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.

A watched pot never boils - Proverb for January 6

This familiar proverb "A watched pot never boils" shows up for January 6 on my daily calendar, "The World's Greatest Proverbs".  This is again a very familiar proverb but what exactly does it mean and how does it help me in my life?  The meaning is pretty straight forward which is that we should be patience.  The imagery here is that if we wait for a pot to boil it will take longer and we become impatient as we wait for it. However if we do not wait on the pot and allow the pot to come to a boil in its own time we will not be disappointed.

In practice this proverb reminds me to be patient and to let things go at their own pace.  Perhaps this is a helpful reminder for me as a parent of small children to be more patient as they need the constant reminders and guidance.

Speech is silver, but silence is golden - Proverb for January 5

Our proverb for January 5 is "Speech is silver, but silence is golden".  After some quick research I found suggestions that this is speaking against gossip and how silence is better than gossip. Others suggest it is simply stating that it is better to say nothing rather than feel the need to speak.

I think both of these meanings are fine and worth practicing but I also think this proverb tells us the value of listening over that of speaking.  The real value in silence is being able to listen to the wisdom of others.  Something that I would benefit from being reminded of.

You never miss the water till the well runs dry - Proverb for January 4

For January 4, I read the following proverb from my daily calendar "The Worlds Great Proverbs", "You never miss the water till the well runs dry".

This is one of those "don't take anything for granted" type proverbs and the basic message is that it's not until you lose something that you appreciate it. So the lesson for me today is simply to not take anything for granted.  This is especially true for my health, job, family and friends.  It also reminds me to be more thankful for all these things. Above all we can be thankful to God for all that we have above what we need.  Actually we should be thankful for having our basic needs met as well, after all there are many who lack this too.

Who won't be ruled by the rudder must be ruled by the rock - Proverb for January 3

January 3 of "The Worlds Great Proverbs" daily calendar has this proverb, "Who won't be ruled by the rudder must be ruled by the rock."  I've never heard this proverb before but I like it already.  The meaning seems to be pretty straight forward but the application can be pretty big.  This proverb suggests that there can be severe consequences if we don't listen to those things that are there to guide us such as reason, instruction or warning.  There are plenty of examples of this in the lives of people living around us.  Just read the news and you see what happens to those who have ignored the instructions or warnings of others or have not listed to their own reason.  Of course we can probably find a few of these examples in our own lives.

It is prudent then to use the wisdom, knowledge and instruction of others to help us avoid mistakes and other pitfalls.  I know for my self the best rudder I have comes from the Bible as it is first and foremost the ultimate guide to avoiding the ultimate consequence.  Secondly the Bible is the best advice simply for getting through this life.

The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong - Proverb for January 2

January 2 of "The Worlds Great Proverbs" desk calendar brings me to this proverb, "The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong".  This is a familiar proverb to me but I haven't given it much thought before. After reading this proverb I feel there is something missing.  The statement seems true enough but also seem to be incomplete.  If the race is not to the swift then who does the race go to?  And if the battle is not won by the strong then who is it won by?  What is the point here?

At first glance the basic message seems to be that there are many other factors to victory and success than the most obvious.

The source of this proverb is from Ecclesiastes 9:11 and a look at this verse shows this proverb in context.

"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." NIV

The key to understanding this proverb is in the conclusion that "time and chance happen to them all".  When I originally read this proverb I assumed the lesson to take was that I should not focus on being the swiftest or the strongest but find other advantages to bring to the table.  While this is still a valid lesson I think the point this proverb is really making is that doing our very best doesn't guarantee victory or success.  In conclusion I think we should put our best effort into everything we do but should not expect that this will guarantee us a win. A successful person is not always the most qualified but may simply be the one who is in the right place at the right time.

Procrastination is the thief of time - Proverb for January 1

My daughter gave me a desk calendar called "The Worlds Great Proverbs" with a proverbs of wisdom for each day.  Rather than just quickly read each days entry and forget it, I decided to really thing about each one and decide if I agree with it and how I might use it for my personal development.

The proverb for January 1 is that "Procrastination is the thief of time".  I find this a powerful statement and find myself agreeing with the this pearl of wisdom.  Procrastination is definitely something I struggle with as I've wasted a lot of time doing pointless tasks to avoid those I really want to complete or would benefit from.

Procrastination is defined as the delay or postponing of something.  In some cases something of a higher priority comes up and I would not consider this procrastination after all, we can't complete all our responsibilities in the time given and have to make decisions on what is a priority.  The problem really comes out when I waste opportune  time to do something on my todo list.  The biggest culprit for me right now is just sitting on the Internet browsing through nothing in particular.

Since today is Jan 1 and a new year and an ideal time to start over and begin fresh I will resolve to use my time more wisely.  My one complaint is that this piece of wisdom really isn't something I want to start on Jan 1 simply because it's a stat holiday and a day to recover from the new years evening celebrations however, the irony is not lost on me that I'm procrastinating on my resolve to not procrastinate.

Here then is some of my ideas to make better use of my time and cut out the procrastination.
- Schedule my calendar more with specific things I want to complete and of course follow through on it.
- Cut out the daily websites I visit that just start a chain of browsing and becomes a black hole for time.
- Stop sitting in the comfy sofa when I get home from work or after supper.
- Identify other ways I procrastinate and find ways to avoid these situations.

By cutting out the procrastination I also hope to focus more on my personal growth and particularly my devotional life.  I also hope to get ahead in my blogging with the intention of making some money on the side.  The other major benefit is to simply use the additional time for the kids and for projects around the house.

So in conclusion, I completely agree with todays proverb and commit to working on procrastination in order to accomplish more and use my time productively to my personal benefit and the benefit of my family.