Aesop

The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.

It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

"You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion."

"My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks."

In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

"O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily."

foolish creatures that we are, for the sake of a little pleasure we have destroyed ourselves."

Pleasure bought with pains, hurts.

promise, he turned around and cried out, "You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape."

Look before you leap.

travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."

Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.

Zeal should not outrun discretion.