Aesop

resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find some plea to justify to the Lamb the Wolf's right to eat him.

The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.

It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

The Lion and the Mouse

when I piped you would not dance

never more pray to me for help, until you have done your best to help yourself, or depend upon it you will henceforth pray in vain

"If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supperless to bed in the winter."

The Hare and the Tortoise

The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful.

If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined.