No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
— AesopThe Lion and the Mouse
Use itGS4 on kindness; even small kind acts matter in public service.
Thinker · 11 quotes
Aesop quotes for UPSC
11 sourced quotes by Aesop on truth & wisdom, compassion & empathy, courage, economy, development & poverty, environment & sustainability, with a use case for each in GS4, Essay and interviews.
✓ Attributions checked against Wikiquote's sourced list
It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.
— AesopThe Wolf and the Kid
Use itGS4/Life: true courage is tested up close, not from safety.
It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow.
— AesopThe Ant and the Grasshopper
Use itGS3 on savings and preparedness; plan today for tomorrow's needs.
Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find nothing.
— AesopThe Goose with the Golden Eggs
Use itGS3/Essay on sustainable development; greed for quick gains destroys the resource base.
The shaft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle's own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction.
— AesopThe Eagle and the Arrow
Use itGS3 security; nations often arm their own adversaries, e.g. self-created threats.
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
— AesopThe Lion, The Ass, And The Fox Hunting
Use itLife: learn from others' mistakes rather than repeating them.
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
— AesopThe Dog and the Shadow
Use itLife/Essay: don't chase appearances at the cost of substance.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
— AesopHercules and the Wagoner
Use itLife: effort, not wishing, solves problems.
Slow and steady wins the race.
— AesopThe Hare and the Tortoise
Use itLife: consistent daily study beats sporadic bursts in a long exam cycle.
A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.
— Aesop
Use itLife: peace of mind outweighs luxury.
In critical moments even the very powerful have need of the weakest.
— AesopThe Lion and the Mouse
Use itEssay on interdependence; even the powerful need the weak in crises.