Variety is the spice of life - Proverb for February 23

"Variety is the spice of life" teaches us to make our life interesting and to add to our life different experiences. It's easy to get into a rut in our life with routines and responsibilities.  This proverb teaches us to make life fun by adding some variety.

What you've never had you never miss - Proverb for February 22

"What you've never had you never miss" can be used to console someone who may have had their heart set on something that is no longer available.  Some examples would be someone hoping to land a certain job or hoping for a relationship with someone.  The meaning is simply that you should not feel you have missed out on anything and to just move on since nothing really has changed in your situation.

Enough is good as a feast - Proverb for February 21

"Enough is good as a feast" simply means that there is no need to have an excess of something.  We simply need to have enough of something since there is no advantage to having more than enough.

The best doctors are Dr Diet, Dr Quiet, and Dr Merryman - Proverb for February 20

The proverb "The best doctors are Dr Diet, Dr Quiet, and Dr Merryman" basically means that in order to live a healthy life, we need to have a healthy diet, have plenty of rest and have some enjoyment in our life. Most of our ailments stem from poor diet, a hectic life and stress and so these three pieces of advice will bring relief.

A cat in gloves catches no mice - Proverb for February 19

The proverb for today is "A cat in gloves catches no mice" and means that you cannot get what you want by being polite and pleasant.  The idea is that as a cat needs its claws to catch mice, we need claws to get what we want. I certainly wouldn't live by this proverb although there is certainly a time and place to be more firm and demanding.

It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive - Proverb for February 18

The proverb "It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive" teaches us to enjoy the process of accomplishing something as much as actually accomplishing it.  An example might be to enjoy the planning and the travelling to your vacation destination for this is all part of the experience.

Fair and softly goes far in a day - Proverb for February 17

"Fair and softly goes far in a day" means that we should be gentle and careful in our dealings with others and that this will have a better affect on them if we hope to make a positive impact.

The unexpected always happens - Proverb for February 16

The proverb "The unexpected always happens" teaches us to not to be overly confident that something will not happen to us.  We cannot think of or plan everything that might happen to us and should not be surprised by the unexpected.

Happy's the wooing that's not long a-doing - Proverb for February 15

The proverb for today is "Happy's the wooing that's not long a-doing" and teaches us that it is not good to have a long courtship before marriage.  Delaying marriage too long during the courtship may cause unhappiness however we should also remember that rushing into marriage is not always the best for a marriage either.

A faint heart never won a fair lady - Proverb for February 14

The saying "A faint heart never won a fair lady" is used to describe someone who is too scared to go after something they want.  The example is a man who is scared to approach a woman he is interested in and as a result he will not win her love.  The proverb encourages us to go after our dreams and to not be afraid of the possibility of rejection.

Patience is a virtue - Proverb for February 13

This is a very well known proverb and one of the earliest proverbs I remember hearing.  The proverb means that patience is a valuable quality and one that we should all strive for.  The definition of patience is to be able to tolerate or accept delay or trouble without getting upset or angry.  There is no question this is a good attitude to have in life.

No one should be judge in his own cause - Proverb for February 12

The proverb for today is pretty straight forward.  "No one should be judge in his own cause" means we should not be the one to decide if our own cause is right or wrong.  We can make and defend our cause but to judge it should belong to someone who is neutral.

Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs - Proverb for February 11

The meaning behind this proverb seems to be that there are some things we do that are for the benefit of our heirs.  Both Walnuts and Pears take time to grow and if we plant them ourselves we would not benefit from them for long.  Instead we would plant these for our children's benefit.  So this proverb encourages us to plan for the future generations.

None but the brave deserve the fair - Proverb for February 10

This proverb has a couple meanings.  One meaning is that a brave man deserve the fair woman.  Both qualities are desirable and therefore the best deserve the best.  The second meaning is that one who is brave will be have the courage to go for the woman he loves and encourages men to act boldly.

What's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh - Proverb for February 9

The meaning of "What's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh" is that certain characteristics we have inherited from our ancestors we will also pass on to our descendants.  This proverb is also often used to mean that we cannot hide or repress our character and that it will inevitably come out in our behavior.

Life isn't all beer and skittles - Proverb for February 8

The meaning to "Life isn't all beer and skittles" is that life isn't always pleasurable, it isn't always fun and games. It's worth noting that skittles in this proverb isn't a reference to the chewy colorful candy but is a reference to a game similar to bowling.

What can you expect from a pig but a grunt - Proverb for February 7

The proverb "What can you expect from a pig but a grunt" means that you can not expect a person to behave in such a way that is out of character for them.  Such people are stuck in their ways and can't be changed and we shouldn't expect more from them.  This is a rhetorical saying and isn't so much meant to be a true proverb as it is an insult to be used on someone who shows this behavior.

After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile - Proverb for February 6

The idea behind today's proverb is that dinner is a large meal and we benefit from taking it easy after such a meal to aid in digestion.  Supper on the other hand is a lighter meal and there is no reason to take it easy and in some cases a walk may even be beneficial.  While this may be a catchy proverb there doesn't seem to be much information about it or a strong case for it and so I personally don't find this proverb very convincing.

The rotten apple injures its neighbor - Proverb for February 5

The proverb for February 5 is "The rotten apple injures its neighbor".  This proverb teaches us that as a rotten apple in a basket will start to mold and cause the other apples near it to also begin to rot, so it is with a person of bad character who will influence those they are with to do likewise.  We would do well to be neither the rotten apple or the neighbor in this situation.

Out of debt, out of danger - Proverb for February 4

Our proverb for today teaches us that it is dangerous, and by extension unwire, to be in debt to anyone or to owe someone money.  Someone who has no debt has freedom and security for themselves but someone who is in debt to another is at risk of losing everything and never getting ahead.  Our lesson for today is to avoid debt first and get out of debt second.

Don't cross the bridge till you come to it - Proverb for February 3

The proverb for February 3rd is "Don't cross the bridge till you come to it".  The meaning of this proverb is that we shouldn't worry about something before we have to.  It can be pretty easy for us to dwell on things in our minds that are in the future or may never even happen.  Instead of worrying about something we should wait till we are facing the situation.

Least said, soonest mended - Proverb for February 2

The proverb "Least said, soonest mended" teaches us that the best action when we are in an argument or disagreement is to say as little as possible.  This will bring the conflict to an end quicker and keep it from escalating.  This is indeed wise advice that I need to remember in my own life.

If in February there be no rain 'tis neither good for hay nor grain - Proverb for February 1

As I come to February 1 in the "World's Greatest Proverbs" daily calendar we come to the proverb "If in February there be no rain 'tis neither good for hay nor grain".  This proverb means just what it says, that if there is no rain in February then the hay and grain will not do well later in the growing season.  Since I'm looking for practical lessons from these proverbs I have to consider what I can take from this proverb since on its own there isn't much I can do with this.  I suppose the main take away from this proverb is that in various areas of our life, it is good to have a strong head start.  Some practical examples of this would be do well at school to have a good work career or that being there for your kids when they are young will benefit them as they grow up.

Thrift is a great revenue - Proverb for January 31

Today's proverb is that "Thrift is a great revenue" and simply means that we can often save a significant amount of money by cutting our spending.  This proverb is a good reminder to review our expenses on occasion as so many companies are after our hard earned money.  We can often save a significant amount of money simply by simplifying our lives instead of worrying about increasing our income to afford our desires. Personally I enjoy the challenge of finding the best price and looking for ways to save money.

Virtue is its own reward - Proverb for January 30

The proverb that "Virtue is its own reward" simply means that we should be virtuous simply because it is the right thing to be.  We should not do it in the expectation of some reward or recognition but simply knowing that we are living with the goal to be good and honorable.  The meaning of virtue is doing what is right or good and with integrity.  It certainly seems that this is becoming a more rare thing to see as we follow the news and hear some of the stories of what people do each other.  It's good to hear the stories and examples of someone who does what is right.  Some of the positive examples that come to mind is someone who returns a large amount of money they have found to the rightful owner.

He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount - Proverb for January 29

Todays proverb is "He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount".  The imagery here is quite vivid as we can imagine that someone has managed to get on a tiger but is now afraid to get off because they know the tiger will turn on them and attack them.  The best they can do at this point is to just hang on.  The meaning behind this proverb is that once you have begun something dangerous it may actually be more dangerous to stop this action and so the idea is that the smarter or safer thing to do is to carry through with it.  A common area we see this proverb put into practice is when someone starts to lie and continue in the lie expecting that they will come out unscathed.  Of course the best course of action is to stay off the tiger in the first place.  We must consider the consequences of everything we start.

Speak not of my debts unless you mean to pay them - Proverb for January 28

The proverb "Speak not of my debts unless you mean to pay them" is meant to be taken quite literally and was simply meant that we should not speak of the debts of someone else unless we mean to pay them. After considering this proverb I think this proverb can take on a much larger meaning.

This proverb can apply to so many other situations where people seem to have no problems criticizing us but fail to provide anything constructive or helpful. It's easy to bring people down but if we don't offer any help or guidance then we are better off not saying anything at all.

I will certainly consider this proverb more in the future before I speak about someone else in a negative manner.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature - Proverb for January 27

Our proverb for January 27 of "The Worlds Greatest Proverbs" is that "Self-preservation is the first law of nature."  The idea behind this proverb is that all living things will fight to survive.  Additionally that people will look out for themselves first.  While this may be true in many situations I don't believe this is universal.  We have all heard stories of people who have sacrificed something, even their own life in some extreme situation, for another.  Some examples are a parent sacrificing their life to save a child,  a firefighter for the life of someone in trouble, and every soldier who has gone to battle for another.  With that in mind I don't find this proverb very agreeable.

It is never too late to mend - Proverb for January 26

The meaning behind the proverb "It is never too late to mend" is that there is always time to heal or work on a damaged relationship.  Mending is the repairing of something that is damaged or torn.  This proverb encourages us to heal those relationships that have become strained one way or the other.  We can often get the ball started here by apologizing for our part in the matter.

We must eat a peck of dirt before we die - Proverb for January 25

The proverb for January 25 is that "We must eat a peck of dirt before we die".  This proverb seems to have a couple meaning behind it.

The first meaning is that everyone must put up with some unpleasant things in his or her lifetime.  No one can escape some misfortune or difficulty.

The second meaning is more literal by saying that in a lifetime everyone will eat some dirt through the food we ingest or through falls and spills.  This will often be said to someone who has taken a fall and ends up with a mouth full or dirt.

When house and land are gone and spent, then learning is most excellent - Proverb for January 24

The proverb for January 24 teaches us the importance of education and having something to fall back on.  "When house and land are gone and spent, then learning is most excellent".  When you have lost all you have then you will need to rely on working for a living for which education is the key.  Another way to look at this is that education and learning are better than house and land.

No man can serve two masters - Proverb for January 23

For January 23 we have another proverb which comes from the Bible.  In Matthew 6:24 we find the verse "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon." (WEB)  The proverb when read in context is already explained very well and so there isn't much to add other than to explain that Mammon is just another word for material wealth. When serving 2 masters your attention and dedication will be focused on one or the other but not both equally or perfectly.  You will also begin to favor one master over the other and despise the demands of the other.  This proverb of course serves a specific purpose when it was spoken by Jesus so it is worth mentioning that this proverb makes clear the need to serve God above serving our desire for material things.

Second thoughts are best - Proverb for January 22

The meaning to today's proverb "Second thoughts are best" is that when we reconsidering a matter we generally find our second decision is better than our first.  This is a very accurate statement as we can all agree that decisions should be made carefully and considered fully.

He that cannot obey cannot command - Proverb for January 21

Reading January 21 of "The World's Greatest Proverbs" daily calendar, we find "He that cannot obey cannot command".  This proverb comes from Benjamin Franklin and suggest that before one can be a commander, he must first have been a soldier.  Another application I see is that everyone has someone above them to answer to and if you are not willing to obey your superiors then you should not expect to be able to command over others.  This proverb seems especially relevant if we remember that we must obey God who is our ultimate superior.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder - Proverb for January 20

We've all heard the proverb "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".  The meaning is pretty clear, that your desire for someone (or something) will grow if you are separated.  This proverb is often used to comfort those in long distance relationships.  Some however argue that absence can also make the heart wander.  This proverb seems like a nice idea but isn't really one that rings true in all cases.

Genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains - Proverb for January 19

Today's proverb, "Genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains", will make more sense if we look at the meaning of the word "pain".  The less common usage of the word pain refers to great effort or care.  The meaning of this proverb then is that genius is the ability to put great attention to detail and to put a lot of effort into the task.

The sun loses nothing by shining into a puddle - Proverb for January 18

The proverb for today is that "The sun loses nothing by shining into a puddle".  The sun here represents something or someone great and the puddle is something or someone that is in itself worthless, dirty or even evil.  So the meaning to this proverb is that the greater person will not be disgraced or tainted by the evil person or object.  Or another meaning is that a good thing is not made bad if it also is beneficial to something that is worthless.

The leopard does not change his spots - Proverb for January 17

The source of this proverb is from the Bible, Jeremiah 13:23 where it says "Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil." (NIV)

Since the leopard is a hunter and a dangerous animal, it represents a bad person. The "spots" represents the particular undesirable or bad characteristic of the person in question. It also implies that this characteristic cannot be changed or hidden.

So the meaning of this proverb is that a person cannot change their character traits, especially the negative ones.

The pen is mightier than the sword - Proverb for January 16

The proverb "The pen is mightier than the sword" which I read for January 16 from my day calendar "The Worlds Greatest Proverbs" is a very familiar proverb and one I've heard since I was young.  The message is simply, you can affect more change with words than with violence.  This proverb seems very true when we consider the different religions, philosophies and economic systems at play in the world which all came about from the words and ideas of man.  Many of them involved the sword at some point but it's the words that they are fighting over.

Why keep a dog and bark yourself? - Proverb for January 15

The lesson from today's proverb "Why keep a dog and bark yourself" is that we should not do the work that someone else has been hired to do. The idea here is that if you have a dog to protect your home and valuables from intruders, you would not be the one barking to scare them off.  You would let the dog take care of this task which is it what it has been trained to do.  Another example would if you have hired someone to clean your house but before the housekeeper gets there you run around and tidy it up first. 

As I think about this proverb I see another angle this proverb can take.  If you have a dog and you end up having to do the barking yourself, there isn't much use for the dog.  I think this would apply to work and other group dynamics where someone does not pull their weight and causes the others to pick up the slack.

Charity begins at home - Proverb for January 14

The proverb for today is that "Charity begins at home".  The lesson here is that one should not neglect the needs of those  close to them while taking care of the needs of others.  This proverb is often applied to taking care of your own family before going out of your way to help others.  I also hear it used when speaking about the needs in other countries and sending financial aid when there are people in need in our own country.  

While we certainly should not neglect the needs of our own family and those in our own country we should be willing to help others in need even if they are far away.  It seems too easy to go to the opposite extreme of not sending help to another family or to a foreign country expecting that someone else will take care of them.

What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over - Proverb for January 13

For January 13 in "The World's Greatest Proverbs" we come to "What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over". The meaning to this proverb is that if you are unaware of something you also will not be troubled by it.  I find this proverb has become quite true for me as I have become an adult.  As a child there were many worldly things I didn't know about and didn't have to worry about.  As I grow in age and awareness I have many more concerns as well as more desires which take up my mind.  Life has certainly become more complicated.  I think it's hard to avoid this situation completely but keeping life simple will help.

Little leaks sink the ship - Proverb for January 12

Today we focus on the proverb that "Little leaks sink the ship".  The meaning is pretty straight forward for this proverb.  We see situations where something that was otherwise large and powerful is brought down even through small events.  This has happened in governments where one or several mistakes cause a collapse at the top.  We see it in businesses where they ignore the customer or market and then allow competition to take over.  We see it in individuals who have lost everything due to what seems a small mistake or lack of judgment. 

For a personal application this proverb reminds me about the importance of integrity in all aspects of life to avoid those things which might destroy us.

Wordle of Genesis 3 - "The Fall"

This is the Fall into Sin found in Genesis 3, represented by a Wordle.

In vain the net is spread in the sight of the bird - Proverb for January 11

Today's proverb is "In vain the net is spread in the sight of the bird".  This proverb comes from the Bible and is found in Proverbs 1:17.  We should actually read this with verse 18 or in context with verse 8-19.

I find this proverb a bit more complicated than others.  I found some different interpretations which seems to be either that the birds avoid the net (which I am surprised birds are clever enough to avoid a trap) or the birds will go into the net anyway and are caught.

I realized that I was getting caught in the meaning of the word "vain".  I was reading the proverb so that it was in vain (futile or ineffective) that the fowler (bird catcher) was spreading the net before the birds.  I realize now that another interpretation is that to the birds the net is in vain (ineffective) at stopping them from visiting the bait and they are therefore caught up.

I think in context with verse 18 which says "but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives." the meaning of this proverb is that like birds who get caught up in the net that is visible to them, so the wicked get caught up in the trap they them selves have set.  The wicked only ambush themselves in their schemes to get others to follow their wickedness.

I think this proverb is one that doesn't make sense immediately but put in context it starts to become clear what the intent is here.  In practice we need to be aware of the traps set out there and not fall into them.

A bleating sheep loses a bite - Proverb for January 10

Our proverb for January 10 is that "A bleating sheep loses a bite".  The idea with this proverb is that opportunities may be lost by those who chatter or complain.  This proverb can apply to those who spend to much time talking about big plans but fail to take advantage of the opportunities they have.  It also touches on those who complain since bleating has come to refer to those who complain.  So complaining not only gains us nothing but we actually lose out on what we could have.  I like this proverb and can definitely see the lesson for myself.

Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies - Proverb for January 9

Today's proverb tells us that "Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies".  This proverb seems pretty straight forward.  If we have a large problem we may need an extreme solution.  I interpret this proverb to mean that the solution may sometimes need to be as much or in some cases more difficult or dangerous as the problem itself.  Honesty I hope I don't run into a situation that requires desperate remedies but I suppose it may happen at some point.  

When I read this proverb I also can't help but think of the expression to "think outside the box".  This proverb can just as easily be used to get us to think of new and unique ways to resolve problems we face.

All things come to those who wait - Proverb for January 8

The proverb for January 8 tells me that "All things come to those who wait".  Right off the top I can tell you that I don't find myself agreeing with this proverb. I think the obviously teaching of this proverb is that we need patience but the idea that "all things" come to those who wait seems a stretch.  I find this a stretch because of what I see on the news or hear others go through.  The amount of suffering in the world and the people who have waited for healing or love tells me this isn't a true statement.  Not all prayers are answered as we would expect.

I though maybe I was missing something in this proverb so I did some quick research on it.  I didn't see any other interpretation so I will stick with the simple meaning that this is a call for patience.  One take away I will make from this proverb is that we shouldn't give up easily.  It would be a shame if someone were to quit on something they desire because it takes too long.  Patience and persistence are both virtues worth practicing.

Wordle of Genesis 2 - "Adam and Eve"

This Wordle of Genesis 2:4-25 sums up the story of the creation of Adam and Eve.  Man is definitely the most popular word in this text but God and Lord are still used a lot which makes sense as he is God and Lord over his creation.

Time and tide will wait for no man - Proverb for January 7

Our proverb for January 7 is "Time and tide will wait for no man".   Since time and tide are 2 things that man is not able to control, this proverb encourages us to make the most of the moment and not to wait for other opportunities or for better circumstances.  It encourages us to take life by the horns so to speak.

I have to admit that initially I didn't understand the reference to tide.  I didn't see how it related to the references to time and suspected it had something to do with sailer's from the days of old who had to take advantage of the tide of the sea.  After some research I learned that the "Tide" is not referencing the rising and falling of the sea but is a reference to a period of time or of an opportunity.  Seems this is not as common usage of this word anymore.

So this proverb is warning us again against procrastination and encouraging us to make the most of time and opportunity.