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Two blacks do not make a white.
The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.
No sooner did the Horse feel his weight in the saddle than he bolted, and nothing would stop him.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” To which he, pointing to the Horse, replied, “I’ve no idea: ask him.”
Two Pots, one of earthenware and the other of brass,
Equals make the best friends.
“My will is as strong as ever, master, but my body is old and feeble. You ought to honour me for what I have been instead of abusing me for what I am.”
Clown’s imitation was much more true to life. Thereupon he produced the pig from under his smock and said sarcastically, “There, that shows what sort of judges you are!”
The clown imitated a pig; a man hides a pig under his smock in a pig imitating contest
“a man who looks to his friends for help will take his time about a thing.”
he talks no more of his friends now, but is going to take things in hand himself.” Self-help is the best help.
A Prophet sat in the market-place and told the fortunes of all who cared to engage his services.
“Our friend professes to know what is going to happen to others, but it seems he’s not clever enough to perceive what’s in store for himself.”
“I wish you would show yourself in your true colours! If you are my friend, why do you bite me? If you are my enemy, why do you play with me?” He is no friend who plays double.
“Do not put me to death; I have killed no one: indeed, I have no weapons, but carry with me only my trumpet here.” But his captors replied, “That is only the more reason why we should take your life; for, though you do not fight yourself, you stir up others to do so.”
“you can go about boasting that you once put your head into a Wolf’s mouth and didn’t get it bitten off. What more do you want?”
“I don’t mind having to die now: for I see that he who is the cause of my death is about to share the same fate.”
Every man for himself.
The battle is not always to the strong.
“don’t forget it’s one thing to be running for your dinner, but quite another to be running for your life.”
The net is spread in vain in sight of the bird.
The dishonest get no credit, even if they act honestly.
“It’s what I thoroughly deserve: my trade is the butcher’s, and I had no business to turn piper to please you.”
Advantages that are dearly bought are doubtful blessings.
Servants don’t know a good master till they have served a worse.
It is no use being your own master unless you can stand up for yourself.
You may punish a thief, but his bent remains.
Think twice before you act.
“This is just what I deserve; for I had no business to leave my natural home by the sea and settle here as though I belonged to the land.” Be content with your lot.
They have a way of saying one thing and meaning another which has just been the death of several of our poor friends.”
Rude shocks await those who take to themselves the credit that is due to others.
It’s no use trying to hide what can’t be hidden.
What’s bred in the bone is sure to come out in the flesh.
“Keep away from me and you’ll remain sweet.”
said the sea to the river's water
When you hit back make sure you have got the right man.
There is no virtue in giving to others what is useless to oneself.
men are more concerned to recover what they lose than to acquire what they lack.
Once bitten, twice shy.
The weak will sometimes find ways to avenge an insult, even upon the strong.
if that’s the kind of city you are founding, it’ll be a long time before you find fools enough to fill it.”
You do much more harm than good, and die you shall.”
“Demeter,” he replied, “is very angry with you for listening to fables when you ought to be minding public business.”
“You must think me very simple,” said he, “if you suppose I am going to give up a certain prize on the chance of a better of which I see at present no signs.”
“How can we expect to live at peace with you? Why, even with the dogs at hand to protect us, we are never secure from your murderous attacks!”
said the sheep to the wolf when the wolf proposed peace provide the sheep kill all the sheep dogs.
“I dare say,” said he, “that if you had bitten the first that trod on you, the others would have taken more trouble to look where they put their feet.”
“Alas,” he cried, “had I not lost sight of the facts, I shouldn’t have been ruined by my fancies.”
the good and the bad go to their deaths together.”
Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
Do not promise more than you can perform.
Happy is he who learns from the misfortunes of others.
False faith may escape human punishment, but cannot escape the divine.
