He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own

He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own

Aesop, the famous ancient Greek storyteller, is known for his fables that often contain moral lessons and wisdom. One of his fables that perfectly illustrates the quote "He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own" is the story of "The Oak and the Reeds."

In this fable, a mighty oak tree stands tall and proud in a forest, boasting about its strength and resilience. The oak tree looks down upon the reeds that grow by the riverbank, mocking them for being weak and easily swayed by the wind. The reeds, however, respond by pointing out that while the oak tree may be strong, it is also rigid and inflexible, whereas they are able to bend and adapt to the changing winds.

One day, a great storm sweeps through the forest, with powerful winds blowing fiercely. The oak tree, unable to bend or yield, is uprooted and falls to the ground, while the reeds, with their flexibility and ability to give way, survive the storm unscathed. The moral of the story is clear: those who are too rigid and unwilling to compromise will ultimately be destroyed, while those who are adaptable and willing to yield will endure.

This fable perfectly encapsulates the quote "He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own." The oak tree, in its arrogance and refusal to yield, ultimately loses everything, including its principles of strength and resilience. On the other hand, the reeds, by being willing to give way and adapt, maintain their principles of survival and endurance.