I'm an expert in linguistics and history, with a particular interest in proverbs and their origins. When it comes to the phrase "United we stand, divided we fall," it's important to note that this is a sentiment that has been expressed in various forms across different cultures and historical periods.

The phrase is often attributed to Aesop, the ancient Greek fabulist or storyteller, who lived around 620–564 BCE. However, it's important to clarify that while Aesop is known for his fables that convey moral lessons, the exact phrase "United we stand, divided we fall" is not found in any of his surviving works. Instead, the idea is captured in the spirit of his stories that emphasize the power of unity and the pitfalls of discord.

The phrase has also been linked to the Roman poet Phaedrus, a slave who was freed by Augustus and who lived from about 15 BCE to 50 CE. Phaedrus wrote fables in Latin, and the sentiment is similar to one found in his work, though again, the exact phrase is not directly attributed to him.

In modern times, the phrase has been used by various speakers and authors, often in the context of political or social unity. It has become a popular adage to encourage solidarity and cooperation.

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The first attributed use in modern times is to Founding Father John Dickinson in his pre-Revolutionary War song "The Liberty Song", first published in the Boston Gazette in July 1768. In the song Dickinson wrote: "Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!"read more >>