Aesop's Fables

Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Aesop's Fables by Aesop Aesop, anboco
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Aesop Aesop ISBN: 9783736405608
Publisher: anboco Publication: August 1, 2016
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Aesop Aesop
ISBN: 9783736405608
Publisher: anboco
Publication: August 1, 2016
Imprint:
Language: English

Aesop embodies an epigram not uncommon in human history; his fame is all the more deserved because he never deserved it. The firm foundations of common sense, the shrewd shots at uncommon sense, that characterise all the Fables, belong not him but to humanity. In the earliest human history whatever is authentic is universal: and whatever is universal is anonymous. In such cases there is always some central man who had first the trouble of collecting them, and afterwards the fame of creating them. He had the fame; and, on the whole, he earned the fame. There must have been something great and human, something of the human future and the human past, in such a man: even if he only used it to rob the past or deceive the future. The story of Arthur may have been really connected with the most fighting Christianity of falling Rome or with the most heathen traditions hidden in the hills of Wales. But the word "Mappe" or "Malory" will always mean King Arthur; even though we find older and better origins than the Mabinogian; or write later and worse versions than the "Idylls of the King." The nursery fairy tales may have come out of Asia with the Indo-European race, now fortunately extinct; they may have been invented by some fine French lady or gentleman like Perrault: they may possibly even be what they profess to be. But we shall always call the best selection of such tales "Grimm's Tales": simply because it is the best collection.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Aesop embodies an epigram not uncommon in human history; his fame is all the more deserved because he never deserved it. The firm foundations of common sense, the shrewd shots at uncommon sense, that characterise all the Fables, belong not him but to humanity. In the earliest human history whatever is authentic is universal: and whatever is universal is anonymous. In such cases there is always some central man who had first the trouble of collecting them, and afterwards the fame of creating them. He had the fame; and, on the whole, he earned the fame. There must have been something great and human, something of the human future and the human past, in such a man: even if he only used it to rob the past or deceive the future. The story of Arthur may have been really connected with the most fighting Christianity of falling Rome or with the most heathen traditions hidden in the hills of Wales. But the word "Mappe" or "Malory" will always mean King Arthur; even though we find older and better origins than the Mabinogian; or write later and worse versions than the "Idylls of the King." The nursery fairy tales may have come out of Asia with the Indo-European race, now fortunately extinct; they may have been invented by some fine French lady or gentleman like Perrault: they may possibly even be what they profess to be. But we shall always call the best selection of such tales "Grimm's Tales": simply because it is the best collection.

More books from anboco

Cover of the book The Writings of Henry David Thoreau V: Excursions and Poems by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Royal Children of English History by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Clio by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Barty Crusoe and His Man Saturday by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book The Liberty Minstrel by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book The Swan of Vilamorta by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Modern Painters by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Q-Ships and Their Story by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book George Eliot's Life - Letters and Journals II by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book The Theatrical Primer by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Three Years in Tibet by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Woodwork Joints: How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Walter Crane's Painting Book by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Farmington by Aesop Aesop
Cover of the book Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag by Aesop Aesop
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy