Compiled & Edited by Phillip True, Jr.
The influence of Aesop on the Western thoughts and morals is profound. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Shakespeare, and other great thinkers found inspiration in his words of wisdom. His writings have been translated into almost every language of the civilized world.
Aesop's was a Phygrian, in Asia Minor, a Black slave, flat-nosed, thick lips, black skin from which his name was contracted (Esop being the same as Ethiop).
Aesop's first master was Xanthus, who saw him in a market where he was for
sale with two other slaves, a musician and an orator. Xanthus asked the musician
what could he do? He replied "Anything." The orator to the same
question replied, "Everything." Turning next to Aesop, "And what
can you do?" "Nothing," Aesop replied. "Nothing,"
repeated Xanthus, and Aesop replied, "One of my companions says he can do
anything, and the other says that he can do everything. That leaves me
nothing."