Aesop

We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction

We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction

The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. read more

The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: Hullo there! why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out.
Those who suffer most cry out the least.

The Lioness
A controversy prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which of the animals deserved the most read more

The Lioness
A controversy prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which of the animals deserved the most credit for producing the greatest number of whelps at a birth. They rushed clamorously into the presence of the Lioness and demanded of her the settlement of the dispute. And you, they said, how many sons have you at a birth?' The Lioness laughed at them, and said: Why! I have only one; but that one is altogether a thoroughbred Lion.
The value is in the worth, not in the number.

The Ass and the Charger
AN ASS congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and
carefully provided for, while read more

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 and not even that without hard work. But when war broke out,
a heavily armed soldier mounted the Horse, and riding him to the
charge, rushed into the very midst of the enemy. The Horse was
wounded and fell dead on the battlefield. Then the Ass, seeing
all these things, changed his mind, and commiserated the Horse.

The Wolf and the Sheep
A wolf, sorely wounded and bitten by dogs, lay sick and maimed in his lair. read more

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 flowing close beside him. 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 draught, you would doubtless make me provide the meat also.
Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.