Books and proverbs receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of ages through which they have passed.
—William Temple (1881–1944) British Clergyman, Theologian
Although none of the rules for becoming more alive is valid, it is healthy to keep on formulating them.
—Susan Sontag (1933–2004) American Writer, Philosopher
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.
—Chinese Proverb
A collections of anecdotes and maxims is the greatest of treasures for the man of the world, for he knows how to intersperse conversation with the former in fit places, and to recollect the latter on proper occasions.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
—Zen Proverb Japanese School of Mahayana Buddhism
He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself.
—Chinese Proverb
A proverb is good sense brought to a point.
—John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838–1923) British Political Leader, Writer, Editor, Journalist
Where there is no difficulty there is no praise.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Proverbs are the literature of reason, or the statements of absolute truth, without qualification. Like the sacred books of each nation, they are the sanctuary of its intuitions.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Who has never tasted what is bitter does not know what is sweet.
—German Proverb
We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.
—Japanese Proverb
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.
—Chinese Proverb
In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
—Common Proverb
If you share your friend’s crime, you make it your own.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
One joy shatters a hundred griefs.
—Chinese Proverb
One kind word can warm three winter months.
—Japanese Proverb
A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom.
—Welsh Proverb
Laughter is the best medicine.
—Common Proverb
He who has nothing to die for has nothing to live for.
—Moroccan Proverb
We all have a little weakness, which is very natural but rather misleading, for supposing that this epoch must be the end of the world because it will be the end of us. How future generations will get on without us is indeed, when we come to think of it, quite a puzzle. But I suppose they will get on somehow, and may possibly venture to revise our judgments as we have revised earlier judgments
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.
—Chinese Proverb
He that knows nothing, doubts nothing.
—Common Proverb
Seeing is believing.
—Common Proverb
A merry heart does good like medicine.
—Common Proverb
Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.
—Malaysian Proverb
Money grows on the tree of patience.
—Japanese Proverb
Sometimes, simply by sitting, the soul collects wisdom.
—Zen Proverb Japanese School of Mahayana Buddhism
Flowers leave their fragrance on the hand that bestows them.
—Chinese Proverb
A life without love is like a year without summer.
—Swedish Proverb
Maxims and aphorisms, let us remember that wisdom is the true salt of literature, and the books that are most nourishing are richly stored with it, and that is the main object to seek in reading books.
—John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838–1923) British Political Leader, Writer, Editor, Journalist
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.
—Spanish Proverb
Charity sees the need, not the cause.
—German Proverb
There’s only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
—Common Proverb
Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.
—Chinese Proverb
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Many a true word is spoken in jest.
—Common Proverb
Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.
—Swedish Proverb
Be plain in dress, and sober in your diet; In short, my dear, kiss me and be quiet.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.
—Chinese Proverb
There is often more spiritual force in a proverb than in whole philosophical systems.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
—Common Proverb
If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.
—Arabic Proverb
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
—African Proverb
Hunger is the best sauce.
—Common Proverb
The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy. Collect and learn them; they are notable measures of directions for human life; you have much in little; they save time in speaking; and upon occasion may be the fullest and safest answers.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
—Chinese Proverb
A proverb is much matter decocted into a few words.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.
If you teach a man how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
—Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919) English Novelist, Biographer
A bad workman always blames his tools.
—Common Proverb
Insults should be written in the sand, and praises carved in stone.
—Arabic Proverb
A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.
—Chinese Proverb
A bird does not sing because he has an answer. He sings because he has a song.
—Joan Walsh Anglund (b.1926) American Poet, Children’s Book Author