AESOP'S FABLES (executive edition)

The raw data from which the following is derived have been kindly placed in the public domain by a charitable organization that appears to wish to remain anonymous (due to some concerns for potential liability for misuse of public domain texts). The fables have here been indexed in a way that streamlines your reading. There is no more need to sift through the entire story, one can jump directly to the moral, and review the evidence leading up to the moral, from there, if so desired. You may now get on to the real business of making all your executive decisions (with the full ethical momentum of Aesop behind you) without becoming bogged down by minutia. Of course, the perfect ethical system may be that which cannot be misunderstood, and Aesop is unlikely to pass this test, so we do offer the obligatory disclaimers

For a searchable (wais) index of Aesop, see Aesop-Fables.src from U. Minnesota.

For a picture of Aesop (due to Velazquez), look  here.

For fables in the general genre of Aesop, or to make your own, see Aesop & ME From I-Site.on.Canada

The following morals are of the form:

conclusion/moral

link to evidentiary testimony (by fable-name)

Begin morals.

Precious things are for those that can prize them. The Cock and the Pearl

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

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

"You may share the labours of the great, but you will not share the spoil." The Lion's Share

Gratitude and greed go not together. The Wolf and the Crane

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten. The Man and the Serpent

"Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear." The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

"Do not trust flatterers." The Fox and the Crow

Only cowards insult dying majesty. The Sick Lion

Clumsy jesting is no joke. The Ass and the Lapdog

Little friends may prove great friends. The Lion and the Mouse

Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin. The Swallow and the Other Birds

Better no rule than cruel rule. The Frogs Desiring a King

"Much outcry, little outcome." The Mountains in Labour

"There is always someone worse off than yourself." The Hares and the Frogs

"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." The Wolf and the Kid

"No gratitude from the wicked." The Woodman and the Serpent

"You will only injure yourself if you take notice of despicable enemies." The Bald Man and the Fly

"One bad turn deserves another." The Fox and the Stork

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth. The Fox and the Mask

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

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

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. Androcles

"He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends." The Bat, the Birds, and the Beasts

"We often despise what is most useful to us." The Hart and the Hunter

It is useless attacking the insensible. The Serpent and the File

Better starve free than be a fat slave. The Dog and the Wolf

So thus they found that even the Belly in its dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the Body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces. The Belly and the Members

Nothing escapes the master's eye. The Hart in the Ox-Stall

It is easy to despise what you cannot get. The Fox and the Grapes

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs. The Horse, Hunter, and Stag

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

Familiarity breeds contempt. The Fox and the Lion

We can easily represent things as we wish them to be. The Lion and the Statue

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity. The Ant and the Grasshopper

Obscurity often brings safety. The Tree and the Reed

"Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon." The Fox and the Cat

Appearances are deceptive. The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

"Ah, people often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves." The Dog in the Manger

The idol broke in two, and what did he see? An immense number of coins flying all over the place. The Man and the Wooden God

"When you are in a man's power you must do as he bids you." The Fisher

"A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth." The Shepherd's Boy

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart therefrom." The Young Thief and His Mother

Yield to all and you will soon have nothing to yield. The Man and His Two Wives

"Enemies promises were made to be broken." The Nurse and the Wolf

Never soar aloft on an enemy's pinions. The Tortoise and the Birds

Example is the best precept. The Two Crabs

Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool. The Ass in the Lion's Skin

"Never trust a friend who deserts you at a pinch." The Two Fellows and the Bear

The strong and the weak cannot keep company. The Two Pots

United we stand, divided we fall. The Four Oxen and the Lion

A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect. The Fisher and the Little Fish

Vices are their own punishment. Avaricious and Envious

Little by little does the trick. The Crow and the Pitcher

"Out you go," said the Satyr. "I will have nought to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath." The Man and the Satyr

Greed oft o'er reaches itself. The Goose With the Golden Eggs

"Never believe a captive's promise; that's one thing. Then again: Keep what you have. And third piece of advice is: Sorrow not over what is lost forever." The Labourer and the Nightingale

Cunning often outwits itself. The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog

Kindness effects more than severity. The Wind and the Sun

The gods help them that help themselves. Hercules and the Waggoner

"Please all, and you will please none." The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey

Wealth unused might as well not exist. The Miser and His Gold

"Well, you see," was the answer, "these Mosquitoes have had their fill; if you drive these away, others will come with fresh appetite and bleed me to death." The Fox and the Mosquitoes

Distrust interested advice. The Fox Without a Tail

"You cannot escape your fate." The One-Eyed Doe

"It is easy to propose impossible remedies." Belling the Cat

"Plodding wins the race." The Hare and the Tortoise

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

He that has many friends, has no friends. The Hare With Many Friends

Love can tame the wildest. The Lion in Love

Union gives strength. The Bundle of Sticks

It is easier to get into the enemy's toils than out again. The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts

Wit has always an answer ready. The Ass's Brains

"We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction." The Eagle and the Arrow

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

"Nature will out." The Cat-Maiden

"Better humble security than gilded danger." The Horse and the Ass

Words may be deeds. The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner

Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing. The Buffoon and the Countryman

"What memories cling 'round the instruments of our pleasure." The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar

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

End morals.

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(4/1994 -- dpd)