Proverbial Thursday – Global Wisdom

Proverbs and sayings often provide us with wise words from all corners of the world.  Best savoured a little at a time, these sayings are passed down from generation to generation. Each Thursday, I post a saying, or proverb and a quote that I find thought-provoking. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

The theme of this week’s wisdom is kindness.

“The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm”

– Swedish Proverb

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late

 -Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century- Wiki.]

My Yoga teacher used to say that,

“Smiling was an art that comes from the heart and should be practised all the time.”

The kindest people I have met have had the loveliest, most genuine smiles. The heart may be the centre of love, but the smile is the centre of kindness!

Life may buffet and bruise us, and although we put on a brave front, life experience and  hard knocks are indelibly etched on our faces, and especially on our smiles.

If someone can’t find a smile, give them one of yours. Light up their day!

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Kindness costs nothing, yet can make a world of difference.

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible!”  -Dalai Lama

The Swedish proverb seems to both reinforce and contradict this advice.

What do you think?

Join in the discussion by leaving a comment below.

Proverbial Thursdays at Something to Ponder About

Proverbial Thursday – Global Wisdoms

I find there’s profound wisdom in the proverbs, sayings and quotes of days past, and I marvel at the way just a few choice words are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, these sayings are passed down, to us, from generations past and from different cultures. They speak of experiences of lives lived, and valuable lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you find them thought-provoking too.

The quote this week comes from “The Risk-taker’s Book of Quotes” and the Venerable Dalai Lama:

Good quotes can also help abate the feeling of being alone. The knowledge that someone else, in some past time felt the same way I am feeling in this moment brings a sense of connectedness, and normalcy.

 -Jonathan Wunrow

  Freedom is a need. I have a cat. People feed this cat; they pet this cat; they give the cat everything he needs. But every time the window is open just a little, he runs away.

– Dalai Lama

The following Proverb is the first, in a series of Native American Proverbs, I will share each Proverbial Thursday. I think it’s very much a leveling proverb, reminding us of the inherent equality in all of mankind.  The Native American culture, might have been considered, by some, to be less developed, and yet they were well advanced in their understanding of the essential right and importance of equality to society.

“All who have died are equal.”

Native American Proverb

Does it refer to equality or even perhaps, inequality?
What do you think of the quotes?  Can you see a connection between the two?

Leave a comment and join the discussion.

It’s something to ponder about.

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs and Sayings

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.

Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a Quote that I find thought-provoking. 

I hope you will too.

Dig a well then close the well, but do not fire a worker – Arabic Proverb

 The Arabic proverb is somewhat of an enigma to me. Is it metaphorical, literal, or satirical?

The Saying this week comes from a strong, peace- loving person, and again an enigmatic quote that really makes me ponder the things our enemies can teach us. The value of human life, all human life, whether they are your friend or enemy.

Tragic circumstances help you develop inner strength, the courage to face them without emotional breakdown. Who teaches this? Not your friend, but your enemy. Dalai Lama

What do you make of this week’s words of wisdom?

Something for you to ponder about this Thursday

Proverbial Thursday – Global Proverbs and Quotes

I find there to be profound wisdom in proverbs, sayings and quotes and I marvel at the way they are so succinct in communicating messages to the reader. Mostly anonymous, they come to us from past generations and from across cultures. They speak of the experiences of lives lived and lessons learned. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something. Each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying and a quote that I find thought-provoking.  I hope you will too.

The first proverb is a little obscure, so I am hoping readers may share their thoughts about what the real meaning of this proverb could be? The second, the quotation, was chosen after hearing of reports of increased conflict in the Syrian region.

“Frog likes water, but not hot water” – Swahili Proverb

“In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher” – The Dalai Lama

Something to Ponder About Today