A farmer who had a quarrelsome family called his sons and told them to lay a bunch of sticks before him. Then, after laying the sticks parallel to one another and binding them, he challenged his sons, one after one, to pick up the bundle and break it. They all tried, but in vain. Then, untying the bundle, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father, “Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for anything, but differ and separate, and you are undone.”

Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.

An oak and a reed were arguing about their strength. When a strong wind came up, the reed avoided being uprooted by bending and leaning with the gusts of wind. But the oak stood firm and was torn up by the roots.

Appearances are deceptive.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.

Enemies’ promises were made to be broken.

Every truth has two sides. It is well to look at both before we commit ourselves to either side.

Example is the best precept.

Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.