Aesop or Æsop (c. 620BC – c. 560BC), was an ancient Greek fabulist of possibly African descent (his Greek name means Ethiopian or black man in today's parlance), by tradition a slave who credited the African goddess Isis for his gift.
Aesop's Fables are still taught as moral lessons and used as subjects for various entertainments, especially children's plays and cartoons.

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• A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
  • The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

• Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
  • The Wolf and the Lamb

• Appearances often are deceiving.
  • The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

• Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.
  • Juno and the Peacock

• Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
  • The Dog and the Shadow

• Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing.
  • The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

• Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
  • The Milkmaid and Her Pail

• Don't cry over spilt milk.
  • The Milkmaid and Her Pail

• Familiarity breeds contempt or Acquaintance softens prejudices.
  • The Fox and the Lion

• I am sure the grapes are sour.
  • The Fox and the Grapes

• I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath.
  • The Man and the Satyr

• In critical moments even the very powerful have need of the weakest.
  • The Lion and the Mouse

• It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.
  • The Ant and the Grasshopper

• It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.
  • The Jay and the Peacock

• Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties.
  • The Fox and the Goat

• No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
  • The Lion and the Mouse

• People often grudge others when they cannot enjoy themselves.
  • The Dog in the Manger

• Persuasion is often more effectual than force.
  • The Wind and the Sun

• Put your shoulder to the wheel.
  • Hercules and the Wagoner

• Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction.
  • The Frog and the Ox

• Slow and steady wins the race.
  • The Hare and the Tortoise

• The boy cried "Wolf, wolf!" and the villagers came out to help him.
  • The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf

• The fly sat upon the axel-tree of the chariot-wheel and said, What a dust do I raise!
  • The Fly on the Wheel

• The gods help them that help themselves.
  • Hercules and the Wagoner

• The haft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle's own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction.
  • The Eagle and the Arrow

• Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find - nothing.
  • The Goose with the Golden Eggs

• Union gives strength.
  • The Bundle of Sticks

• While I see many hoof marks going in, I see none coming out. It is easier to get into the enemy's toils than out again.
  • The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts

• We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
  • The Old Man and Death

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• Put your shoulder to the wheel.
• Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
• It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
• It is with our passions, as it is with fire and water, they are good servants but bad masters.
• The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.
• We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
• What a splendid head, yet no brain.
• Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.
• United we stand, divided we fall.