GRACEFUL PROVERBS A closed fist is the lock of heaven and the open hand is the key of mercy. (Persian). A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials. (Chinese). A generation is like a swift horse passing a crevice. (Chinese). A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment. (Kashmiri). J. Hinton Knowles in referring to this proverb gives the following information: "This proverb is credited to a holy and clever Pandit called Nand Ram, who lived at Bawan, a sacred Hindu village in Kashmir. This man wrote many rather clever verses in praise of Krishna. He seems to have been terribly dunned by the officials of Bawan, if one may judge from the following lines: 'Nand Ram was a husbandman, And he paid his debts; but there was always somebody after him (for money), He never knew what it was to live freely in his own house, but was continually obliged to lodge in the house of another, (Never mind), from the seed of contentment a harvest of peace will be reaped.' The piece of poetry from which the above proverb is taken is the following: 'You should sow the seed of destiny in the soil of Dharma (i.e. virtue, religion, duty, law, moral and religious truth according to the Vedas and the law). From the seed of contentment a harvest of peace will be reaped. Plough with the two oxen of the two breaths day and night, Strike them hard with the whip of extreme meditation; Endeavour so that not a spot of ground will remain unploughed. From the seed of contentment a harvest of peace is reaped. Break the clods with the staff of love, That the damp of envy may not remain beneath: From the seed of contentment a harvest of peace is reaped."" A learned assembly is a living library. (Arabian). A loving disposition is a river without a ripple. (Tamil). An old friend is a mount for a black day. (Osmanli). "A friend is best found in adversity." (English). "A good friend is better than silver and gold." (Dutch). "A true friend is known in the day of adversity." (Turkish). "An old friend is better than two new ones.' (German and Russian). "Familiar paths and old friends are the best.' (German). "My friend is he who helps me in time of need." (German). "Old friends and old ways ought not to be disdained." (Danish). " An old man in love is like a flower in winter. (Portuguese). The German saying, "The old man who is loved is winter with flowers," is equally graceful and picturesque. A poor man without patience is like a lamp without oil. (Arabian). As the rivers pour their waters back again into the sea, so what a man has lent is returned to him again. (Chinese). This proverb refers not so much to the loaning of money in business, as the loaning for reasons of benevolence. (Ps. xxxvii : 25, 26; cxii: 5; Prov. xix: 17; Luke vi : 34, 35). A similar thought is expressed in the Turkish axiom: "Who gives alms sows one and reaps one thousand.” A widow is a rudderless boat. (Chinese). A woman without religion, a flower without perfume. (German). "A man without religion is like a horse without a bridle." (Latin). Broad is the shadow of generosity. (Arabian). Death is a black camel which kneels at every man's gate. (Turkish). The camel kneels to receive its burden. Here death is represented as a camel that is sure at some time to stop before every man's door to receive and bear away his body for burial. Enjoyment is the grace of God. (Hindustani). Even the heart has its boundaries. (Japanese). Every blade of grass has its share of the dews of heaven. (Chinese). "Ilka blade o' grass keps its ain drap o' dew." (Scotch). Experience is the looking-glass of the intellect. (Arabian). Falsehood is the darkness of faith. (Persian). "Modesty is the light of faith." (Turkish). Flowers open without choosing the rich man's ground, the moon shines bright on mountains and rivers; only within the heart of men is evil; all other things must resolve themselves into heaven's parental care of the human race. (Chinese). Fortune is the good man's prize, but the bad man's bane. (Chinese). God is the guardian of a blind man's wife. (Hindustani). God rights him that keeps silence. (Persian). God's club makes no noise. (Persian). This proverb refers to oppression that one has to endure from others, indicating that the cruelty and injustice that falls to one's lot should be borne with patience as the chastisement of God. God's help is nearer than the door. (Irish). Good words are like a string of pearls. (Chinese). Grey hairs are death's blossoms. (English, German). "Old age is a crown of nettles; youth a crown of roses. (Hebrew). “Hoary hairs are death's messengers. (Arabian). Heaven is at the feet of mothers. (Persians). Children who are obedient to their mothers will enter heaven. He flings a noose on the star in heaven. (Osmanli). Husband and wife in perfect accord are the music of the harp and lute. (Chinese). In the hum of the market there is money, but under the cherry tree there is rest. (Japanese). Kisses are the messengers of love. (Danish). "As wave follows Life is a light before the wind. (Japanese). "Man is a bubble." (Greek). wave, so new men take old men's places.' "Men live like birds together in a wood; when the time comes each takes his flight." "A generation is like a swift horse passing a crevice." "When we take off our boots and stockings today, that we shall wear them tomorrow who can tell?" "Man's life is like a candle in the wind or hoar-frost on the tiles." (Chinese). See Job vii : 6, 7; Ps. lxxviii : 39; ciii : 15, 16; James iv: 14. "Look at the heavens, how they roll on, Abul Kasim Mansur. Life is like the moon; now dark, now full. (Polish). Memory is a falcon, that, if it be caught, is not held; affection is a sparrow's nest, that, if it be crushed, is not made. (Ösmanli). Memory is soon lost; love is fragile and must be tenderly treated lest it be destroyed. Mild speech enchains the heart. (Arabian). Nightly prayer makes the day to shine. (Arabian). "Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night." (English). Patience is a tree whose root is bitter, but its fruit very sweet. (Persian, German). "A moment's patience is a ten-years' comfort." |