There is so much sound and fury from preening peacocks in the public sphere it takes wisdom to wade through the swamp of BS.
The great thing is moral wisdom has been preserved in so many amazing shapes and forms across history. We just have to explore and use it.
Proverbs, across many cultures, give us a bedrock of wisdom we can all use every day to stay grounded, make wise decisions, and be effective in all aspects of life.
Lesson Readings
Readings in Ethics: Moral Wisdom Past and Present. Chapter 1, pages 55-67
Introduction
Proverbs are one of the central repositories of the early ethical and wisdom traditions. The prominence of wise sayings, or proverbs, in the early oral traditions reflects that before writing existed, they served as a mechanism to pass important truths from generation to generation.
Proverbs are extremely difficult to date since they were often adapted and modified over time. One of the significant deficiencies in the academic literature on proverbs is the general failure to provide an accurate account of their historical development. The challenges are immense in putting the puzzle together in properly dating and compartmentalizing these sayings.
The proverb traditions are almost always a tool of instruction. Proverbs are powerful in capturing and clearly defining significant truths or shrewd observations that express the wisdom of the people. This wisdom usually has ethical implications. Their exploration of the depths of human wisdom is an excellent tool in our personal development.
Additional Resources
Free eBook: Ancient Jewish Proverbs
Dr. Richard Gente, from the Library of the University of North Carolina, has given free access to this very important book. Click HERE for a free pdf to explore hundreds of proverbs, with incredible analysis and history.
Free eBook: Proverbs and Common Sayings from the Chinese
Written by Arthur H. Smith, this 400 page book, courtesy of the archive.org, covers hundreds of ancient Chinese proverbs with detailed explanation and description. Click HERE to read the entire book for free.
Free eBook: Behar Proverbs (Hindu Tradition)
Written by John Christian, this translation dates all the way back to 1891 and is found on the archive.org, and you will find hundreds of Hindu proverbs to meet every taste and style. Click HERE to read the entire book for free.
Discussion Questions
How would you characterize the moral views in the various proverb traditions? What is wisdom? What constitutes a good life?
Can you find any phrases, slogans, or sayings on the internet or social media that qualify as proverbs or parallels one of the ancient proverbs you have read?
If you had to select just one proverb from everything you have studied in this chapter, which one could you adopt as guide to improve your life? Explain.
The Wisdom in Proverbs