatures, before it was too late. So quitting the woods, she repaired to the houses, and forsaking the conversation of the Birds, has ever since made her abode among the dwellings of men.

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

The foolish turn a deaf ear to wise counsel.

•  The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls

Two Bulls lived in the same herd, and each aspiring to be the leader and master, they finally engaged in a fierce battle. An old Frog, who sat on the bank of a stream near by, began to groan and to quake with fear. A thoughtless young Frog said to the old one: “Why need you be afraid? What is it to you that the Bulls fight for supremacy?”  “Do you not see,” said the old Frog, “that one must defeat the other, and that the defeated Bull, being driven from the field, will be forced to stay in the marshes, and will thus trample us to death?”

When the mighty quarrel, the humble pay the cost.

•  The Hunter and the Wolf

A greedy Hunter one day shot a fine Deer, and before he could dress it, a pretty Fawn came that way, and an arrow brought it to the ground. A Boar now chanced to be passing, and the Hunter wounded it so that it lay upon the ground as if dead. Not satisfied with this game, he must needs pursue a Partridge that came fluttering near, and while he was doing so the wounded Boar regained enough strength to spring upon him and kill him. A Wolf came that way, and seeing the four dead bodies, said: “Here is food for a month; but I will save the best, and be content today with the bowstring.” But when he seized the string it loosened the fixed arrow, which shot him through the heart.

The greedy man and the miser cannot enjoy their gains.

•  The Doctor and His Patient

A Doctor had been for some time attending a sick Man, who, however, died under his hands. At the funeral the Doctor went about among the relations, saying, “Our poor friend, if he had only refrained from wine, and attended to his inside, and used proper means, would not have been lying there.” One of the mourners answered him, “My good sir, it is of no use your saying this now; you ought to have prescribed these things when your Patient was alive to take them.”

The best advice may come too late.

•  The Hare with Many Friends

A Hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends. So she went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But he declined, stating that he had important work to do for his master. “He felt sure,” he said, “that all her other friends would come to her assistance.” She then applied to the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns. The bull replied: “I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want.” The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it. The ram, he felt sure, was the proper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told him the case. The ram replied: “Another time, my dear friend. I do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well as hares.” The Hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself had declined the task. By this time the hounds were quite near, and the Hare took to her heels and luckily escaped.

He that has too many friends, has no friends.

•  The Mouse and the Boasting Rat

A Mouse lived in a granary which became, after a while, the frequent resort of a Cat. The Mouse was in great fear and did not know what to do. Then she bethought herself of a Rat who lived not far away, and who had said in her hearing a hundred times that he was not afraid of any cat living. She resolved to visit the bold Rat and ask him to drive the Cat away. She found the Rat in his hole and relating her story, begged his help. “Pooh!” said the Rat, “You should be bold as I am; go straight about your affairs, and do not mind the Cat. I will soon follow you, and drive him away.” He thought, now, he must do something to make good his boast. So he collected all the Rats in the neighbourhood, resolved to frighten the Cat by numbers. But when they all came to the granary, they found that the Cat had already caught the foolish Mouse, and a single growl from the Cat sent them all scampering to their holes.

Do not rely upon the boasts of a braggart.

•  The Wolf, the Goat, and the Kid

As an old Goat was going forth to pasture, she carefully latched her door, and bade her kid not to open it to anyone who could not give this password: “A plague on the Wolf, and all his tribe.” A Wolf who was hanging about, unseen by the Goat, heard her words. When she was gone, he tapped at the door, and imitating her voice, said, “A plague on the Wolf, and all his tribe.” He was sure that the door would be opened at once; but the Kid, whose suspicions were aroused, bade him show his beard, and he should be admitted directly. As the Wolf could not do this, he had to depart, no better than he came.

Two sureties are better than one.

•  The Dog’s House

In the wintertime, a Dog curled up in as small a space as possible on account of the cold, decided to make himself a house. However when the summer returned again, he lay asleep stretched at his full length and appeared to himself to be of a great size. Now he considered that it would be neither an easy nor a necessary work to make himself such a house as would accommodate him.

Conditions alter moods.

•  The Thrush and the Fowler

A Thrush was feeding on a myrtle-tree and did not move from it because its berries were so delicious. A Fowler observed her staying so long in one spot, and having well bird-limed his reeds, caught her. The Thrush, being at the point of death, exclaimed, “O foolish creature that I am! For the sake of a little pleasant food I have deprived myself of my life.”

A glutton will risk all to gratify appetite.

•  The Image of Mercury and the Carpenter

A very poor Man, a Carpenter by trade, had a wooden image of Mercury, before which he made offerings day by day, and begged the idol to make him rich, but in spite of his entreaties he became poorer and poorer. At last, being very angry, he took his image down from its pedestal and dashed it against the wall. When its head was knocked off, out came a stream of gold, which the Carpenter quickly picked up and said, “Well, I think you are altogether contradictory and unreasonable; for when I paid you honour, I reaped no benefits: but now that I maltreat you I am loaded with an abundance of riches.”

Help comes when we least expect it.

•  The Seller of Images

A certain Man made a wooden image of Mercury and offered it for sale. When no one appeared willing to buy it, in order to attract purchasers, he cried out that he offered for sale the statue of a benefactor who bestowed wealth and helped to heap up riches. One of the bystanders said to him, “My good fellow, why do you sell him, being such a one as you describe, when you may yourself enjoy the good things he has to give?”  “Why,” he replied, “I am in need of immediate help, and he is accustomed to give his good gifts very slowly.”

No one offers his own good luck for sale.

•  Mercury and the Sculptor

Mercury having a mind to know in what estimation he was held among men, disguised himself, and going into a Sculptor’s workshop, began asking the price of the different statues he saw there. Pointing to an image of Jupiter, he asked how much he wanted for that. “A drachma,” said the image-maker. Mercury laughed in his sleeve, and asked, “How much for this of Juno?” The man wanted a higher price for that. Mercury’s eye now caught his own image. “Now,” thought he, “will this man ask me ten times as much for this, for I am the messenger of heaven, and the source of all his gain.” So he put the question to him, what he valued that Mercury at. “Well,” says the Sculptor, “if you will give me my price for the other two, I will throw that fellow into the bargain.”

They who are over-anxious to know how the world values them, will seldom be set down at their own price.

He who asks what people think of him seldom hears praise.

•  The Wolf and the Lion

One day a Wolf had seized a sheep from a fold, and was carrying it home to his own den, when he met a Lion, who straightway laid hold of the sheep and bore it away. The Wolf, standing at a distance, cried out that it was a great shame: “You have unrighteously taken that which was mine!” To which the Lion jeeringly replied, “It was righteously yours, eh? I suppose, then, that it was your good friend the shepherd who gave it to you? Or did you get it by purchase? If neither of those, how then did you come by it?”

Unlawful possession confers no rights.

One thief is no better than another.

•  The Lion’s Share

A long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing with each other whatever they found. At last they brought down a Stag. Then came the time to divide the spoil. “Quarter me this Stag,” roared the Lion; so the other animals skinned it and cut it into four parts. Then the Lion took his stand in front of the carcass and pronounced judgment:

“The first quarter is for me in my capacity as King of Beasts; the second is mine as arbiter; another share comes to me for my part in the chase; and as for the fourth quarter—well, as for that, I should like to see which of you will dare to lay a paw upon it.”

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

He who will steal a part will steal the whole.

•  The Flea and the Ox

A Flea thus questioned an Ox: “What ails you, that being so huge and strong, you submit to the wrongs you receive from men and slave for them day by day, while I, being so small a creature, mercilessly feed on their flesh and drink their blood without stint?” The Ox replied: “I do not wish to be ungrateful, for I am loved and well cared for by men, and they often pat my head and shoulders.”  “Woe is me!” said the flea; “this very patting which you like, whenever it happens to me, brings with it my inevitable destruction.”

The pleasures of one are the pain of another.

•  The Bull and the Calf

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.”

Do not presume to teach your elders.

•  The Bald Knight

A certain Knight, who wore a wig to conceal his baldness, was out hunting one day. A sudden gust of wind carried away his wig, and showed his bald pate. His friends all laughed heartily at the odd figure he made, but the old fellow, so far from being put out, laughed as heartily as any of them. “Is it any wonder,” said he, “that another man’s hair shouldn’t keep on my head when my own wouldn’t stay there?”

To laugh at oneself disarms ridicule.

•  The Hunter and the Horseman

A certain Hunter, having snared a hare, placed it upon his shoulders and set out homewards. On his way he met a man on horseback who begged the hare of him, under the pretence of purchasing it. However, once the Horseman got the hare, he rode off as fast as he could. The Hunter ran after him, as if he was sure of overtaking him, but the Horseman increased more and more the distance between them. The Hunter, sorely against his will, called out to him and said, “Get along with you! It was meant all along as a present.”

A forced gift lacks grace.

•  The Mole and His Mother

A Mole, a creature blind from birth, once said to his Mother: “I am sure than I can see, Mother!” In the desire to prove to him his mistake, his Mother placed before him a few grains of frankincense, and asked, “What is it?” The young Mole said, “It is a pebble.” His Mother exclaimed: “My son, I am afraid that you are not only blind, but that you have lost your sense of smell.”

Try to conceal one defect and betray another.

•  The Shepherd and the Sea

A Shepherd moved down his flock to feed near the shore, and beholding the Sea lying in a smooth and breathless calm, he was seized with a strong desire to sail over it. So he sold all his sheep and bought a cargo of Dates, and loaded a vessel, and set sail. He had not gone far when a storm arose; his ship was wrecked, his Dates and everything lost, and he himself with difficulty escaped to land. Not long after, when the Sea was again calm, one of his friends came up to him and was admiring its repose. He said, “Have a care, my good fellow, of that smooth surface. It only wants more Dates.”

•  The Camel and the Arab

An Arab Camel-Driver, having loaded his Camel, asked him which he would like best, to go uphill or downhill. The poor beast replied, not without a touch of reason: “Why do you ask? Is it that the level way through the desert is closed?”

•  The Playful Ass

An Ass climbed up to the roof of a building, and frisking about there, broke the tiling. The owner went up after him and quickly drove him down, beating him severely with a thick wooden cudgel. The Ass said, “Why, I saw the Monkey do this very thing yesterday, and you all laughed heartily, as if it afforded you very great amusement.”

Those who do not know their right place must be taught it.

•  The Wolf and the Shepherds

A Wolf, passing by, saw some Shepherds in a hut eating a haunch of mutton for their dinner. Approaching them, he said, “Ah! gentlemen, you are feasting on mutton. I like your taste. But what a hue and cry you would raise if I were to do it.”

We should not condemn others for what we ourselves do.

•  The Farmer and the Lion

A Lion entered one day into a farmyard, and the Farmer, wishing to catch him, shut the gate. When the Lion found that he could not get out, he began at once to attack the sheep, and then betook himself to the oxen. So the Farmer, afraid for himself, now opened the gate, and the Lion made off as fast as he could. His wife, who had observed it all, when she saw her husband in great trouble at the loss of his cattle, cried out: “You are rightly served; for what could have made you so mad as to wish to obtain a creature, which if you saw at a distance, you would wish further off.”

Better to scare a thief than snare him.

Do not pretend to face your enemy when he’s stronger than you.

•  The Flea and the Wrestler

A Flea settled upon the bare foot of a Wrestler and bit him, causing the man to call loudly upon Hercules for help. When the Flea a second time hopped upon his foot, he groaned and said, “O Hercules! if you will not help me against a Flea, how can I hope for your assistance against greater antagonists?”

•  The Fox and the Mask

A Fox entered the house of an actor and, rummaging through all his properties, came upon a Mask, an admirable imitation of a human head. “A fine-looking head, indeed!” cried he; “what a pity it is that it lacks brains!”

A fair face is but half a portion.
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

•  The Monkey and the Cat

A Monkey and a Cat lived in the same family, and it was hard to tell which was the greatest thief. One day, as they were roaming about together, they spied some chestnuts roasting in the ashes of the fire. “Come,” said the cunning Monkey, “we shall not go without our dinner today. Your claws are better than mine for the purpose; you pull them out of the hot ashes and you shall have half.” The Cat pulled them out one by one, burning her paws very much in doing so. When she had stolen every one, she turned to the Monkey for her share of the booty; but, to her chagrin, she found no chestnuts, for he had eaten them all.

A thief cannot be trusted, even by another thief.

•  The Tortoise and the Two Ducks

A Tortoise, becoming tired of her humble home, resolved to visit foreign lands, but she did not know which way to go. She asked two Ducks to show her the road, and they told her that the best way to travel was through the air. On her imploring their help, they made her grasp a stick with her mouth, and so they bore her aloft. As they flew along, the gaping people beneath shouted at sight of the spectacle. The vain Tortoise mistook their shouts for applause. “I am surely a queen,” said she. But, alas! as she opened her mouth to speak she lost her hold of the stick, and, falling to the ground, was dashed to pieces.

Vanity can lead us into folly.

Let everyone stick to his own element.

•  The Hare Afraid of His Ears

The Lion, being badly hurt by the horns of a Goat, swore in a great rage that every animal with horns should be banished from his kingdom. Goats, Bulls, Rams, Deer, and every living thing with horns must be gone quickly, on pain of death. A Hare, seeing the shadow of his ears, was in great fear lest they should be taken for horns. “Goodbye, my friend,” he said to a Cricket who, for many a long summer evening, had chirped to him where he lay dozing: “I must be off from here. My ears are too much like horns for comfort.”  “Horns!” exclaimed the Cricket, “do you take me for a fool? You no more have horns than I have.”  “Say what you please,” replied the Hare, “were my ears only half as long as they are, they would be quite long enough for anyone to lay hold of who wished to make them out to be horns.”

An enemy will seize any excuse to attack you.

•  The Two Men Who Were Enemies

Two Men, deadly enemies to each other, were sailing in the same vessel. Determined to keep as far apart as possible, the one seated himself in the stem, and the other in the prow of the ship. A violent storm arose, and with the vessel in great danger of sinking, the one in the stern inquired of the pilot which of the two ends of the ship would go down first. On his replying that he supposed it would be the prow, the Man said, “Death would not be grievous to me, if I could only see my Enemy die before me.”

Revenge may be sweeter than life.

•  The Eagle and the Kite

An Eagle, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the branches of a tree, in company with a Kite. “Why,” said the Kite, “do I see you with such a rueful look?”  “I seek,” she replied, “for a mate suitable for me, and am not able to find one.”  “Take me,” returned the Kite, “I am much stronger than you are.”  “Why, are you able to secure the means of living by your plunder?”  “Well, I have often caught and carried away an ostrich in my talons.” The Eagle, persuaded by these words, accepted him as her mate. Shortly after the nuptials, the Eagle said, “Fly off, and bring me back the ostrich you promised me.” The Kite, soaring aloft into the air, brought back the shabbiest possible mouse, foul-smelling from the length of time it had lain about the fields. “Is this,” said the Eagle, “the faithful fulfilment of your promise to me?” The Kite replied, “That I might attain to your royal hand, there is nothing that I would not have promised, however much I knew that I must fail in the performance.”

Promises of a suitor must be taken with caution.

All is fair in love…

•  The Birdcatcher and the Lark

A Birdcatcher was setting snares upon a common, when a Lark, who saw him at work, asked him from a distance what he was doing. “I am establishing a colony,” said he, “and laying the foundations of my first city.” Upon that, the man departed and hid himself. The Lark, believing his words, came into the nets and was taken. “A pretty fellow you are!” said the Lark; “if these are the colonies you found, you will not find many immigrants.”

•  The Dog and the Wolf

A Dog was lying asleep in front of a stable. A Wolf suddenly came upon him, and was about to make a meal of him; but the Dog begged for his life, saying:

“I am lean and tough now; but wait a little, for my master is going to give a feast, and then I shall have plenty to eat; I shall grow fat, and make a better meal for you.” So the Wolf agreed, and went away.

By and by he came back, and found the Dog asleep on the housetop. He called to him to come down now and do as he had agreed. But the Dog answered: “Good Wolf, if you ever catch me again asleep in front of the stable, you had better not wait for the feast to come off.”

Once bitten, twice shy.
Wise men, when they escape danger, take care afterwards not to run the same risk.

•  The Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp

Some Bees had built their comb in the hollow trunk of an oak. The Drones asserted that it was their doing, and belonged to them. The case was brought into court before Judge Wasp. Knowing something of the parties, he thus addressed them: “The plaintiffs and defendants are so much alike in shape and colour as to render the ownership a doubtful matter, and the case has very properly been brought before me. The ends of justice, and the object of the court, will best be furthered by the plan which I propose. Let each party take a hive to itself, and build up a new comb, that from the shape of the cells and the taste of the honey, the lawful proprietors of the property in dispute may appear.” The Bees readily assented to the Wasp’s plan. The Drones declined it. Thereupon the Wasp gave judgment: “It is clear now who made the comb, and who cannot make it; the Court adjudges the honey to the Bees.”

Ability proves itself by deeds.

•  The Cat, the Weasel, and the Rabbit

While a Rabbit was absent from his hole one day, a Weasel took possession of it. On the Rabbit’s return, seeing the Weasel’s nose sticking out, he said: “You must leave this hole immediately. There is only room for one, and it has always belonged to me and my fathers before me.”  “The more reason that you should give it up now,” said the Weasel, “and leave its possession to me.” As they could not settle the dispute, they agreed to leave the question of ownership to a wise old Cat, to whom they went without more ado. “I am deaf,” said the Cat. “Put your mouths close to my ears.” No sooner had they done so, than she clapped a paw upon each of them, and killed them both.

The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage.

•  The Ass’s Brains

The Lion and the Fox went hunting together. The Lion, on the advice of the Fox, sent a message to the Ass, proposing to make an alliance between their two families. The Ass came to the place of meeting, overjoyed at the prospect of a royal alliance. But when he came there the Lion simply pounced on the Ass, and said to the Fox: “Here is our dinner for today. Watch you here while I go and have a nap. Woe betide you if you touch my prey.” The Lion went away and the Fox waited; but finding that his master did not return, ventured to take out the brains of the Ass and ate them up. When the Lion came back he soon noticed the absence of the brains, and asked the Fox in a terrible voice: “What have you done with the brains?”

“Brains, your Majesty? it had none, or it would never have fallen into your trap.”

Wit has always an answer ready.

•  The Sow and the Wolf

A Sow had just farrowed, and lay in the sty with her whole litter of piglets about her. A Wolf, who longed for one of them, but knew not how to come at it, endeavoured to insinuate himself into good opinion of the mother. “How does the good woman in the straw do?” said he; “A little fresh air would certainly do you great good. Now, do go abroad and air yourself a little, and I will with pleasure mind your young ones till you return.”  “Many thanks for your offer,” replied the Sow, “I know very well what kind of care you would take of my little ones. You will guard them best when absent. Goodbye.”

There are no snares so dangerous as those laid under the pretence of doing a kindness.

•  The Hen and the Fox

A Fox, having crept into an outbuilding, looked up and down for something to eat, and at last spied a Hen sitting upon a perch high out of his reach. He therefore tried an old stratagem. “Dear cousin,” said he to her, “How do you do? I heard that you were ill, and kept at home; I could not rest, therefore, till I had come to see you. Pray let me feel your pulse. Indeed, you do not look well at all.” He was running on in this impudent manner, when the Hen answered him from the roost, “Truly, dear Reynard, you are in the right. I was seldom in more danger than I am now. Pray excuse me; I am sure I should catch my death if I were to come down.” The Fox, finding himself foiled, made off, and tried his luck elsewhere.

Do not trust kind words from those with ulterior motives.

•  The Dog and the Crocodile

The story goes that when Dogs drink from the River Nile, they keep on running while they drink, so that the Crocodiles cannot catch them. Accordingly, when a certain Dog began to drink as he ran, a Crocodile said to him:

“Don’t be afraid—come on in, and lap the water up at your leisure.”

“Nothing I should like better,” replied the Dog, “if I did not know just how hungrily you are eyeing me.”

Those who give bad advice to cautious men waste their time and make themselves ridiculous.

•  The Lion and the Ass, Hunting

A Lion and an Ass made an agreement to go out hunting together. By-and-by they came to a cave, where many wild goats abode. The Lion took up his station at the mouth of the cave, and the Ass, going within, kicked and brayed and made a mighty fuss to frighten them out. When the Lion had caught very many of them, the conceited Ass came out and asked him if he had not made a noble fight, and routed the goats properly. “Yes, indeed,” said the Lion; “and I assure you, you would have frightened me too, if I had not known you to be an Ass.”

The braggart does not impress nor frighten those who know him.

•  The Sow and the Dog

A Sow and a Dog debated concerning their fruitfulness. The Dog insisted upon it that she brought more at a litter and oftener than any other four-legged creature. “Aye,” said the Sow, “you do indeed, but you are always in so much haste about it, that you bring your puppies into the world blind.”

•  The Rat and the Elephant

A Rat, travelling on the highway, met a huge Elephant, bearing his royal master and his suite, and also his favourite cat and dog, and parrot and monkey. The great beast and his attendants were followed by an admiring crowd, taking up all of the road. “What fools you are,” said the Rat to the people, “to make such a hubbub over an elephant. Is it his great bulk that you so much admire? It can only frighten little boys and girls, and I can do that as well. I am a beast; as well as he, and have as many legs and ears and eyes. He has no right to take up all the highway, which belongs as much to me as to him.” At this moment, the Cat spied the rat, and, jumping to the ground, soon convinced him that he was not an elephant.

A resemblance to the great in some things does not make us great.

•  The Camel

When Man first saw the Camel, he was so frightened at his vast size that he fled away. After a time, perceiving the meekness and gentleness of his temper, he summoned courage enough to approach him. Soon afterwards, observing that he was an animal altogether deficient in spirit, he assumed such boldness as to put a bridle in his mouth, and set a child to drive him.

Use serves to overcome dread.

•  The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog

One moonlight night a Fox was prowling about a farmer’s henhouse, and saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach. “Good news, good news!” he cried. “Why, what is that?” said the Cock. “King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may hurt a bird henceforth, but all shall dwell together in brotherly friendship.”  “Why, that is good news,” said the Cock; “and there I see someone coming, with whom we can share the good tidings.” And so saying he craned his neck forward and looked afar off. “What is it you see?” said the Fox. “It is only my master’s Dog that is coming towards us. What, going so soon?” he continued, for the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had heard the words. “Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign of universal peace?”  “I would gladly do so,” said the Fox, “but I fear he may not have heard of King Lion’s decree.”

Cunning often outwits itself.

The Bear and the Bees

•  The Bear and the Bees

A Bear happened on a fallen tree in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey, and began to nose around the log to find out if the Bees were at home. Just then one of the swarm came home from the clover field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the Bear was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply and then disappeared into the hollow log.

The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the log tooth and claw, to destroy the nest. But this only brought out the whole swarm. The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.

It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage.

•  The Eel and the Snake

“Why is it,” asked the Eel of the Snake, “that although I’m in all respects and beyond question quite like you in appearance, men are always seeking to catch me, while they avoid you?”

“Because,” replied the Snake, “if they went after me they would not escape unpunished.”

The man who knows how to protect himself is safe from his enemies.

•  The Thief and the Boy

A Boy sat weeping upon the side of a well. A Thief happening by asked him why he wept. The Boy, sighing and sobbing, showed a bit of cord, and said that a silver tankard had come off from it, and was now at the bottom of the well. The Thief pulled off his clothes and went down into the well, meaning to keep the tankard for himself. Having groped about for some time without finding it, he came up again, and found not only the Boy gone, but his own clothes also, the dissembling rogue having made off with them.

•  The Man Who Lost His Spade

A Man, digging in his vineyard, laid aside the Spade he was using. When he went to take it up again, it was gone. He called together all his hired men, and asked them if they had seen the tool. They all denied any knowledge of it; and the Man, in a great rage, said he knew that one of them must have taken it, and, let it cost him what it might, he would find out the thief. With that view he insisted upon their going with him to the shrine of a famous oracle in a neighbouring city. Arrived within the city gates, they stopped at the fountain in the marketplace, to bathe their feet. Just at that moment the town crier came up, and in a loud voice announced that, the sacred shrine having been robbed last night, he was told to offer a large reward to any one who could discover the thief. Thereupon the Man at once called upon his men to turn their faces homewards. “If this god,” said he, “cannot tell who has robbed his temple, the chances are that he knows as little who has taken my Spade.”

•  The Ass, the Dog, and the Wolf

A laden Ass was jogging along, followed by his tired master, at whose heels came a hungry Dog. Their path lay across a meadow, and the man stretched himself out on the turf and went to sleep. The Ass fed on the pasture, and was in no hurry at all to move. The Dog alone, being gnawed by the pains of hunger, found the time pass heavily. “Pray, dear companion,” said he to the Ass, “stoop, that I may take my dinner from the pannier.” The Ass turned a deaf ear, and went on cropping away the green and tender grass. The Dog persisted, and at last the Ass replied, “Wait, can’t you, till our master wakes. He will give you your usual portion, without fail.” Just then a famished Wolf appeared upon the scene, and sprang at the throat of the Ass. “Help, help, dear Towzer!” cried the Ass; but the Dog would not budge. “Wait till our master wakes,” said he; “he will come to your help, without fail.” The words were no sooner spoken, than the Ass lay strangled upon the sod.

•  The Falcon and the Capon

A Capon who had strong reasons for thinking that the time of his sacrifice was near at hand, carefully avoided coming into close quarters with any of the farm servants or domestics of the estate on which he lived. A glimpse that he had once caught of the kitchen, with its blazing fire, and the head cook, like an executioner, with a formidable knife, chopping off the heads of some of his companions, had been sufficient to keep him ever after in dread. Hence, one day when he was wanted for roasting, all the calling, clucking, and coaxing of the cook’s assistants were in vain. “How deaf and dull you must be,” said a Falcon to the Capon, “not to hear when you are called, or to see when you are wanted! You should take pattern by me. I never let my master call me twice.”  “Ah,” answered the Capon, “if Falcons were called, like Capons, to be run upon a spit and set before the kitchen fire, they would be just as slow to come, and just as hard of hearing, as I am now.”

•  The Eagle and the Owl

The Eagle and the Owl, after many quarrels, swore that they would be fast friends forever, and that they would never harm each other’s young ones. “But do you know my little ones?” said the Owl. “If you do not, I fear it will go hard with them when you find them.”  “Nay, then, I do not,” replied the Eagle. “The greater your loss,” said the Owl; “they are the sweetest, prettiest things in the world. Such dear eyes! such charming plumage! such winning little ways! You’ll know them, now, from my description.” A short time after, the Eagle found the little ones in a hollow tree. “These hideous little staring frights, at any rate, cannot be neighbour Owl’s delicious pets,” said the Eagle; “so I may make away with them without the least misgiving.” The Owl, finding her young ones gone, loaded the Eagle with reproaches. “Nay,” answered the Eagle, “blame yourself rather than me. If you paint with such flattering colours, it is not my fault if I do not recognise your portraits.”

•  The Blind Man and the Lame Man

A Blind Man, being stopped in a bad piece of road, met a Lame Man, and entreated him to help him out of the difficulty into which he had fallen.

“How can I,” replied the Lame Man, “since I can scarcely drag myself along? I am lame, but you look very strong.”  “I am strong enough,” said the other. “I would go if I could but see the way.”  “Oh, then we may help each other,” said the Lame Man. “If you will take me on your shoulders, we will seek our fortunes together. I will be eyes for you, and you shall be feet for me.”  “With all my heart,” said the Blind Man. “Let us render each other our mutual services.”

So he took his lame companion upon his back, and they travelled on with safety and pleasure.

•  The Ant and the Chrysalis

An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for the first time that it was alive. “Poor, pitiable animal!” cried the Ant disdainfully. “What a sad fate is yours! While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail.” The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly. “Behold in me,” said the Butterfly, “your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb, as long as you can get me to listen.” So saying, the Butterfly rose, borne aloft on the summer breeze, and was soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever.

•  The Hedge and the Vineyard

A foolish young Heir who had just come into possession of his wise father’s estate, caused all the Hedges about his Vineyard to be grubbed up, because they bore no grapes. The removal of the fences laid his grounds open to man and beast, and all his vines were presently destroyed. So the simple fellow learned, when it was too late, that he ought not to expect to gather grapes from brambles, and that it was quite as important to protect his Vineyard as to possess it.

•  The Rose and the Amaranth

An Amaranth planted in a garden near a Rose-Tree, thus addressed it: “What a lovely flower is the Rose, a favourite alike with Gods and with men. I envy you your beauty and your perfume.” The Rose replied, “Indeed, dear Amaranth, I flourish only for a brief season! If no cruel hand plucks me from my stem, yet I must perish by an early doom. But you are immortal and never fade, but bloom forever in renewed youth.”

Better a long life than a brilliant one.

•  The Gourd and the Pine

A Gourd was once planted close beside a large and noble Pine Tree. The season was kindly, and the Gourd shot itself up in a short time, climbing by the boughs and twining about them, till it covered and overtopped the Tree itself. The leaves were so large and the flowers and fruit so fair that the Gourd, comparing them with the slender needles of the Pine, had the assurance to think itself of greater value in the comparison. “Why,” said the Gourd, “you have been more years in growing to this stature than I have been days.”

“That is true,” said the Pine; “but after the many winters and summers that I have endured, the many blasting colds and parching heats, you see me the very same that I was long years ago. Nothing has overcome me. But when your race is put to the proof, the first blight or frost is sure to bring down that pride of yours. In an hour you are stripped of all your glory.”

•  The Drum and the Vase of Sweet Herbs

A Drum once boasted to a Vase of Sweet Herbs in this way: “Listen to me! My voice is loud and can be heard far off. I stir the hearts of men so that when they hear my bold roaring they march out bravely to battle.”

The Vase spoke no words, but gave out a fine, sweet perfume, which filled the air and seemed to say: “I cannot speak, and it is not well to be proud, but I am full of good things that are hidden within me, and that gladly come forth to give cheer and comfort. People are drawn to me in their need, and they remember me afterward with gratitude. But you have nothing in you but noise, and you must be struck to make you give that out. I would not boast so much if I were you.”

•  The Ass Pretending that He Was Ill

A certain Ass had noticed that bread and oats and corn, and other good things were often given to the Pigs, although they did no work, and after they had eaten they would lie down and sleep. The Ass said to himself, “These Pigs lead an easy life; they eat and drink and do nothing else whatever, while I toil all day long and eat very little. I will pretend that I am sick.” Accordingly, he lay down upon the ground and remained comfortably stretched out, but with his eyes closed as though sick. His master, finding him on the ground, tried to rouse him with a whip; but the Ass refused to move. He merely groaned and continued to lie at his ease. Then the master said to his wife, “Evidently our Ass is sick.” The wife replied, “In that case let us give him some oats and corn and bread, and leave him a pail of water.” They did as the wife had suggested; and although at first the Ass ate but sparingly, his appetite increased, and presently he began to grow fat, and said to himself, “I surely am having an easy life!” Meanwhile, the Pigs had been sufficiently fattened, and the master sent for the butcher, who came with axe and knife and killed and dressed the Pigs. When he saw this, the Ass was filled with terror, and thought surely that they would kill him too, now that he was fat. “Far rather,” he said to himself, “would I labour and lead my former life of toil than be idle and fattened like the Pigs for the butcher!” So going forth from the stable, the Ass pranced and frolicked around his master, who promptly put him back to his former work.

•  The Arab and his Camel

One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a Camel gently thrust the flap of the tent aside, and looked in.

“I pray thee, master,” he said, “let me but put my head within the tent, for it is cold without.”

“By all means, and welcome,” said the Arab cheerfully; and the Camel, moving forward, stretched his head into the tent.

“If I might but warm my neck, also,” he said, presently.

“Put also your neck inside,” said the Arab. Soon the Camel, who had been turning his head from side to side, said again:

“It will take but little more room if I place my forelegs within the tent. It is difficult standing without.”

“You may also plant your forelegs within,” said the Arab, moving a little to make room, for the tent was very small.

“May I not stand wholly within?” asked the Camel, finally. “I keep the tent open by standing as I do.”

“Yes, yes,” said the Arab. “I will have pity on you as well as on myself. Come wholly inside.”

So the Camel came forward and crowded into the tent. But the tent was too small for both.

“I think,” said the Camel, “that there is not room for both of us here. It will be best for you to stand outside, as you are the smaller; there will then be room enough for me.”

And with that he pushed the Arab a little, who made haste to get outside of the tent.

The thin edge of the wedge.
Give him an inch and he’ll take a yard.

It is a wise rule to resist the beginnings of evil.

•  The Lion and His Three Councillors

The Lion called the Sheep to ask her if his breath smelled: she said Aye; he bit off her head for a fool. He called the Wolf, and asked him; he said No; he tore him in pieces for a flatterer. At last he called the Fox, and asked him. He said, Truly he had got a cold, and could not smell.

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

•  The Creaking Wheel

A Coachman hearing one of the Wheels of his coach make a great noise, and discerning which was the culprit, asked it how it came to take such a liberty. The Wheel answered that from the beginning of time, creaking had always been the privilege of the weak.

•  The Two Travellers and the Oyster

As two Men were walking by the seaside, they saw an Oyster, and they both stooped at the same time to pick it up. One pushed the other away, and a dispute ensued. A third Traveller coming along at the time, they determined to refer the matter to him, which of the two had the better right to the Oyster. While they were each telling his story, the Arbitrator gravely took out his knife, opened the shell, and loosened the Oyster. When they had finished, and were listening for his decision, he just as gravely swallowed the Oyster, and offered them each a Shell. “The Court,” said he, “awards you each a Shell. The Oyster will cover the court costs.”

•  The Lion, and the Asses and Hares

Upon war breaking out between the birds and the beasts, the Lion summoned all his subjects between the ages of sixteen and sixty, to appear in arms at a certain time and place, upon pain of his high displeasure. A number of Hares and Asses made their appearance on the field. Several of the commanders were for turning them away and discharging them as creatures utterly unfit for service. “Do not be too hasty,” said the Lion; “the Asses will do very well for trumpeters, and the Hares will make excellent letter-carriers.”

•  The Wolves and the Sick Ass

An Ass being sick, the report of it was spread abroad in the country, and some did not hesitate to say that she would die before the night was over. Upon hearing this, several Wolves came to the stable where she lay, and rapping at the door, inquired how she did. The young Ass came out, and told them that her mother was much better than they desired.

•  The Gnat and the Man

As a clownish fellow was sitting on a riverbank, a Gnat settled on his leg and stung it. The Man slapped his leg, meaning to kill the Gnat, but it flew away, and he had nothing but the blow for his pains. Again and again the insect alighted upon the leg, and again and again the Man struck at it, each time more savagely than before. His thigh became bruised all over, but the Gnat was still unharmed and lively. Almost mad with rage and disappointment, the fellow burst into tears. “O mighty Hercules!” cried he, “nothing can withstand thy power. Aid me, then, I beseech thee, against this terrible Gnat, which for an hour has tortured me beyond all bearing!”

•  A Boar Challenges an Ass

Some hard words passed between a Boar and an Ass, and a challenge followed upon them. The Boar, priding himself upon his tusks, and comparing his head with the Ass’s head, looked forward to the fight with confidence. The time for the battle came. The combatants approached one another. The Boar rushed upon the Ass, who, suddenly turning round, let his hoofs fly with all his might right in the jaws of the Boar. The Boar staggered back. “Well,” said he, “who could have expected an attack from that end?”

Life of Aesop

The Life and History of Aesop is involved, like that of Homer, the most famous of Greek poets, in much obscurity. Sardis, the capital of Lydia; Samos, a Greek island; Mesembria, an ancient colony in Thrace; and Cotiaeum, the chief city of a province of Phrygia, contend for the distinction of being the birthplace of Aesop. Although the honor thus claimed cannot be definitely assigned to any one of these places, yet there are a few incidents now generally accepted by scholars as established facts, relating to the birth, life, and death of Aesop. He is, by an almost universal consent, allowed to have been born about the year 620 B.C., and to have been by birth a slave. He was owned by two masters in succession, both inhabitants of Samos, Xanthus and Jadmon, the latter of whom gave him his liberty as a reward for his learning and wit.

One of the privileges of a freedman in the ancient republics of Greece was the permission to take an active interest in public affairs; and Aesop, like the philosophers Phaedo, Menippus, and Epictetus, in later times, raised himself from the indignity of a servile condition to a position of high renown. In his desire alike to instruct and to be instructed, he travelled through many countries, and among others came to Sardis, the capital of the famous king of Lydia, the great patron, in that day, of learning and of learned men. He met at the court of Croesus with Solon, Thales, and other sages, and is related to have so pleased his royal master by the part he took in the conversations held with these philosophers, that he applied to him an expression which has since passed into a proverb – μᾶλλον ὁ Φρύξ – “The Phrygian has spoken better than all.”

On the invitation of Croesus he fixed his residence at Sardis, and was employed by that monarch in various difficult and delicate affairs of State. In his discharge of these commissions he visited the different petty republics of Greece. At one time he is found in Corinth, and at another in Athens, endeavouring, by the narration of some of his wise fables, to reconcile the inhabitants of those cities to the administration of their respective rulers Periander and Pisistratus. One of these ambassadorial missions, undertaken at the command of Croesus, was the occasion of his death. Having been sent to Delphi with a large sum of gold for distribution among the citizens, he was so provoked at their covetousness that he refused to divide the money, and sent it back to his master. The Delphians, enraged at this treatment, accused him of impiety, and, in spite of his sacred character as ambassador, executed him as a public criminal. This cruel death of Aesop was not unavenged. The citizens of Delphi were visited with a series of calamities, until they made a public reparation of their crime; and “The blood of Aesop” became a well-known adage, bearing witness to the truth that deeds of wrong would not pass unpunished. Nor did the great fabulist lack posthumous honours; for a statue was erected to his memory at Athens, the work of Lysippus, one of the most famous of Greek sculptors.  [1]

These few facts are all that can be relied on with any degree of certainty in reference to the birth, life, and death of Aesop. [2]

—George Fyler Townsend

[1]  Phaedrus thus immortalizes the event:

Aesopo ingentem statuam posuere Attici,

Servumque collocarunt aeterna in basi:

Patere honoris scirent ut cuncti viam;

Nec generi tribui sed virtuti gloriam.

[The Athenians erected a costly statue in honour of Aesop, and placed him, though but a slave, upon an eternal pedestal; to show that the way to fame was open to all, and that honours were not confined to birth, but the reward of merit.]

[2]  These facts were first brought to light, after a patient search and diligent perusal of ancient authors, by a Frenchman, M. Claude Gaspard Bachet de Mezeriac, who declined the honor of being tutor to Louis XIII of France, from his desire to devote himself exclusively to literature. He published his Life of Aesop, Anno Domini 1632. The later investigations of a host of English and German scholars have added very little to the facts given by M. Mezeriac. The substantial truth of his statements has been confirmed by later criticism and inquiry. It remains to state, that prior to this publication of M. Mezeriac, the life of Aesop was from the pen of Maximus Planudes, a monk of Constantinople, who was sent on an embassy to Venice by the Byzantine Emperor Andronicus the elder, and who wrote in the early part of the fourteenth century. His life was prefixed to all the early editions of these fables, and was republished as late as 1727 by Archdeacon Croxall as the introduction to his edition of Aesop. This life by Planudes contains, however, so small an amount of truth, and is so full of absurd pictures of the grotesque deformity of Aesop, of wondrous apocryphal stories, of lying legends, and gross anachronisms, that it is now universally condemned as false, puerile, and unauthentic. It is given up in the present day, by general consent, as unworthy of the slightest credit.
—G.F.T.

Commentary

Aesop embodies an epigram not uncommon in human history; his fame is all the more deserved because he never deserved it. The firm foundations of common sense, the shrewd shots at uncommon sense, that characterise all the Fables, belong not him but to humanity. In the earliest human history whatever is authentic is universal: and whatever is universal is anonymous. In such cases there is always some central man who had first the trouble of collecting them, and afterwards the fame of creating them. He had the fame; and, on the whole, he earned the fame. There must have been something great and human, something of the human future and the human past, in such a man: even if he only used it to rob the past or deceive the future. The story of Arthur may have been really connected with the most fighting Christianity of falling Rome or with the most heathen traditions hidden in the hills of Wales. But the word “Mappe” or “Malory” will always mean King Arthur; even though we find older and better origins than the Mabinogian; or write later and worse versions than the “Idylls of the King.” The nursery fairy tales may have come out of Asia with the Indo-European race, now fortunately extinct; they may have been invented by some fine French lady or gentleman like Perrault: they may possibly even be what they profess to be. But we shall always call the best selection of such tales “Grimm’s Tales”: simply because it is the best collection.

The historical Aesop, in so far as he was historical, would seem to have been a Phrygian slave, or at least one not to be specially and symbolically adorned with the Phrygian cap of liberty. He lived, if he did live, about the sixth century before Christ, in the time of that Croesus whose story we love and suspect like everything else in Herodotus. There are also stories of deformity of feature and a ready ribaldry of tongue: stories which (as the celebrated Cardinal said) explain, though they do not excuse, his having been hurled over a high precipice at Delphi. It is for those who read the Fables to judge whether he was really thrown over the cliff for being ugly and offensive, or rather for being highly moral and correct. But there is no kind of doubt that the general legend of him may justly rank him with a race too easily forgotten in our modern comparisons: the race of the great philosophic slaves. Aesop may have been a fiction like Uncle Remus: he was also, like Uncle Remus, a fact. It is a fact that slaves in the old world could be worshipped like Aesop, or loved like Uncle Remus. It is odd to note that both the great slaves told their best stories about beasts and birds.

But whatever be fairly due to Aesop, the human tradition called Fables is not due to him. This had gone on long before any sarcastic freedman from Phrygia had or had not been flung off a precipice; this has remained long after. It is to our advantage, indeed, to realise the distinction; because it makes Aesop more obviously effective than any other fabulist. Grimm’s Tales, glorious as they are, were collected by two German students. And if we find it hard to be certain of a German student, at least we know more about him than we know about a Phrygian slave. The truth is, of course, that Aesop’s Fables are not Aesop’s fables, any more than Grimm’s Fairy Tales were ever Grimm’s fairy tales. But the fable and the fairy tale are things utterly distinct. There are many elements of difference; but the plainest is plain enough. There can be no good fable with human beings in it. There can be no good fairy tale without them.

Aesop, or Babrius (or whatever his name was), understood that, for a fable, all the persons must be impersonal. They must be like abstractions in algebra, or like pieces in chess. The lion must always be stronger than the wolf, just as four is always double of two. The fox in a fable must move crooked, as the knight in chess must move crooked. The sheep in a fable must march on, as the pawn in chess must march on. The fable must not allow for the crooked captures of the pawn; it must not allow for what Balzac called “the revolt of a sheep” The fairy tale, on the other hand, absolutely revolves on the pivot of human personality. If no hero were there to fight the dragons, we should not even know that they were dragons. If no adventurer were cast on the undiscovered island—it would remain undiscovered. If the miller’s third son does not find the enchanted garden where the seven princesses stand white and frozen—why, then, they will remain white and frozen and enchanted. If there is no personal prince to find the Sleeping Beauty she will simply sleep. Fables repose upon quite the opposite idea; that everything is itself, and will in any case speak for itself. The wolf will be always wolfish; the fox will be always foxy. Something of the same sort may have been meant by the animal worship, in which Egyptian and Indian and many other great peoples have combined. Men do not, I think, love beetles or cats or crocodiles with a wholly personal love; they salute them as expressions of that abstract and anonymous energy in nature which to anyone is awful, and to an atheist must be frightful. So in all the fables that are or are not Aesop’s all the animal forces drive like inanimate forces, like great rivers or growing trees. It is the limit and the loss of all such things that they cannot be anything but themselves: it is their tragedy that they could not lose their souls.

This is the immortal justification of the Fable: that we could not teach the plainest truths so simply without turning men into chessmen. We cannot talk of such simple things without using animals that do not talk at all. Suppose, for a moment, that you turn the wolf into a wolfish baron, or the fox into a foxy diplomatist. You will at once remember that even barons are human, you will be unable to forget that even diplomatists are men. You will always be looking for that accidental good-humour that should go with the brutality of any brutal man; for that allowance for all delicate things, including virtue, that should exist in any good diplomatist. Once put a thing on two legs instead of four and pluck it of feathers and you cannot help asking for a human being, either heroic, as in the fairy tales, or un-heroic, as in the modern novels.

But by using animals in this austere and arbitrary style as they are used on the shields of heraldry or the hieroglyphics of the ancients, men have really succeeded in handing down those tremendous truths that are called truisms. If the chivalric lion be red and rampant, it is rigidly red and rampant; if the sacred ibis stands anywhere on one leg, it stands on one leg forever. In this language, like a large animal alphabet, are written some of the first philosophic certainties of men. As the child learns A for Ass or B for Bull or C for Cow, so man has learned here to connect the simpler and stronger creatures with the simpler and stronger truths. That a flowing stream cannot befoul its own fountain, and that anyone who says it does is a tyrant and a liar; that a mouse is too weak to fight a lion, but too strong for the cords that can hold a lion; that a fox who gets most out of a flat dish may easily get least out of a deep dish; that the crow whom the gods forbid to sing, the gods nevertheless provide with cheese; that when the goat insults from a mountain-top it is not the goat that insults, but the mountain: all these are deep truths deeply graven on the rocks wherever men have passed. It matters nothing how old they are, or how new; they are the alphabet of humanity, which like so many forms of primitive picture-writing employs any living symbol in preference to man. These ancient and universal tales are all of animals; as the latest discoveries in the oldest pre-historic caverns are all of animals. Man, in his simpler states, always felt that he himself was something too mysterious to be drawn. But the legend he carved under these cruder symbols was everywhere the same; and whether fables began with Aesop or began with Adam, whether they were German and mediaeval as Reynard the Fox, or as French and Renaissance as La Fontaine, the upshot is everywhere essentially the same: that superiority is always insolent, because it is always accidental; that pride goes before a fall; and that there is such a thing as being too clever by half. You will not find any other legend but this written upon the rocks by any hand of man. There is every type and time of fable: but there is only one moral to the fable; because there is only one moral to everything.

—G. K. CHESTERTON

Index of Titles

A •  B •  C •  D •  E •  F •  G •  H •  I •  J •  K • L •  M •  N •  O •  P •  Q •  R •  S •  T •  V •  W •  Y

A
<>  Aethiop
<>  Androcles and the Lion
<>  Ant and the Chrysalis
<>  Ant and the Dove
<>  Ants and the Grasshopper
<>  Ape and Her Young Ones
<>  Apes and the Two Travellers
<>  Arab and his Camel
<>  Ass and His Driver
<>  Ass And His Masters
<>  Ass and His Purchaser
<>  Ass and the Charger
<>  Ass and the Frogs
<>  Ass and the Grasshoppers
<>  Ass and the Horse
<>  Ass and the Lapdog
<>  Ass and the Mule
<>  Ass and the Wolf
<>  Ass Carrying Salt
<>  Ass Eating Thistles
<>  Ass in the Lion’s Skin
<>  Ass Pretending that He Was Ill
<>  Ass, the Cock, and the Lion
<>  Ass, the Dog, and the Wolf
<>  Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
<>  Ass’s Brains
<>  Ass’s Shadow
<>  Astronomer
TOP
B
<>  Bald Knight
<>  Bald Man and the Fly
<>  Bat And The Weasels
<>  Bear and the Beehives
<>  Bear and the Bees
<>  Bear and the Fox
<>  Bear and the Two Travellers
<>  Bee and Jupiter
<>  Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp
<>  Belly and the Members
<>  Birdcatcher and the Lark
<>  Birdcatcher, the Partridge, and the Cock
<>  Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat
<>  Blacksmith And His Dog
<>  Blind Man and the Cub
<>  Blind Man and the Lame Man
<>  Boar and the Ass
<>  Boar Challenges an Ass
<>  Boasting Traveller
<>  Bowman and the Lion
<>  Boy and the Filberts
<>  Boy and the Nettles
<>  Boy and the Scorpion
<>  Boy Bathing
<>  Boys and the Frogs
<>  Brother and the Sister
<>  Buffoon and the Countryman
<>  Bull and the Calf
<>  Bull and the Goat

<>  Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter

<>  Bundle of Sticks
TOP
C
<>  Camel
<>  Camel and Jupiter
<>  Camel and the Arab
<>  Cat and the Birds
<>  Cat and the Cock
<>  Cat and the Fox
<>  Cat and the Mice
<>  Cat, the Weasel, and the Rabbit
<>  Charger and the Miller
<>  Cobbler Turned Doctor
<>  Cock and the Fox
<>  Cock and the Jewel
<>  Collier and the Fuller
<>  Countryman and the Snake
<>  Crab and His Mother
<>  Crab and the Fox
<>  Creaking Wheel
<>  Crow and Mercury
<>  Crow and the Pitcher
<>  Crow and the Raven
<>  Crow and the Serpent
<>  Cupid and Death
TOP
D
<>  Dancing Monkeys
<>  Doctor and His Patient
<>  Doe and the Lion
<>  Dog and the Cook
<>  Dog and the Crocodile
<>  Dog and the Oyster
<>  Dog and the Shadow
<>  Dog and the Sheep
<>  Dog and the Wolf
<>  Dog in the Manger
<>  Dog, the Cock, and the Fox
<>  Dog’s House
<>  Dogs and the Fox
<>  Dogs and the Hides
<>  Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat
<>  Dove and the Crow
<>  Drum and the Vase of Sweet Herbs
TOP
E
<>  Eagle and His Captor
<>  Eagle and the Arrow
<>  Eagle and the Beetle
<>  Eagle and the Fox
<>  Eagle and the Jackdaw
<>  Eagle and the Kite
<>  Eagle and the Owl
<>  Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow
<>  Eel and the Snake
<>  Envious Man and the Covetous
TOP
F
<>  Falcon and the Capon
<>  Farmer and His Sons
<>  Farmer and the Cranes
<>  Farmer and the Fox
<>  Farmer and the Lion
<>  Farmer and the Snake
<>  Farmer and the Stork
<>  Fatal Courtship
<>  Fawn and Her Mother
<>  Fighting Cocks and the Eagle
<>  Fir-Tree and the Bramble
<>  Fisherman
<>  Fisherman and the Little Fish
<>  Fisherman Piping
<>  Fishermen
<>  Flea and the Man
<>  Flea and the Ox
<>  Flea and the Wrestler
<>  Flies and the Honey-Pot
<>  Fly and the Draught-Mule
<>  Fortune and the Farmer
<>  Fortune and the Traveller
<>  Four Oxen and the Lion
<>  Fowler and the Ringdove
<>  Fowler and the Viper
<>  Fox and the Bramble
<>  Fox and the Caged Lion
<>  Fox and the Crow
<>  Fox and the Goat
<>  Fox and the Grapes
<>  Fox and the Hedgehog
<>  Fox and the Lion
<>  Fox and the Mask
<>  Fox and the Monkey
<>  Fox and the Monkey King
<>  Fox and the Stork
<>  Fox and the Tiger
<>  Fox and the Woodman
<>  Fox in the Well
<>  Fox Without a Tail
<>  Fox, the Cock, and the Dog
<>  Frog and the Ox
<>  Frogs and the Fighting Bulls
<>  Frogs Asking for a King
TOP
G
<>  Gamecocks and the Partridge
<>  Geese and the Cranes
<>  Gnat and the Bull
<>  Gnat and the Lion
<>  Gnat and the Man
<>  Goat and the Ass
<>  Goat and the Goatherd
<>  Goat and the Vine
<>  Goatherd and the Wild Goats
<>  Goods and the Ills
<>  Goose with the Golden Eggs
<>  Gourd and the Pine
<>  Grasshopper and the Owl
<>  Great and the Little Fishes
<>  Gull and the Kite
TOP
H
<>  Hare Afraid of His Ears
<>  Hare and the Hound
<>  Hare and the Sparrow
<>  Hare with Many Friends
<>  Hares and the Foxes
<>  Hares and the Frogs
<>  Hares and the Lions
<>  Hart and the Vine
<>  Hawk and the Farmer
<>  Hawk and the Nightingale
<>  Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons
<>  Hedge and the Vineyard
<>  Heifer and the Ox
<>  Hen and the Fox
<>  Hen and the Swallow
<>  Hercules and the Wagoner
<>  Herdsman and the Lost Calf
<>  Horse and the Groom
<>  Horse and His Rider
<>  Horse and the Ass
<>  Horse and the Lion
<>  Horse and the Stag
<>  Hound and the Hare
<>  Hunter and the Horseman
<>  Hunter and the Wolf
<>  Hunter and the Woodman
<>  Huntsman and the Fisherman
TOP
I
<>  Image of Mercury and the Carpenter
TOP
J
<>  Jackass in Office
<>  Jackdaw and the Doves
<>  Jackdaw and the Fox
<>  Jackdaw and the Sheep
<>  Jupiter and the Monkey
<>  Jupiter and the Two Bags
<>  Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva, and Momus
TOP
K
<>  Kid Pursued by the Wolf
<>  Kingdom of the Lion
<>  Kite and the Pigeons
<>  Kites and the Swans
TOP
L
<>  Lamb and the Wolf
<>  Lamp
<>  Lark and Her Young Ones
<>  Lark Burying Her Father
<>  Leopard and the Fox
<>  Lion and His Three Councillors
<>  Lion and Other Beasts, Hunting
<>  Lion and the Ass, Hunting
<>  Lion, and the Asses and Hares
<>  Lion and the Boar
<>  Lion and the Bull
<>  Lion and the Dolphin
<>  Lion and the Eagle
<>  Lion and the Elephant
<>  Lion and the Fox
<>  Lion and the Hare
<>  Lion and the Mouse
<>  Lion, the Ass, and the Fox, Hunting
<>  Lion, the Bear, and the Fox
<>  Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox
<>  Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox
<>  Lion in Love
<>  Lion’s Share
<>  Lioness
TOP
M
<>  Man and His Two Daughters
<>  Man and His Two Sweethearts
<>  Man and His Wife
<>  Man and the Lion
<>  Man and the Satyr
<>  Man Bitten by a Dog
<>  Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog
<>  The Man Who Lost His Spade
<>  Marriage of the Sun
<>  Master and His Dogs
<>  Mercury and the Sculptor
<>  Mercury and the Woodmen
<>  Mice and the Weasels
<>  Mice in Council
<>  Milkmaid and Her Pail
<>  Miller, His Son, and Their Ass
<>  Mischievous Dog
<>  Miser and His Gold
<>  Mole and His Mother
<>  Monkey and the Camel
<>  Monkey and the Cat
<>  Monkey and the Dolphin
<>  Monkey and the Fishermen
<>  Monkey Holding Court
<>  Moon and Her Mother
<>  Mountain in Labour
<>  Mouse and the Boasting Rat
<>  Mouse and the Bull
<>  Mouse and the Frog
<>  Mouse and the Weasel
<>  Mule
<>  Mules and the Robbers
<>  Murderer
TOP
N
<>  North Wind and the Sun
<>  Nurse and the Wolf
TOP
O
<>  Oak and the Reeds
<>  Oaks and Jupiter
<>  Old Hound
<>  Old Lion
<>  Old Man and Death
<>  Old Woman and Her Maids
<>  Old Woman and the Physician
<>  Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
<>  Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree
<>  One-Eyed Doe
<>  Owl and the Birds
<>  Oxen and the Axle-Trees
<>  Oxen and the Butchers
TOP
P
<>  Panther and the Shepherds
<>  Partridge and the Fowler
<>  Peacock and Juno
<>  Peacock and the Crane
<>  Peacock and the Magpie
<>  Peasant and the Apple-Tree
<>  Peasant and the Eagle
<>  Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury
<>  Piglet and the Sheep
<>  Playful Ass
<>  Pomegranate, Apple-Tree, and Bramble
<>  Porcupine and the Snakes
<>  Prophet
<>  Puppies and Their Mother
TOP
Q
<>  Quack Frog
TOP
R
<>  Rat and the Elephant
<>  Raven and the Swan
<>  Rich Man and the Tanner
<>  Rivers and the Sea
<>  Rose and the Amaranth
TOP
S
<>  Seaside Travellers
<>  Seller of Images
<>  Sensible Ass
<>  Serpent and the Eagle
<>  Serpent and the Man
<>  Sheep and the Dog
<>  Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf
<>  She-Goats and Their Beards
<>  Shepherd and the Dog
<>  Shepherd and the Sea
<>  Shepherd and the Sheep
<>  Shepherd and the Wolf
<>  Shepherd-Boy and the Wolf
<>  Shipwrecked Man and the Sea
<>  Sick Kite
<>  Sick Lion
<>  Sick Stag
<>  Sow and the Dog
<>  Sow and the Wolf
<>  Spendthrift and the Swallow
<>  Stag at the Pool
<>  Stag in the Ox-Stall
<>  Swallow and Other Birds
<>  Swallow and the Crow
<>  Swallow in Chancery
<>  Swan and the Goose
TOP
T
<>  Thief and His Mother
<>  Thief and the Boy
<>  Thief and the Dog
<>  Thief and the Innkeeper
<>  Thieves and the Cock
<>  Thirsty Pigeon
<>  Three Tradesmen
<>  Thrush and the Fowler
<>  Tortoise and the Eagle
<>  Tortoise and the Hare
<>  Tortoise and the Two Ducks
<>  Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
<>  Traveller and His Dog
<>  Travellers and the Plane-Tree
<>  Travellers and the Purse
<>  Trees and the Axe
<>  Trees Under the Protection of the Gods
<>  Trumpeter Taken Prisoner
<>  Truth and the Traveller
<>  Tunny-Fish and the Dolphin
<>  Two Dogs
<>  Two Frogs
<>  Two Frogs and the Well
<>  Two Goats
<>  Two Men Who Were Enemies
<>  Two Pots
<>  Two Soldiers and the Robber
<>  Two Travellers and the Oyster
TOP
V
<>  Vain Jackdaw
<>  Venus and the Cat
<>  Viper and the File
TOP
W
<>  Walnut-Tree
<>  Wasp and the Snake
<>  Wasps, the Partridges, and the Farmer
<>  Weasel and the Mice
<>  Widow and the Hen
<>  Widow and the Sheep
<>  Wild Boar and the Fox
<>  Wolf and His Shadow
<>  Wolf and the Crane
<>  Wolf and the Fox
<>  Wolf and the Goat
<>  Wolf and the Horse
<>  Wolf and the Housedog
<>  Wolf and the Kid
<>  Wolf And The Lamb
<>  Wolf and the Lion
<>  Wolf and the Sheep
<>  Wolf and the Shepherd
<>  Wolf and the Shepherds
<>  Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
<>  Wolf, the Goat, and the Kid
<>  Wolves and the Sheepdogs
<>  Wolves and the Sheep
<>  Wolves and the Sick Ass
TOP
Y
<>  Young Man and the Painted Lion

Index of Morals

A •  B •  C •  D •  E •  F •  G •  H •  I •  J •  K • L •  M •  N •  O •  P •  Q •  R •  S •  T •  U V •  W •  Y Z

A

<>  Ability proves itself by deeds.

<>  Sometimes, you must accept the inevitable.

<>  Acquaintance softens prejudices.

<>  Act in haste and repent at leisure.

<>  Act in haste and repent at leisure—and often in pain.

<>  Actions speak louder than words.

<>  Advantages that are dearly bought are doubtful blessings.

<>  Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is prudent to see our way out before we venture in.

<>  All is fair in love…

<>  Alliances prompted by ambition often prove disastrous.

<>  Ambition oft-times overleaps itself and falls into great peril.

<>  Appearances can be deceptive.

<>  Appearances don’t always tell the whole story.

<>  Arguments backed by power are more convincing.

<>  As in the body, so in the state: each member in his proper sphere must work for the common good of all.

<>  Asking too much, we may lose the little that we had before.

<>  Attempt not impossibilities. Those who aim at an object by unreasonable means, are apt to ruin themselves in the attempt.

<>  Avarice is both knave and fool.

<>  Avoid a remedy that is worse than the disease.

<>  Avoid too-powerful neighbours: should there be a collision, the weakest goes to the wall.

TOP

B

<>  Bad company proves more than fair possessions.

<>  The battle is not always to the strong.
Do not despise an enemy because he is small.

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

<>  Be on guard against men who can strike from a distance.

<>  Be prepared. It is too late to whet the sword when the trumpet sounds to draw it.

<>  Beauty is but skin deep.

<>  Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. What is valuable to one may be worthless to another.

<>  The best advice may come too late.

<>  Better a long life than a brilliant one.

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

<>  Better humble security than gilded danger.

<>  Better one safe plan than a hundred on which you cannot reckon.

<>  Better poverty without a care, than the obligations of wealth.

<>  Better second best than nothing at all.

<>  Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk a greater in removing it.

<>  Better to save a man from dying than honour him when dead.

<>  Better to scare a thief than snare him.

<>  Better to starve free than be a fat slave.
Nothing can compensate us for the loss of our liberty.

<>  Better war than ignoble peace.

<>  Beware of a friend with an ulterior motive.

<>  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

<>  Birds of a feather flock together; you are known by the company you keep.

<>  Borrowed garments never set well.

<>  The braggart does not impress nor frighten those who know him.

<>  A bribe in hand betrays mischief at heart.

TOP

C

<>  Carelessness has consequences.

<>  Change of scene is not change of nature.

<>  Charity begins at home.

<>  Cherish an enemy and you may expect injury. If we nourish evil, it will sooner or later turn upon us.

<>  Children are not to be blamed for the faults of their parents.

<>  Circumstances alter cases.

<>  Clumsy jesting is no joke.

<>  The commands of inferiors go unheeded.

<>  Common sense is always worth more than cunning.

<>  Conditions alter moods.

<>  Consider all the facts before you judge.

<>  The conspicuous run the greatest risk.

<>  Contentment with our lot is an element of happiness.

<>  Counsel without help is useless.

<>  Count the cost before you commit yourself.

<>  The covetous are poor givers.

<>  Covetousness overreacheth itself.

<>  A coward can be a hero at a distance; it is presence of danger that tests the presence of mind.

<>  Cunning often outwits itself.

<>  Cupid’s arrows are as perilous as they are capricious.

<>  Curry favour with both, displease both.

<>  Custom becomes second nature.

TOP

D

<>  Dangers seem greatest at a distance; and coming events are magnified according to the interest or inclination of the beholder.

<>  A deathbed repentance is poor amends for the errors of a lifetime.

<>  Deeds, not words.

<>  Deeds, not words, help in time of danger.

<>  Dependents make poor supports.

<>  The desire for imaginary benefits may result in loss of present blessings.

<>  Desire things you don’t understand and you accept the consequences.

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

<>  Dignity cannot afford to quarrel with its inferiors.

<>  Diligence makes riches.

<>  Disappointment follows undue confidence.

<>  Disaster to the great is a pleasure to the mean.

<>  A disobliging temper carries its own punishment along with it.

<>  Divide and conquer.

<>  Dissatisfaction tends to diminish the value of present possessions.

<>  Do not attempt too much at once.

<>  Do not be deceived by the innocent airs of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.

<>  Do not be greedy for a little passing pleasure. It may destroy you.

<>  Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another.

<>  Do not begrudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.

<>  Do not believe everything you hear.

<>  Do not boast of your power till you have tested your enemy’s strength.

<>  Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

<>  Do not hope to succeed in borrowed plumes.

<>  Do not let anything turn you from your purpose.

<>  Do not let your hopes carry you away from reality.

<>  Do not pretend to face your enemy when he’s stronger than you.

<>  Do not presume to teach your elders.

<>  Do not rely upon the boasts of a braggart.

<>  Do not trust kind words from those with ulterior motives.

<>  Do not waste your pity on a scamp.

<>  Do nothing without a regard to the consequences.

<>  Don’t make a big fuss over nothing.

<>  Don’t over-estimate your own importance

<>  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.

<>  Durability is better than show.

TOP

E

<>  Each in his own place is best. Do not try to gain favour by acting in a way that is contrary to your own nature and character.

<>  East or west, home is best.

<>  Enemies’ promises are made to be broken.

<>  An enemy will seize any excuse to attack you.

<>  Envy and Avarice are twin brothers of an evil house, as cruel as they are selfish.

<>  Envy shoots at others and wounds himself.

<>  Envy without prudence leads astray.

<>  Even the weak may find a way to avenge a wrong.

<>  Equals make the best friends.

<>  Every man for himself.

<>  Every man should be content to mind his own business.

<>  Every man to his own trade.

<>  Every tale is not to be believed.

<>  Every truth has two sides; it is well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.

<>  Everyone is more or less master of his own fate.
Fortune is not answerable for our want of foresight.

<>  Everyone to his own taste. It is wisely ordered that what one rejects should be the choice of another.

<>  Evil cannot escape its consequences.

<>  Evil is quickly done but slow to undo.

<>  An evil mind will show in evil action, sooner or later.

<>  Evil tendencies are shown in early life.

<>  Evil wishes, like chickens, come home to roost.
He that prays harm for his neighbour, begs a curse upon himself.

<>  The evildoer often comes to harm through his own deceit.

<>  Expect no reward for serving the wicked, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

TOP

F

<>  Facts speak louder than words.

<>  A fair face is but half a portion.
Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

<>  Fair-weather friends are not worth much.

<>  A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy.

<>  A false tale often betrays itself.

<>  False to one, doubted by all.

<>  Familiarity breeds contempt.

<>  Favour those who do you kindness.

<>  A favour too long enjoyed is regarded as a right.

<>  Few are free from the faults they condemn.

<>  Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.

<>  Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.

<>  Flattery is not a proof of admiration.

<>  The folly of many makes the fortune of one.

<>  Foolish curiosity and vanity can lead to misfortune.

<>  A foolish peace is more destructive than a bloody war.

<>  The foolish turn a deaf ear to wise counsel.

<>  Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.

<>  A forced gift lacks grace.

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G

<>  A glutton will risk all to gratify appetite.

<>  Good deeds are rewarded.

<>  The good things are appreciated more when they are gone.

<>  Good will is worth little unless it is accompanied by good acts.

<>  A grain of help is worth a bushel of pity.

<>  Granted prayers are sometimes curses. Do not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they were granted.

<>  Gratitude is the least of virtues, ingratitude the worst of vices.

<>  Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

<>  Greatness carries its own penalties.
There is no distinction without its accompanying danger.

<>  The greedy man and the miser cannot enjoy their gains.

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H

<>  Handsome is as handsome does.

<>  Havoc can be wrought by a man with a false tongue.

<>  He is no friend who plays double.

<>  He is not to be trusted as a friend who mistreats his own family.

<>  He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.

<>  He that has too many friends, has no friends.

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

<>  He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.

<>  He who asks what people think of him seldom hears praise.

<>  He who excuses himself accuses himself.

<>  He who has not, fears not to lose.

<>  He who incites to strife is worse than he who takes part in it.

<>  He who listens to the music of flattery may expect to pay the piper.

<>  He who once earns a reputation for lying will not be believed even when he tells the truth.

<>  He who plays a trick must be prepared to take a joke.

<>  He who plays the fool will miss the prize.

<>  He who proclaims himself ready to buy up his enemies will never want a supply of them.

<>  He who shares the danger ought to share the prize.

<>  He that shows his wealth to a thief is the cause of his own pillage.

<>  He who shows no pity, deserves none.

<>  He who slights his friends when he does not need their best offices must not expect them to help him when he needs them again.

<>  He who will steal a part will steal the whole.

<>  He who would make jokes must take jokes.
Those who practice cunning must expect to suffer by it.

<>  He who would trap others should walk warily.

<>  Heaven helps those who help themselves.

<>  Help comes when we least expect it.

<>  Honesty is the best policy.

<>  Hypocrites discovered are outcasts.

<>  Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.

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I

<>  If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined.

<>  If words suffice not, blows must follow.

<>  If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

<>  If you attempt what is beyond your power, your trouble will be wasted and you court not only misfortune but ridicule.

<>  If you teach evil, expect evil.

<>  If you wish to do a service, do it right.

<>  Ill-gotten gains bring many pains.

<>  Imitation is no substitute for knowledge.

<>  In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.

<>  In choosing allies we must look to their ability, as well as to their will, to aid us.

<>  In civil commotions, they fare best who have least to fetter them.

<>  In injuring others we ourselves are apt to receive a greater injury.

<>  In quarrelling over the Shadow, we often lose the Substance.

<>  In rash endeavours to reduce existing ills, we may easily increase our troubles.

<>  In the face of a common danger, small differences are forgotten.

<>  In yielding the rights of others, we may endanger our own.

<>  Incentive spurs effort.

<>  Ingratitude is as blind as it is base.

<>  Ingratitude sometimes brings its own punishment.

<>  Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.

<>  It is a dangerous thing for people to call in a powerful and an ambitious man for their protector.

<>  It is a great art to do the right thing at the right time.

<>  It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through stubbornness.

<>  It is cowardly to attack the defenceless, though he be an enemy.

<>  It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.

<>  It is easier to convince a man against his senses than against his will.

<>  It is easier to keep an intruder out than to compel him to leave.

<>  It is easier to see another’s fault than our own.

<>  It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.

<>  It is easy to be brave when there is no danger.

<>  It is easy to kick a man that is down.

<>  It is easy to propose impossible remedies.

<>  It is foolish vanity to try to ape our betters.

<>  It is harder to bear the insolence of inferiors than the slights of equals.

<>  It is no use trying to hide what can’t be hidden.

<>  It is useless to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.

<>  It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage.

<>  It matters little if those who are inferior to us in merit should be like us in outside appearances.

<>  It needs more than fine feathers to make fine birds.

<>  It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress.

<>  It sometimes happens that one man has all the toil, and another all the profit.

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J

<>  Judge a man’s assertions by his practices.

<>  Justice can only be obtained by an appeal to righteous judges.

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K

<>  Keep to your place, and your place will keep you.

<>  A kindness is never wasted. The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its gratitude.

<>  Kindness is thrown away upon the ungrateful; expect no gratitude from the wicked..

<>  A king chosen for his adornments, will bring his people to shame.

<>  Know your enemies.
A villain may disguise himself, but he will not deceive the wise.

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L

<>  Labour is life.

<>  Labour and industry are to no purpose if the goal is unattainable.

<>  Laziness brings its own punishment.

<>  Laziness often prepares a burden for its own back.

<>  Lead by example, not by words.

<>  Learn from the misfortunes of others.

<>  The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared.

<>  The least outlay is not always the greatest gain. Economy may be carried too far.

<>  Leave well enough alone.
When you seek to change your condition, be sure that you can better it.

<>  Let everyone stick to his own element.

<>  Let everyone stick to his own element.

<>  Let those who propose be willing to perform.

<>  Let tomorrow take care of itself.

<>  A liar deceives no one but himself.

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

<>  Liberty is too high a price to pay for revenge.

<>  Little liberties are great offences.

<>  Little miseries are the greatest torments.

<>  Little thanks are due to him who only gives away what is of no use to himself.

<>  The loiterer often blames delay on his more active friend.

<>  Look before you leap.

<>  A lucky chance does not repeat itself.

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M

<>  A magnificent promise, but a paltry performance.

<>  A man in love bids farewell to prudence.

<>  A man is known by the company he keeps.

<>  Man or beast will ever be true to his nature.

<>  The man who knows how to protect himself is safe from his enemies.

<>  The man who plots the destruction of his neighbour, is often caught in his own snare.

<>  The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either.

<>  A man will be more discerning about his own affairs than those of others.

<>  Many difficulties are resolved with patience.

<>  Many pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.

<>  Many thoughtless people return only evil for good.

<>  Mean natures forget past services.

<>  The memory of a good deed lives.

<>  Men are awake enough to their own interests, but turn a deaf ear to their friend’s distress.

<>  Men are ruined by attempting a greatness to which they have no claim.

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

<>  Might makes right.

<>  Misery loves company.
Advice prompted by selfishness shouldn’t be heeded.

<>  Misfortune often assails us from an unexpected quarter.

<>  Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.

<>  The misfortunes arising from a man’s own misconduct are the hardest to bear.

<>  Misfortunes seldom come singly.

<>  The most presuming are often the most insignificant.

<>  A mother’s love blinds her to many imperfections.

<>  Much wants more and loses all. Greed often overreaches itself.

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N

<>  Nature will out.

<>  Nature will out.
What is bred in the bone, will never leave the flesh.

<>  Necessity is the mother of invention.

<>  Necessity knows no law.

<>  The net is spread in vain in view of the bird.

<>  Never involve an outsider in your internal matters.

<>  Never trust sweet words spoken by someone whose mouth is full of sharp fangs.

<>  Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.

<>  New dependents, new claims.
When we throw off rulers or dependants, who have already made the most of us, we lay ourselves open to others who will make us bleed yet more freely.

<>  Nip evil in the bud.

<>  No disguise will hide one’s true character.

<>  No evil that can be remedied should be endured.

<>  No offence should be taken where none is intended.

<>  No one offers his own good luck for sale.

<>  No one should be blamed for his infirmities.

<>  None is so great as to be free from weaknesses.

<>  Not everything that benefits others will benefit oneself.

<>  Nothing escapes the Master’s eye!
A man will be more discerning about his own affairs than those of others.

<>  Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.

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O

<>  Obscurity often brings safety.

<>  Of two evils, choose the least.

<>  Offer hospitality with discretion, lest you entertain foes instead of friends.

<>  Old birds are not to be caught with chaff. Experience brings wisdom.

<>  Once bitten, twice shy.
Wise men, when they escape danger, take care afterwards not to run the same risk.

<>  One good turn deserves another.

<>  One good turn deserves another.

<>  It sometimes happens that one man has all the toil, and another all the profit.

<>  One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Don’t ignore your own needs.

<>  One man’s pleasure may be another’s pain.

<>  One may escape a great danger only to fall victim to a small one.

<>  One swallow does not make summer.

<>  One thief is no better than another.

<>  Opposing desires cannot be reconciled.

<>  Oppressors are never short of excuses for their evil designs.

<>  Our fears find dangers where none exist.

<>  Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.

<>  Out of the frying-pan into the fire. In avoiding one evil, care must be taken not to fall into another.

<>  Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

<>  Over-rating ourselves, we under-rate others.

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P

<>  Perseverance is surer than swiftness.

<>  Persuasion is better than Force.

<>  Physician, heal thyself. They who assume to help others should first mend themselves.

<>  Pick your enemies.

<>  Take care to place your blame on the right person.

<>  A plant may thrive better by the roadside than in a hothouse where a Fool is the Gardener.

<>  A plea of Not Guilty goes for naught against malicious power.

<>  Pleasures are heightened by abstinence.

<>  The pleasures of one are the pain of another.

<>  Plot against others and fall into a trap of your own making.

<>  Prefer usefulness before ornament.

<>  Presumption begins in ignorance and ends in ruin.

<>  Pride comes before a fall.

<>  Promises of a suitor must be taken with caution.

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Q

<>  Quality, not quantity. The value is in the worth, not the number.

<>  The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.

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R

<>  The race is not always to the swift.

<>  A resemblance to the great in some things does not make us great.

<>  Resist the beginnings of evil.

<>  Retribution follows cruelty.
False faith may escape human punishment, but cannot escape the divine.

<>  Retribution, though late, comes at last.

<>  Revenge is apt to recoil upon itself.

<>  Revenge is sweet.

<>  Revenge is sweet, even in death.

<>  Revenge may be sweeter than life.

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S

<>  The safeguards of virtue are hateful to those with evil intentions.

<>  The same measures will not suit all circumstances.

<>  Self-help is the best help.

<>  Self-interest alone moves some men.

<>  Self-praise is dispraise.

<>  Servants don’t appreciate a good master till they have served a worse.

<>  Set your sails with the wind. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

<>  Since you cannot please everybody, please yourself.

<>  The sharpest tricksters are often overmatched. The engineer gets “hoist with his own petard.”

<>  Show gratitude where gratitude is due.

<>  Skill and Patience may succeed where Force fails.

<>  Slander has a score to pay.

<>  Slow but steady can win the race.

<>  A small certainty is better than a great possibility.

<>  The smaller the Mind the greater the Conceit.

<>  Some benefit should attend your actions; to perform them only for the sake of glory is folly.

<>  Some men despise their best blessings because they come without cost.

<>  Some people despise what is precious only because they cannot understand it.

<>  Sometimes Art pleases better than Nature.

<>  Spare the rod and spoil the child.

<>  Spare your friend, but not your foe.

<>  Star-gazers make poor path-finders. We should never look so high as to miss seeing things around us.

<>  Stoop to conquer. Better to yield when it is folly to resist, than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed.

<>  Straws show how the wind blows.

<>  Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach.

<>  The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage.

<>  Sudden generosity may please the foolish, but it sets its traps in vain for the wary.

<>  Sweet words may deliver us from peril, when harsh words would fail.

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T

<>  Take care to place your blame on the right person.

<>  Take the opportunity at hand.

<>  Temptation brings out the true character.

<>  There are no snares so dangerous as those laid under the pretense of doing a kindness.

<>  There are two sides to every question.

<>  There can be little liking where there is no likeness.

<>  There is a law of retribution governing life. Men often fall into the very pit they dig for others.

<>  There is always someone worse off than ourselves.

<>  There is as much malice in a wink as in a word.

<>  There is no arguing a coward into courage.

<>  There’s no greater beauty than that of the mind.

<>  They are not wise who give to themselves the credit due to others.

<>  They complain most who suffer least.

<>  They who are over-anxious to know how the world values them, will seldom be set down at their own price.

<>  They who lay traps for others are often caught by their own bait.

<>  They who neglect their old friends for the sake of new, are rightly served if they lose both.

<>  A thief cannot be trusted, even by another thief.

<>  The thin edge of the wedge.
Give him an inch and he’ll take a yard.

<>  Those who are most benefited are often the first to complain.

<>  Those who assume a character will betray themselves by their actions.

<>  Those who disdain others may expect contempt in their turn.

<>  Those who do not know their right place must be taught it.

<>  Those who do not share their good fortune with others will find none to share their ill fortune.

<>  Those who give bad advice to cautious men waste their time and make themselves ridiculous.

<>  Those who grasp at the shadow are likely to lose the substance. If you covet all, you lose all.

<>  Those who offer big promises in place of small help will prove to be unwilling givers.

<>  Those who practice cunning must expect to suffer by it.

<>  Those who pretend to be something they are not, only make themselves ridiculous.

<>  Those who voluntarily put power into the hand of a tyrant or an enemy, must not wonder if it is at last turned against themselves.

<>  Those who return evil for good, may expect their neighbour’s pity to be worn out at last.

<>  Those who seek to please everybody end by pleasing nobody.

<>  Those who stir up enmities are not to be trusted. Havoc can be wrought by a man with a false tongue.

<>  Thoughtless companions are no comfort, and bring more hurt than profit.

<>  Time and place often give the advantage to the weak over the strong.

<>  To aid the vicious is to become a partner in their guilt.

<>  To attempt too much is to court failure.

<>  To enjoy our blessings we must have freedom.

<>  To laugh at oneself disarms ridicule.

<>  To shine among inferiors is easier than to hold your own among superiors.

<>  To trust a knave is to invite disaster.

<>  Traitors must expect treachery.

<>  Traitors richly deserve their fate.

<>  Traitors richly deserve their fate.

<>  Trickery sometimes avails where reason fails.

<>  The true leader proves himself by his qualities.

<>  The truth is in the eye of the storyteller. We can easily represent things as we wish them to be.

<>  The truth often hurts.

<>  Truth should not always be revealed.

<>  Try before you trust.

<>  Try to conceal one defect and betray another.

<>  Two blacks do not make a white.

<>  Two sureties are better than one.

<>  The tyrant is never safe from the vengeance of the oppressed.

<>  The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.

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U, V

<>  Unconsidered and ill-matched alliances generally end in ruin.

<>  Understanding comes with suffering.

<>  Uninvited guests seldom meet a welcome. Those who enter by the back stairs must not complain if they are thrown out by the window.

<>  Union gives strength. One for all, and all for one.

<>  Union is strength.

<>  United we stand; divided we fall.

<>  The unjust are judged according to their judgment.

<>  Unlawful possession confers no rights.

<>  Use serves to overcome dread.

<>  Vanity can lead us into folly.

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W

<>  The want of a good excuse never kept a villain from his crime.

<>  We can only give what we have.

<>  We do not always like to be taken at our word.

<>  We do not feel a danger that is not our own.

<>  We had better bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them.

<>  We judge others by ourselves.

<>  We may play the same trick once too often.

<>  We must make friends in prosperity, if we would have their help when we are in adversity.

<>  We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction.

<>  We should not condemn others for what we ourselves do.

<>  We suffer for our own foolishness.

<>  We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

<>  The weak have their place in the world as truly as the strong. Little friends may prove to be great friends.

<>  Wealth unused might as well not exist.

<>  What at first appears harmless may be dangerous.

<>  What is worth most is often valued least.

<>  What you have sown, that you must reap.

<>  What’s bred in the bone will stick to the flesh. That which is inborn is not easily altered.

<>  What’s past is past.

<>  Whatever you do, do with all your might.

<>  When the mighty quarrel, the humble pay the cost.

<>  When you are in a man’s power you must do as he bids you.

<>  When you’re doing well, let well enough alone.

<>  Where strength fails, guile may succeed.

<>  Wilful people will not listen to reason.

<>  Wilfulness must go its own way and pay the penalty.

<>  Winter finds out what Summer lays by. It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

<>  Wisdom, when scorned, keeps silent.

<>  Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

<>  Wit has always an answer ready.

<>  A word in season is most precious.

<>  The word of two rogues is no better than the word of one.

<>  Words may be deeds.

<>  The worth of money is not in its possession, but in its use.

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Y, Z

<>  Yield to all and you will soon have nothing to yield.

<>  You cannot escape your fate.

<>  You may share the labours of the great, but you will not share the spoils.

<>  You reap only what you sow, and idleness brings want.

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

<>  Youth’s first duty is reverence to parents.

<>  Zeal should not outrun discretion.

Editing Notes

This is my own compilation. Text and images were obtained from multiple online sources.

Texts from the Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/details/
aesopsfablesnewv00aeso
Aesop’s Fables: A New Version, Chiefly from the Original Sources [first publ. 1848]
by Thomas James (1809–1863)

threehundredfift00aesouoft
350 Aesop’s Fables, Literally Translated from the Greek [1882]
by George Fyler Townsend (1814–1900)

aesopsfables00aesorich
Aesop’s Fables, with Text Based Chiefly upon Croxall, La Fontaine, and L’Estrange. [first publ. 1869]
ed. J. B. Rundell (? – ?)

achildsversions00sticgoog
A Child’s Version of Aesop’s Fables [1886]
ed. J. H. Stickney (1840– ?)

Texts from Wikisource:
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/

The_Fables_of_%C3%86sop_(Jacobs)
The Fables of Aesop [1894]
by Joseph Jacobs (1854-1916)

An_Argosy_of_Fables
An Argosy of Fables [1921]
ed. Frederic Taber Cooper (1864–1937)

Images from the Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/details/
aesopsfables00aeso
Aesop’s Fables [1912]
[TRANSLATION BY V. S. VERNON JONES (1875–1955); THIS TEXT WAS NOT USED DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS.]
Illustrations by Arthur Rackham (1867–1939)

OCR and printer’s errors were silently corrected; punctuation, diacritics, and italics formatted; some spelling and punctuation standardized to provide consistency. Some text editing to simplify/modernize text.

Illustrations were manually cleaned and enhanced. Cover by ECM, derived from interior illustration.

Links to content are provided by in-line Table of Contents and List of Illustrations, and by Index of Titles and Index of Morals.

Validation by Pagina Epub Checker.

>>TOC     >>ABOUT

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