Aesop
A wild boar was sharpening his tusks upon the trunk of a tree in the forest when a fox came by and asked, Why are you doing that, pray? The huntsmen are not out today and there are no other dangers at hand that I can see. True, my friend, replied the Boar, but the instant my life is in danger, I shall need to use my tusks. There will be no time to sharpen them then.Collection: Hands
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.Collection: Men
The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.Collection: Life
A person's true nature will reveal itself despite disguise.Collection: Life
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.Collection: Wisdom
He who shares the danger ought to share the prize.Collection: Life
Every man should be content to mind his own business.Collection: Men
Try as one may, it is impossible to deny one's natureCollection: Trying
Do not attempt too much at once.Collection: Too Much
We can easily represent things as we wish them to be.Collection: Wish
Little friends may prove great friends.Collection: Life
If these town gods can't detect the thieves who steal from their own temples, it's hardly likely they'll tell me who stole my spade.Collection: Thieves
A false tale often betrays itself.Collection: Lying
If you wish me well, do not stand pitying me, but lend me some succour as fast as you can; for pity is but cold comfort when one is up to the chin in water, and within a hair's breadth of starving or drowning.Collection: Hair
You will only injure yourself if you take notice of despicable enemies.Collection: Hate
Self-help is the best helpCollection: Life
Necessity knows no law.Collection: Law
Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.Collection: Blow
Even a hare, the weakest of animals, may insult a dead lion.Collection: Animal
If you are wise you won't be deceived by the innocent airs of those whom you have once found to be dangerous.Collection: Wise
The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.Collection: Anger
The hero is brave in deeds as well as words.Collection: Life
The haft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle's own Lures. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction.Collection: Mean
If you don't want to lose, you should wait for the right opportunityCollection: Opportunity
Don't cry over spilt milk.Collection: Regret
All of us, the great and the little have need of each other.Collection: Needs
Men often bear little grievances with less courage than they do large misfortunes.Collection: Adversity
Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find-nothing.Collection: Thinking
Never soar aloft on an enemy's pinions.Collection: Enemy
Forbear harping on what was of yore, for it is the common lot of mortals to sustain the ups and downs of fortune.Collection: Common
Uninvited guests are often most welcome when they leaveCollection: Guests
The fly sat upon the axel-tree of the chariot-wheel and said, 'What a dust do I raise!'Collection: Dust
once upon a time all the rivers combined to protest against the action of the sea in making their waters salt. "When we come to you," sad they to the sea, "we are sweet and drinkable; but when once we have mingled with you, our waters become as briny and unpalatable as your own." The sea replied shortly, "Keep away from me, and you'll remain sweet.Collection: Sweet
If you had half as much brains as you have beard, you would have looked before you leaped.Collection: Brain
Uninvited guests seldom meet a welcome.Collection: Guests
A fair-minded person tries to see both sides of an argument.Collection: Men
Pray do not grieve so; but go and take a stone, and place it in the hole, and fancy that the gold is still lying there. It will do you quite the same service; for when the gold was there, you had it not, as you did not make the slightest use of it.Collection: Lying
It is foolish to try to imitate the skills of others.Collection: Wise
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.Collection: Inspirational
It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.Collection: Wisdom
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.Collection: Wisdom
Better to learn wisdom from other people's misfortunes than from your own.Collection: People
Persuasion is often more effectual than force.Collection: Hypnosis
Familiarity breeds contempt.Collection: Relationship
Don't put off for tomorrow what you should do today.Collection: Procrastination
Give assistance, not advice, in a crisis.Collection: Giving
Only cowards insult dying majesty.Collection: Dying
Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.Collection: Life
Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon.Collection: Safe