The Importance of Aesop to Socrates

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As a prefatory quotation to each fable in The Essential Aesop – Back to Basics Abridgment Series, we see:

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci. Adopted by Steve Jobs.

The reason for this quotation is to set the stage for us as sophisticated business professionals; to wit: that the simplicity of Aesop, with his fables, is the pinnacle of sophistication, no less than Albert Einstein describing his complex theory of special relativity by “riding upon a beam of light,” no less than Jesus cutting through tomes of religious works with, “just love,” and no less than Steve Jobs eliminating a myriad of computer commands with pretty little icons.

Aesop’s Fables is accessible to children, and should be read by every child—but Aesop’s Fables is not just a children’s book, but a timeless book of practical wisdom for every age.

Following are a few quotations from Socrates as set forth in the Collected Works of Plato, referencing Aesop’s fables, identifying Aesop as one of the noblest specimens of the human race, and emulating him at the point of Socrates’ death with the greatest honor and respect.

But I have said enough of this: and as to gold and silver, there is more of them flowing into Lacedaemon, but, as in the fable of Aesop, the Fox said to the Lion, ‘The prints of the feet of those going in are distinct enough;’ but who ever saw the trace of money coming out?” ~Alcibiades [1]

Many of the noblest specimens of the human race have been among the weakest physically. Aesop would have been exposed to his death at Sparta [because of Aesop’s physical deformities]. And some of the fairest and strongest men and women have been among the wickedest and worst.” ~The Republic

After being convicted by the Athenian common masses [2], the magnificent Socrates converses with his closest friends, awaiting death on this deathbed, and yet he references the equally magnificent Aesop:

How singular is the thing called pleasure, and how curiously related to pain, which might be thought to be the opposite of it; for they are never present to a man at the same instant, and yet he who pursues either is generally compelled to take the other; their bodies are two, but they are joined by a single head.

“And I cannot help thinking that if Aesop had remembered them, he would have made a fable about God trying to reconcile their strife, and how, when he could not, he fastened their heads together; and this is the reason why when one comes the other follows.”

Upon this Cebes said: “I am glad, Socrates, that you have mentioned the name of Aesop.

“It reminds me of a question which has been asked by many, and the day before yesterday by Evenus the poethe will be sure to ask it again, and therefore if you would like me to have an answer ready for him, you may as well tell me what I should say to him:

“He wanted to know why you, who never before wrote a line of poetry, now that you are in prison are turning Aesop’s fables into verse, and also composing that hymn in honor of Apollo?”

Replied Socrates, “And first I made a hymn in honor of the god of the festival. Then considering that a poet, if he is really to be a poet, should not only put together words, but should invent stories, and that I have no invention, I took some fables of Aesop, which I had ready at hand and which I knewthey were the first I came uponand turned them into verse.

“Tell this to Evenus, Cebes, and bid him be of good cheer; say that I would have him come after me if he be a wise man, and not tarry; and that today I am likely to be departing, for the Athenians say that I must.” ~Phaedo [3]

Source: Plato. The Collected Works of Plato (Unexpurgated Edition) (Halcyon Classics). Halcyon Press Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Wisdom is the greatest form of human distinction. And many learned scholars hold that Socrates continues to be the wisest of all men. And, we see the importance of the study of Aesop to Socrates, as—even at his death—Socrates referenced Aesop as a source of truth and inspiration.

An Aesop’s fable may appear to be a simple thing. Einstein’s wave of light analogy may appear to be a simple thing. A parable of Jesus may appear to be a simple thing. And, indeed, one of Steve Jobs’ pretty little icons may appear to be a simple thing.

But, the simplicity appears only in the art of it, but not in the science of it. [*1]


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Physician, Heal Thyself – No. 110. The Quack Frog – The Essential Aesop™ – Back to Basics Abridgment Series [#GRZ_98_110]

296 He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal thyself...’” ~Jesus [183] {[174], [175], [179], [184]}

Sen Rikyu said to his disciples, “Make a delicious bowl of tea; lay the charcoal so that it heats the water; arrange the flowers as they are in the field; in summer suggest coolness; in winter, warmth; do everything ahead of time; prepare for rain; and give those with whom you find yourself every consideration.

A disciple remarked that this seemed elementary.

Rikyu replied, “Then if you can host a tea gathering without deviating from any of the rules I have just stated, I will become your disciple.” ~Sen no Rikyū, The Way of Tea


[1] Trust, but Verify; or, Vigilance for the Trap – No. 86. The Lion, Fox and Beasts – The Essential Aesop™ – Back to Basics Abridgment Series [#GRZ_98_86]

[2] Sorry, Socrates. Or, The “Apology” of Socrates [#GRZ_60]

[3] The Two Doors of Life: Pleasure and Pain; The One-Two Choice, Say Sages Aesop, Gracian, Jesus and Socrates [#GRZ_136]

“Simplicitas in arte eius est, non in scientia eius.” (“Simplicity is in his art, not in his knowledge.”) ~ grz

© 2019 Gregg Zegarelli, Esq.. Gregg can be contacted through LinkedIn. Arnold Zegarelli can be contacted through Facebook.

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