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 Common sayings are a legacy and a heritage from our ancestors that have remained true (or become outdated) over the years.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!
#81
"It’s easier to give birth than to think about it." – Japanese proverb
Meaning: it’s easy to stress over the future, but often what we worry so much about is easier than we think it will be.
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#82
"A leopard cannot change its spots." – American proverb
Meaning: people cannot change their basic personalities, habits, etc.
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#83
"The old horse in the stable still yearns to run." – Asian proverb
Meaning: those who are older still have things they would like to accomplish.
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#84
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." – Asian proverb
Meaning: it is more worthwhile to teach someone to do something than to do it for them.
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#85
"A monkey in silk is a monkey no less." – American proverb
Meaning: just because someone dresses in a fancy way or elegantly, this does not mean that they are fancy or of good character.
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#86
"Laugh and the world laugh with you, weep and you weep alone." – English proverb
Meaning: people prefer cheerfulness in others.
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#87
"The tree often hides the forest." – French proverb
Meaning: to be unable to get a general understanding of a situation because you are too worried about the details.
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#88
"Some men go through a forest and see no firewood." – English Proverb
Meaning: sometimes you either have it or you don’t.
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#89
"A nice fig is often full of warm." – Zulu proverb
Meaning: don't judge anyone by how they look.
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#90
"Shrimp that fall asleep are carried away by the current." – Colombian proverb
Meaning: don't get left behind.
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#91
"Leave it to a Batman." – Filipino proverb
Meaning: some problems need to be solved by superheroes.
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#92
"Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows fall behind you." – Maori proverb
Meaning: our sense of optimism and pessimism can determine the outcomes.
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#93
"Wise men learn from other men's mistakes." – Ukrainian proverb
Meaning: do not repeat the mistakes that other people have made.
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#94
"The one who stays the last, is left for the frost." – Turkish proverb
Meaning: the people who lag behind will either lose or not have any benefits.
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#95
"Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested." – African proverb
Meaning: if you don’t make efforts to acquire knowledge then you would not expect to have it and if you do not put the knowledge you have to use, you cannot expect to gain anything from it.
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