---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Slow and steady wins the race.\" \"That is…"
description: "\"“Slow and steady wins the race.\" \"That is almost always untrue.\" \"Take it up with Aesop.\" \"Aesop never existed. The stories credited to him were the wo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/leigh-bardugo-252_aesop_slow-and-steady-wins-the-race-that-is-al_2792241.jpg"
---

#  Slow and steady wins the race." "That is almost always…

![“Slow and steady wins the race.&quot; &quot;That is almost always untrue.&quot; &quot;Take it up with Aesop.&quot; &quot;Aesop never existed. The stories credited to him were the work of two female slaves.&quot; &quot;That sounds about typical. I'll ponder it on the way down.” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/leigh-bardugo-252_aesop_slow-and-steady-wins-the-race-that-is-al_2792241.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/leigh-bardugo-252_aesop_slow-and-steady-wins-the-race-that-is-al_2792241.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/leigh-bardugo-252_aesop_slow-and-steady-wins-the-race-that-is-al_2792241.jpg)

> ““Slow and steady wins the race." "That is almost always untrue." "Take it up with Aesop." "Aesop never existed. The stories credited to him were the work of two female slaves." "That sounds about typical. I'll ponder it on the way down.””

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker questions the reliability of traditional moral tales, noting that their origins may be fabricated and urging personal reflection.

**In simple terms:** Traditional morals may be based on false histories.

Key Takeaway

Question accepted narratives.

Themes

skepticism myth critical thinking

Mood

critical curious

Type

philosophical conversational

When to use this quote

- education
- media literacy
- storytelling

Key Concepts

literary criticism historical revisionism

Questions to Reflect On

- What moral lessons do you keep despite doubtful origins?
- How do you verify the truth of a story?

A Different Perspective

Rejecting all myths can lead to cynicism; some stories still hold value.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aesop/) [Aesop Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aesop-aesop-3387247/) [Aesop Existed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aesop-existed-3387245/) [Existed Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existed-stories-3387246/) [Slow and steady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slow-and-steady/) [Untrue Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/untrue-aesop-3387244/)

## Related quotes

> [“Good and evil have always existed. They always will. It’s only our stories about them that ever change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/good-and-evil-have-always-existed-they-always-will-it-s-only-our/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [I have come to the conclusion that a goodly number of the fables that pass under the name of the Samian slave, Aesop, were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jacobs/i-have-come-to-the-conclusion-that-a-goodly-number-of-the-fables-that/)

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> [It is my contention that Aesop was writing for the tortoise market. hares have no time to read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-brookner/it-is-my-contention-that-aesop-was-writing-for-the-tortoise-market/)

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> [In real life, it is the hare who wins. Every time. Look around you. And in any case it is my contention that Aesop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-brookner/in-real-life-it-is-the-hare-who-wins-every-time-look-around-you-and/)

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> [“Hester shook her head. 'Don't confuse what you do with who you are, dearie. Besides, there's no shame in humble work. Why, Aesop himself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-auxier/hester-shook-her-head-don-t-confuse-what-you-do-with-who-you-are/)

[Jonathan Auxier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-auxier/)

> [“And yet surely to alchemy this right is due, that it may be compared to the husbandman whereof Aesop makes the fable, that when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/and-yet-surely-to-alchemy-this-right-is-due-that-it-may-be-compared/)

[Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/)

> [“Because When you write about people, you inevitably offend--but if you write about animals, the evil do not recognize themselves but the good understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/because-when-you-write-about-people-you-inevitably-offend-but-if-you/)

[Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/)

> [“I would by all means have men beware, lest Aesop 's pretty fable of the fly that sate on the pole of a chariot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/i-would-by-all-means-have-men-beware-lest-aesop-s-pretty-fable-of-the/)

[Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/)

> [“Aesop fable. “You can play the clever fox all you want—but you’ll never get the grapes that way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-dobelli/aesop-fable-you-can-play-the-clever-fox-all-you-want-but-you-ll-never/)

[Rolf Dobelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-dobelli/)

> [“One such monster lived around 600 B.C. and was the slave of a Greek nobleman named Iadmon who lived on Samos. This unfortunate was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-p-mannix/one-such-monster-lived-around-600-b-c-and-was-the-slave-of-a-greek/)

[Daniel P. Mannix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-p-mannix/)

> [“Eva, can I pose as Aesop in a cave?" No, Don.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-agee/eva-can-i-pose-as-aesop-in-a-cave-no-don/)

[Jon Agee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-agee/)

> [Aesop, that great man, saw his master making water as he walked. "What!" he said, "Must we void ourselves as we run?" Use our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/aesop-that-great-man-saw-his-master-making-water-as-he-walked-what-he/)

[Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/)

> [“Be content with your lot; once cannot be first in everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/be-content-with-your-lot-once-cannot-be-first-in-everything/)

[Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/)

> [I'm okay with the idea that slow and steady wins the race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/i-m-okay-with-the-idea-that-slow-and-steady-wins-the-race/)

[Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/)

> [“If you’re an introvert, find your flow by using your gifts. You have the power of persistence, the tenacity to solve complex problems, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/if-you-re-an-introvert-find-your-flow-by-using-your-gifts-you-have/)

[Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/)

## More by Leigh Bardugo

> [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

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[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

[Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## More Aesop quotes

> [“Be content with your lot; once cannot be first in everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/be-content-with-your-lot-once-cannot-be-first-in-everything/)

[Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/)

> [Aesop, that great man, saw his master making water as he walked. "What!" he said, "Must we void ourselves as we run?" Use our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/aesop-that-great-man-saw-his-master-making-water-as-he-walked-what-he/)

[Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/)

> [“Eva, can I pose as Aesop in a cave?" No, Don.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-agee/eva-can-i-pose-as-aesop-in-a-cave-no-don/)

[Jon Agee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-agee/)

> [“One such monster lived around 600 B.C. and was the slave of a Greek nobleman named Iadmon who lived on Samos. This unfortunate was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-p-mannix/one-such-monster-lived-around-600-b-c-and-was-the-slave-of-a-greek/)

[Daniel P. Mannix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-p-mannix/)

> [“Aesop fable. “You can play the clever fox all you want—but you’ll never get the grapes that way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-dobelli/aesop-fable-you-can-play-the-clever-fox-all-you-want-but-you-ll-never/)

[Rolf Dobelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-dobelli/)

> [“I would by all means have men beware, lest Aesop 's pretty fable of the fly that sate on the pole of a chariot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/i-would-by-all-means-have-men-beware-lest-aesop-s-pretty-fable-of-the/)

[Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/)

> [“Because When you write about people, you inevitably offend--but if you write about animals, the evil do not recognize themselves but the good understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/because-when-you-write-about-people-you-inevitably-offend-but-if-you/)

[Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/)

> [“And yet surely to alchemy this right is due, that it may be compared to the husbandman whereof Aesop makes the fable, that when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/and-yet-surely-to-alchemy-this-right-is-due-that-it-may-be-compared/)

[Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/)

> [“Hester shook her head. 'Don't confuse what you do with who you are, dearie. Besides, there's no shame in humble work. Why, Aesop himself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-auxier/hester-shook-her-head-don-t-confuse-what-you-do-with-who-you-are/)

[Jonathan Auxier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-auxier/)

> [In real life, it is the hare who wins. Every time. Look around you. And in any case it is my contention that Aesop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-brookner/in-real-life-it-is-the-hare-who-wins-every-time-look-around-you-and/)

[Anita Brookner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-brookner/)

> [It is my contention that Aesop was writing for the tortoise market. hares have no time to read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-brookner/it-is-my-contention-that-aesop-was-writing-for-the-tortoise-market/)

[Anita Brookner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-brookner/)

> [I have come to the conclusion that a goodly number of the fables that pass under the name of the Samian slave, Aesop, were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jacobs/i-have-come-to-the-conclusion-that-a-goodly-number-of-the-fables-that/)

[Joseph Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-jacobs/)

[Browse all 13 Aesop quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aesop/)

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