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. Valuable life lessons. Quotes, like proverbs, make us think more deeply about something.
So, with that in mind, each Thursday, I post a Proverb or Saying, and a Quote from different cultures and parts of the world, that I have found thought-provoking. I hope you think so too. I invite you to comment on your thoughts behind the meaning of these, often enigmatic, words.
You are very welcome to join in the discussion!
You can find previous Proverbial Thursday Quotes here – some of the discussions are fascinating.

In calm water, every ship has a good captain ~
Swedish Proverb

Although the proverb’s words did not help the ship:’Vasa’ on its maiden voyage, from Stockholm, in 1628! Read more about visiting Stockholm and what happened to the King’s ship here.

The quote I have chosen this week, does not necessarily apply only to school students, but also to workers, and all who interact with others, or reside in a community. The student’s words struck me as profound, especially for someone with much of her life ahead of her.
“It wasn’t the friendship, fights and drifts that broke us; it was if we allowed that to fester into deep grudges and acts of revenge. It wasn’t completing the assessment pieces that made us; it was feeling stressed or so over them after Term 1 and yet repeating that process in Term 2, then Term 3, then Term 4. And it wasn’t the embarrassment or judgment from people that broke us; it was whether we allowed that to shatter our confidence and self-belief.”
J Tinn – School Student 2016
The student’s words made me think it is not the misfortune or good news in itself, that affects our mood, it is how we perceive the words relative to our own sphere, how we individually interpret, accept or reject the words; how much we let the words get under our skin, or soak them up; how much we react to the words and what that reaction looks like. We can choose whether the words help or hinder us.

Is this true? We always have a personal, inner choice on how we react, even when there seems no other option? I believe so. For whilst we cannot control what others might or might not do, we can always control how we act and – react. Do you agree?

And do you think the Swedish proverb has any relevance in today’s world or is it applicable only, to times gone by?

Something to Ponder About
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