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Proverbs
Continuing on my recent Pause 4 Thought theme using the letter ‘P’.
I wonder how many of you jumped to the conclusion that my thought today was going to be centred on the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. WRONG! You see we all jump to conclusions, and usually these are based on our limited knowledge at that point. – a link back to my ‘ignorance can be fixed’ story in my Perspective thought. There is a Russian proverb “There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out.” A Hindii saying translates as “You can wake a man who is asleep, but you cannot wake a man who pretends to be asleep.” The English equivalent being: “There is none so blind as he who will not see.”
When I was working I had the privilege to visit many different countries and cultures. I think on last count I have visited more than 40 countries. One thing that I have learned, with hindsight (what a wonderful thing), is that many of our English proverbs have corresponding proverbs in other languages. Proving to me that, at its core, human nature is the same, irrespective of culture or language. A Yiddish proverb says: “Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven.”
I was given two books when we lived in Dubai: ‘The Son of a Duck is a Floater’ [Like Father, Like Son] and ‘Apricots Tomorrow’ [Jam Tomorrow]. Both books list similarities between English and Arabic proverbs. There are so many similarities, dealing with similar situations, and human emotions. Here are but 2:
- Perseverance - 23rd July
- Perspective - 27th July
- Proverbs
I wonder how many of you jumped to the conclusion that my thought today was going to be centred on the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. WRONG! You see we all jump to conclusions, and usually these are based on our limited knowledge at that point. – a link back to my ‘ignorance can be fixed’ story in my Perspective thought. There is a Russian proverb “There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out.” A Hindii saying translates as “You can wake a man who is asleep, but you cannot wake a man who pretends to be asleep.” The English equivalent being: “There is none so blind as he who will not see.”
When I was working I had the privilege to visit many different countries and cultures. I think on last count I have visited more than 40 countries. One thing that I have learned, with hindsight (what a wonderful thing), is that many of our English proverbs have corresponding proverbs in other languages. Proving to me that, at its core, human nature is the same, irrespective of culture or language. A Yiddish proverb says: “Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven.”
I was given two books when we lived in Dubai: ‘The Son of a Duck is a Floater’ [Like Father, Like Son] and ‘Apricots Tomorrow’ [Jam Tomorrow]. Both books list similarities between English and Arabic proverbs. There are so many similarities, dealing with similar situations, and human emotions. Here are but 2:
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Proverbs deal with many of life’s situations, the drive to push on and always keep going even in the face of adversity – there is a Japanese saying “Fall down seven times, get up eight” a great motto to live by.
"To err is human." has similarities in many countries: France: “The mistake is human”, China: “Even the wise are not always free from error”, but my favourite from Japan: “Even monkeys fall from trees”.
I am also reminded of an African proverb: “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” This reminds us that we all have a part in developing, helping and encouraging each other. “No man is an island” comes to mind. We have a responsibility to others, what we say and do affects others. Listen to the African Children's choir sing this song.
"To err is human." has similarities in many countries: France: “The mistake is human”, China: “Even the wise are not always free from error”, but my favourite from Japan: “Even monkeys fall from trees”.
I am also reminded of an African proverb: “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” This reminds us that we all have a part in developing, helping and encouraging each other. “No man is an island” comes to mind. We have a responsibility to others, what we say and do affects others. Listen to the African Children's choir sing this song.
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As you listen remind yourself that we are all children of God no matter what our physical age may be, and that it takes a whole church “village” community to raise, nurture, encourage, develop and grow a child of God.
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There is a New Zealand proverb that says: “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.” It is not difficult to spiritualise this saying, as with many other proverbs. In Hebrews chapter 12:1-2 [The Voice Translation] we read: So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us. We may feel alone, but we aren’t. We are surrounded by an army of witnesses. They have run the race of faith and finished well. It is now our turn. Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honour.
"Turn you eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" is Chinese proverb, being part of the solution and not the problem, being a contributor, doing something rather than just complain about the "darkness". This reminds me that all I do is to the honour and glory of God and that should be my guiding principal in everything I do. Yes it is always better to light a candle.
Have you lit a 'candle' today?
I will finish with a word from the books of Proverbs, Colossians and Ephesians - all good solid and sound advice:
"Turn you eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness" is Chinese proverb, being part of the solution and not the problem, being a contributor, doing something rather than just complain about the "darkness". This reminds me that all I do is to the honour and glory of God and that should be my guiding principal in everything I do. Yes it is always better to light a candle.
Have you lit a 'candle' today?
I will finish with a word from the books of Proverbs, Colossians and Ephesians - all good solid and sound advice:
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Note: This series of 'Pause for Thought' started on Monday 4th May. To find these previous thoughts go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'Daily Pause for Thought' section of the website we will only keep 2 weeks of contributions before putting them into the Archive.
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