Maxioms by Aesop
We often despise what is most useful to us.
We often despise what is most useful to us.
The Ass and the Mule
A muleteer set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule, read more
The Ass and the Mule
A muleteer set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, 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.
The Astronomer
An astronomer used to go out at night to observe the stars. One evening, as he wandered through read more
The Astronomer
An astronomer used to go out at night to observe the stars. One evening, as he wandered through the suburbs with his whole attention fixed on the sky, he fell accidentally into a deep well. While he lamented and bewailed his sores and bruises, and cried loudly for help, a neighbor ran to the well, and learning what had happened said: Hark ye, old fellow, why, in striving to pry into what is in heaven, do you not manage to see what is on earth?'.
The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.
The injuries we do and those we suffer are seldom weighed in the same scales.
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
