Young people often get offended by being called inexperienced and argue that wisdom and knowledge don't come with age. Someone in their 20s might have more experience than someone who has lived half a century. In rare cases, it may prove true. Yet, we should listen to older people, not because they are always right or have longer roamed this Earth and hence have more experience. Instead, we should respect them because they likely have more experience being wrong, and mistakes are man's best teachers.
Arguably, one of the most often heard, common English sayings is, "We all make mistakes." And while making mistakes and drawing lessons from failures is a path everyone must accept in life, there's plenty to learn from the mistakes and experiences of others. Common sayings are a legacy and a heritage from our ancestors that have remained true (or become outdated) over the years. Unlike history or scientifically proven truths, common sayings and phrases are accumulated wisdom and advice, rather than facts, shared by people whose life experiences proved them true.
The many common sayings about life are knowledge and practical advice put in a metaphoric form passed from generation to generation, much like an heirloom. Interestingly, the values and morals taught in common proverbs, whether those are African, Italian, or common British sayings, typically share numerous similarities with nations worldwide.
Below, we've compiled a list of proverbs from numerous nations that will ring true to many. Is there a common saying in your family that runs through generations? Also, do any of these words of wisdom originate from abroad yet are often said in your home country? Let us know!
#41
"You will know a horse by his teeth and a man by his talk." – Lithuanian proverb
Menaing: what we say, reveals who we truly are.
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#42
"A chain is as strong as its weakest link." – Danish proverb
Meaning: a group can only be as successful as its least successful or powerful person.
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#43
"A tree is known by its fruit." – Southern African proverb
Meaning: a person's or group's character or worth is determined by others based on their actions or the results thereof.
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#44
"Before you score, you first must have a goal." – Greek proverb
Meaning: you need to have a goal to get the results.
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#45
"Who begins too much accomplishes little." – German proverb
Meaning: the more you take on, the less time you have to complete it all to a standard you’re happy with.
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#46
"To be willing is only half the task." – Armenian proverb
Meaning: you have to put in the work for what you want.
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#47
"He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured." – Ethiopian proverb
Meaning: it’s important to ask for help when you need it.
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#48
"Don't take too much hay on your pitchfork." – Dutch proverb
Meaning: don't do too much at onece.
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#49
"When elephants fight, it is the grass that gets hurt." – Kenyan proverb
Meaning: fights of the powerful only hurt the little ones.
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#50
"A dog bitten by a snake is afraid of sausages." – Brazilian proverb
Meaning: after being hurt you become more careful.
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#51
"A hungry stomach has no ears." – French proverb
Meaning: it is hard to concentrate when you are hungry.
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#52
"There is a bad potato in every sack." – Welsh proverb
Meaning: you can find someone who will be a bad influence in every group.
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#53
"The egg thinks it's smarter than the hen." – Polish proverb.
Meaning: young people think they know better than older people.
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#54
"A bad worker blames his tools." – Australian proverb
Menaing: said when someone has blamed a mistake or failure on the things that they use to work.
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#55
"The tree with the most leaves will not necessarily produce juicy fruit." – Brazilian proverb
Meaning: don't judge someone by how they look.
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#56
"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." – English proverb
Meaning: it may seem like everyone around you has a better life, but you never know what is really happening in their life.
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#57
"Borrowed bread lies heavy on the stomach." – Ukrainian proverb
Meaning: people don't appreciate what they have.
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#58
"God gave teeth, God will provide the bread." – Lithuanian proverb
Meaning: don't worry about the future.
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#59
"It takes a whole village to raise a child." – African proverbs
Meaning: the society is responsible for the moral characters it creates.
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#60
"Lying has no legs." – Egyptian proverb
Meaning: if you lie, you will be found out.
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