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Updated 4mo ago
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It’s a simple and profound truth about human relationships: Making a promise means creating an expectation in others. When we fail to keep our promises, we damage our relationships and our reputation. Next time you make a promise, ask yourself, "Would I sign a contract that said this?"

French
Chose promise, chose due 
A thing promised is a thing owed. 
Russian:
Долг платежом красен, а займы отдачею. 
The beauty of a debt is its payment 
Alternative translation: A debt is beautiful when it is paid off, and loans when repaid.
Latin:
Pacta sunt servanda
Agreements must be kept (an important principle of international law)
Chinese
口說無憑
Spoken words are no guarantee.
English
Your word is your bond

What do you think? Is a promise as strong as a contract?
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Sources
French proverb: Chose promise, chose due
Latin Proverb: Pacta sunt servanda 
Russian Proverb: attested to here and in this 1941 USSR propaganda poster
Chinese 口說無憑 Spoken words are no guarantee.
English: Word is bond
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Hello, lovers of language and wisdom!  Welcome back to your daily dose of proverbs. Today's proverb is "Mtoto akilia wembe, mpe" -- literally, "If a child cries for a razor blade, give it to them." To many parents that might sound, well… pretty harsh, right? But if you speak Swahili, you’ve probably heard this proverb. Do you agree with it? What does it mean to you? Share your thoughts.

If I hear I will forget, if I see I will remember, if I do I will understand.
-Teacher Amos

If a child wants a razor, then give it to him so that he understands why he was warned against playing with it.  This proverb illustrated the importance of giving people opportunities to learn from their own experience, even if they might get (slightly) hurt. Also, even if you refuse to give it to him, he might disobey you and play with it while you are away. This proverb can also be used as a warning to someone who ignores advice and insists on his own way.  While it is important to listen to advice and warnings from others, sometimes we need to see the consequences of our own actions to understand.

Natural Consequences

In the area of ​​parenting, this proverb teaches the principle of Natural Consequences.  A natural consequence is the result that naturally follows because of a person's behavior.  Unlike corporal punishment, penalties or demerits, natural consequences occur without the intervention of the parent or guardian.  For example, imagine if your son forgot his notebook at home.  What would you do? Some parents answer "I wouldn't do anything; he’ll have to explain to his teacher."  Others say "I would run to school to bring him the notebook, and then in the evening I would discipline him."  Which one is better?  Answer below...

Question for parents: If a child cries for a snake, will you give it to him?

 
OK, so we’ve agreed, if a child cries for a razor, we should give it to him.  But… imagine if the child is begging for something more dangerous– Would you agree? Jesus asked parents: "If your child asks for a fish, will you give him a snake?" What if the child asks for a  poisonous snake? Will you give it to them? 

A snake has real risks.
-Teacher Shila   

A razor can give them a small wound, but it is not as dangerous as a poisonous snake. What if they ask to quit their studies to play mobile games all day?  What if they ask to marry someone you don't trust at a young age? There are also important decisions that children are not ready to make for themselves. How do you, as a parent, decide or recognize when you should save and protect your child from regret, and when you should let the world teach them? Parents, tell us your opinion!

Apply this proverb in your life

Education: People remember what they experience and do, rather than what they are told.  Find opportunities to apply what you learn.
Parenting: Give the child freedom and opportunities to learn through experience.  Don't solve everything for him, and don't be afraid when he fails, if there is no danger or long-term effects, because failure is an opportunity for them to learn.
Listening: If you ignore warnings and advice, don't be surprised to see the predicted consequences occur.
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Details Image created using AI.
Sources
Velten, C. (1903). Sitten und Gebräuche der Suaheli, nebst einem Anhang über Rechtsgewohnheiten der Suaheli. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. - Page 349
Bible: Mathew 7:10, Luke 11:11

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“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” means that we should try to make the best out of difficult situations. Lemons are sour and bitter on their own, but by adding sugar and water turns sour lemons into a sweet refreshing drink. When life presents difficulties and challenges (lemons), we can be creative, resilient and flexible to transform these challenges into opportunities (lemonade).

Do you have a story about a time you turned a challenge into an opportunity? Do you know any other sayings that relate to the same principle? Comment below!
Here are some similar sayings from other cultures: 

The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.

 اِصْنَعْ شَرَابًا حَلُّوا مِنْ حَامِض لَيْمُون الْحَيَاةِ.
Make a sweet drink from the acid of the lemon of life. 
-Arabic Proverb

जब भी जीवन में मुश्किलें आएँ तो उनका भी लाभ उठाएँ

When difficulties come into life, take advantage of them too. 
-Hindi proverb

(Source: Thanks to Wiktionary
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Details This picture was created using AI. What do you think? What picture do you think would best illustrate this proverb?
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Known as "the Law of Holes," this saying means that a person who is in a bad situation should stop making it worse. It is often used to talk about a situation that the person created themselves.

For example, if you are in a bad relationship, in debt, or have an addiction, you can't fix the problem with more of the same.

Often attributed to Will Rogers, Bill Brock or Denis Healy, a version of the adage appears in several earlier sources:

[A] wise man, seeing that he was in a hole [would not] go to work and blindly dig it deeper. (1911)

There are greater possibilities today than ever before, but the man who has dug a hole and refuses to get out of it, can expect only to dig himself into deeper darkness the longer he digs The answer to "Hard Times" is "if you are in a hole stop digging -- raise your head -- open your eyes -- think -- study -- climb. It's easy to climb and hard to dig, and the more climbing you do, the quicker you will find yourself in the land of greater profit and happiness. (1920)

Have you ever made a challenge worse by repeating the same mistake that got you into the situation?

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Updated 4mo ago
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This Russian Proverb was quoted by Pushkin in the novel "The Daughter of the Commandant":
My parents gave me their blessing, and my father said to me—
  "Good-bye, Petr'; serve faithfully he to whom you have sworn fidelity; obey your superiors; do not seek for favours; do not struggle after active service, but do not refuse it either, and remember the
proverb, 'Take care of your coat while it is new, and of your honour while it is young.'"
  My mother tearfully begged me not to neglect my health.
...
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Today's proverb means that people who are excessively proud are likely to fail. Success can make us overconfident, causing mistakes. Pride and ego can also blind us to our limitations and prevent us from seeing reality clearly.

On the other hand, in the modern world, many people see confidence and self-esteem as positive virtues. What is the difference between healthy and unhealthy pride? Share your thoughts below!

This proverb is often associated with the story of Icarus, from Greek mythology. (Spoiler alert for those who haven't check out our new picture book, "Don't Fly Too Close to the Sun"). Icarus was given wings made of feathers and wax by his father, Daedalus. He was warned not to fly too close to the sun, but Icarus ignored his father’s advice, proudly flying higher and higher. The sun melted the wax, and Icarus fell into the sea and drowned.

Just before the Titanic's maiden voyage the company's leader, Phillip Franklin, wrote:
There is no danger that Titanic will sink. The boat is unsinkable...
Because of the company's excessive confidence, the Titanic did not carry enough lifeboats for all the passengers. The Titanic sank in 1912, killing over 1500 people.

In literature, many tragic heroes are brought down by pride. For example, in Shakespeare's King Lear, the king's pride makes him vulnerable to flattery, and his poor judgement costs him everything he has. Julius Caesar's pride made him insist on going to the Senate on the Ides of March, ignoring many warnings that he would be murdered. Similarly, Oedipus is too proud to listen when others warn him not to seek to know the truth about his parents.

Today's proverb comes from the book of Proverbs in the Bible
Pride goeth before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18, King James Version (1611)

The Quran also contains numerous warnings against pride, like:
ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا 
God does not like arrogant, boastful people
Surah An-Nisa - 36

Here are a few other proverbs that relate to the same principle:
French:
Qui fait le malin tombe dans le ravin
He who gets cute falls into the ravine
Russian:
Сатана гордился, с неба свалился; фараон гордился, в море утопился; а мы гордимся - куда годимся?
Satan was proud and fell from heaven; the pharaoh was proud and sank in the sea; and when we are proud, what are we worth?
English:
The bigger they come, the harder they fall.
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Details Image from the painting by Caspar David Friedrich, 1817, "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog / Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer"
Sources
Quran (Surat An-Nisa 36)
English and Russian proverbs (Wiktionary)
French Proverb (Wiktionary)
Titanic: (BBC)

Related Books on Maktaba.org:
Don't Fly Too Close to the Sun
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Oedipus by Sophocles
Holy Bible, King James Version
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Today's proverb comes from the Ancient Greek myth of Icarus... and we wrote a short picture book about the story!

Download now:

Don't Fly Too Close to the Sun


"Don't fly too close to the sun" is a warning against hubris (excessive pride). The proverb teaches us that pride and ambition should be balanced with caution, humility and good advice.

For example, imagine a young entrepreneur. She launches her first product and has immediate success. Encouraged, she starts making more and more ambitious plans. She decides to take out a large loan from the bank in order to launch more products and buy property. But the sales growth she was expecting does not materialize, and she finds herself falling behind on the loan payments. In the end, the business sinks deeper and deeper into debt and can't recover. If she had steered a "middle path," building on her success with small, moderate steps, and listening to her mentors, things might have ended differently.

We can apply this proverb in our daily lives by knowing our limits, practicing moderation, seeking out wise advice, and listening the warnings from others.

Have you ever flown too close the the sun? Share your story. And please tell us what you think of the book, Don't Fly Too Close to the Sun!
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People will notice potential through your behavior and abilities, but also through your clothes. If you aspire to be a manager, wear professional clothes so that co-workers can more easily visualize your potential. If you aspire to be an artist, dress like an artist.

Contrary to what people often think, this expression does not encourage conformity, but rather, it encourages people to live their life as they envision it in the future.
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“You have to dress for the job you want, not the job you have, and you have to start doing the work you want to be doing.”

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This Swahili proverb means that a person cannot avoid their destiny or fate. 
Siku ya kufa nyani miti yote huteleza
On the day of the monkey’s death, all the trees are slippery

Usage


In Swahili, this proverb is often used in times of war, or to refer to a powerful leader whose time has come to fall, like  Macbeth. See also: What goes around comes around

Application


Even if you spend a lot of time worrying or trying to avoid problems, they may still happen. Sometimes trying to avoid a problem can even cause it to happen or make it worse (like Oedipus). The monkey might choose a different branch to avoid slipping, but that branch might be just as slippery.

In Greek mythology, the fates were personified as three sisters: Clotho who weaves the thread (birth), Lachesis who draws out the thread (giving each person their alloted blessings and challenges in 
life), and Atropos who cuts the thread (death). 

This proverb encourages us to accept our limits and acknowledge that many important aspects of our life are outside of our control. 

Related sayings:


Swahili:
Ulichojaliwa hakipunguziki wala hawawezi kukuongezea
What has been destined for you cannot be reduced, nor can they increase it for you

Siku za mwizi ni arobaini
The days of a thief are forty (numbered)

Latin (Stoic)
Amor fati
Love [your] fate

Chinese (from Analects)
生死有命,富貴在天
Life and death are fated, riches and honour [come from] heaven. 
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Don't count your chickens before they hatch means that you shouldn't depend on a favorable outcome until it is certain. You shouldn't assume that all your eggs will hatch into healthy chicks and grow into chickens. Do you have a story about this proverb? Share below!

The first written record of this common English proverb is a sonnet written in 1570 by Thomas Howell:
Count not thy Chickens that unhatched be,
Weigh words as wind, till thou find certainty 

Many languages have proverbs that convey a similar principle.

Swahili:
Tujivune hatimaye
Let's praise ourselves at the end.

French:
Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tué.
Don't sell the skin of the bear before killing it.

Arabic:
لا تشتري السمك وهو في البحر بل انتظر حتى يصطاد
Do not buy a fish while it is in the sea; wait until it is caught.

German:
Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben.
Don't praise the day before the evening.

Latin
Ante victoriam ne canas triumphum
Don't sing triumphs before the victory.

Portuguese:
Não conte com o ovo dentro da galinha.
Don't count on the egg inside the chicken.
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Details This picture was created using AI. What do you think? What picture do you think would best illustrate this proverb?
Sources
 Citation: Wiktionary
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A big job becomes less burdensome when shared with many others through teamwork and cooperation.

Interestingly, this proverb contrasts with another English proverb "Too many cooks spoil the broth." As my dad pointed out, "It's 'many hands make light work'... not 'many hands make right work!'"

While the origins of the proverb are unclear, it appears in John Heywood's collection of English Proverbs (1546), where he attributes it to the didactic poem How the Good Wife Taught her Daughter (late 1300s), a didactic poem that reminds me of Utendi wa Mwana Kupona.  

Similar proverbs:

Kiswahili
Mikono mingi kazi haba
Many hands, small work

Chinese:
人多好辦事
Many people, fine work

Russian: 
берись дружно, не будет грузно
Take hold of it together, it won't be heavy




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When a project is successful, people want to be associated with it and claim credit, even if their contribution was small. But when things go wrong, people tend to point fingers and downplay their involvement.

For example, suppose you take money from investors to start a business. If the business makes a lot of money, your investors might try to claim your success as their own, calling it "our business", and you will find it easy to raise money from many more investors. But if the business is a failure, your investors will probably call it "your business" and ask you to return their money.

You can often tell who is the real leader of a business, organization or group by observing who takes responsibility when things go poorly. A great leader shares the credit with others when the group has success, and takes the blame when the group fails.

This proverb is often incorrectly attributed to John F. Kennedy, who used it at a press conference after the Bay of Pigs. In fact, it seems to originate from the ancient Roman Historian, Tacitus, in his biography of Agricola, explaining the challenges that the Roman army faced in conquering Britain.
The credit of success is claimed by all, while a disaster is attributed to one alone.
- Tacitus, in Agricola

Do you have an example of this proverb? Share it!
...
Sources
John F. Kennedy - Transcript of Press Conference, April 21, 1961
JFK never claimed to be the originator of this proverb and preceded it with "There's an old saying..."
He did popularize the phrase, as you can see from this Ngram chart from Google books, which shows the explosion in usage of the phrase after 1961.

Tacitus

Daily Stoic (from email archives):
It is precisely when things are good that we should be considering the possibility that someday they might not be so good. We should be acquiring allies. We should be doing favors and good for other people—because someday, we’ll need them to do the same for us. 

Portions of the Image were made using AI, CC BY
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Once upon a time, there was a young man in search of his talent. One day, he was advised by his grandfather, "Everyone has a talent, seek yours." Therefore, he began his journey to find it.

On the road, he met his peers playing football. They welcomed him and he started playing with them. "Perhaps this is my talent!" he thought to himself hopefully. However, when the ball came near him, the young man was afraid and said, "I don't know how to kick the ball!" The others chased him away, laughing at him.

In the streets, he encountered a street vendor. "Maybe this is my talent." he thought. The vendor welcomed him and instructed, "Greet this customer." But when the customer approached him, the young man was afraid, "I don't know how to greet a customer!" he said. The vendor became angry, and the young man was chased away again.

As he continued to walk, he thought, "I regret leaving home today, I don't have any talent." When he reached the shore, he met a fisherman. The fisherman welcomed him and he boarded the boat. The fisherman gave him a rope and said, "Tie this." "I don't know how to tie a knot!" the young man said quickly. The fisherman answered, "If you don't know how to tie a knot, tie a lot."

After that day, the young man learned a lot from the fisherman, and he tied thousands of knots. Eventually, he became a skilled fisherman respected by the community.

Your talent is not only in your nature, but is formed by the effort you put forth. Accept to be taught by others, and do not fear trying new things. The first knot you tie might not be perfect. But the more ropes you tie, the more you will learn better techniques and strategies.

Those who say "I can't" deny themselves the opportunity to learn. If you don't know how to do something, learn by doing and practicing. If you don't know how to kick a ball, kick many balls. If you don't know how to greet customers, greet many. If you don't know how to tie a knot, tie a lot.
...
Sources
Thank you to Jan M in Connecticut, USA for suggesting this proverb to us!
Story: CC BY (Originally written in Swahili)
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Today's proverb "Haraka haraka haina baraka" literally translates to "Hurry hurry has no blessing"... but that doesn't rhyme, so we decided to go with "Haste makes waste." Which translation do you like better?  Have you ever rushed through something and regretted it later? Comment below... 

I see two possible interpretations of this proverb (in Swahili):
  1. Patience: Hurry causes us to make mistakes, and those mistakes cause us to miss out on potential blessings.
  2. Mindfulness: When we're in a hurry, we don't have time to notice or enjoy the blessings we have.  
What do you think? What's your interpretation?

Similar saying are common around the world:
Spanish: 
No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano
(Waking up early doesn't make the sun rise any sooner)
Chinese: 
欲速则不达
(Haste makes waste)
From the Sayings of Confucius (Analects, 13:17, page 92)
When Tsz-hiá became governor of Kü-fu, and consulted him about government, he answered, "Do not wish for speedy results. Do not look at trivial advantages. If you wish for speedy results, they will not be far-reaching; and if you regard trivial advantages you will not successfully deal with important affairs."
French: 
Tout vient a point a qui sait attendre
(Everything comes to those who wait)
Kiswahili: 
Pole pole ndio mwendo
(Slow slow is the way to go)

In the book "More Swahili Proverbs from East Africa" Kalugila and Lodhi use this proverb as a good example of traditional Swahili poetic meter and rhyme scheme. (See sources)
Haraka haraka haina baraka
aaba, 3+3/3+3 
 Say it out loud a couple times... it's pretty fun to say. (Note: it's pronounced "hah-ee-na" like the animal.) 

I asked AI how I could apply Haraka haraka haina baraka in my daily life. Here's some of the advice I got: (edited)
  1. Planning: Before you undertake any task, take the time to plan. Break down large tasks into smaller manageable steps, and give yourself enough time to complete each step well.
  2. Decision Making: Avoid making quick, impulsive decisions, especially on important matters. List all of your options, weigh the pros and cons, seek advice, and then make an informed choice.
  3. Learning: Instead of trying to rush through a book, class or homework exercise, go slowly, ask questions, and reread until you fully understand the material. This way you will truly learn and remember the information, rather than forgetting it quickly. You'll also enjoy learning a lot more!
  4. Relationships: Building strong relationships takes time. Whether it's with friends, family, or romantic partners, don't rush. Invest time in getting to know the person, understanding them, and building a strong foundation.
  5. Work: Try to prioritize quality over speed, and take breaks to avoid burnout. Avoid rushing through your tasks just to get them over with. This not only results in higher quality work but also helps you learn and grow in your role.
  6. Health: Don't look for quick fixes or shortcuts when it comes to your health. Regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep are all essential, and they require time and commitment.
  7. Self-Improvement: Personal growth and development is a gradual process. Don’t rush it. Set achievable goals, work towards them step by step, and appreciate the small victories along the way.
  8. Mindfulness: Pay attention to where you are and what you are doing. When eating, savor each bite.  When walking, notice the sensation of each step. When speaking with someone, give them your full attention. "Haraka haraka haina baraka," teaches us to value the journey, not just the destination. 

Pretty solid advice, I'd say... Look forward to reading your comments :)

Related books on Maktaba:
Interpersonal Communication - A Mindful Approach to Relationships
Analects of Confucius (English Translation)
Methali za Kiswahili - Swahili Proverbs ukurasa wa 202
More Swahili Proverbs from East Africa: Methali zaidi za kiswahili toka Afrika Mashariki by Leonidas Kalugila and Abdulaziz Y. Lodhi, Page 85
...
Sources
Haraka haraka haina baraka
Swahili proverb on Wiktionary - "Haraka haraka haina baraka"
Swahili Proverbs about Hurry and Patience collected by Albert Scheven, Center for African Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Google translate shows "Haste makes waste" translates to "Haraka haraka haina baraka" and this translation was "reviewed by contributors." However, notice if you reverse them (back translate to English) on Google translate, it changes to "Haste has no blessing." Hm...

More Swahili Proverbs from East Africa: Methali zaidi za kiswahili toka Afrika Mashariki by Leonidas Kalugila and Abdulaziz Y. Lodhi, Page 85:
Historically, proverbs seem to have preceded poetry, and Swahili poets have had access to the abundance of proverbs treasured by the bearers of the oral tradition. Early proverbs were most certainly formed in a poetic fashion that gradually became more refined and established generally accepted prosodic forms. The most common Swahili proverbs, and which are rather short, have 6, 8, 12 or 16 syllables (mizani), and many of them appear in poems and songs as lines (mistari), hemistichs or half-lines (vipande), or as refrains (mikarara). There are many examples of a p0em which starts with a proverb and is in fact an elaboration of it. In the following examples from different poems, we find the 3+3 rhyOhm i.e. 6 syllables with a medial caesurae (kituo) having a penultimate stress: 
Akili ni mali. -  Intelligence is an asset.
Mahaba ni haba. - Love is worth little.
Mapenzi majonzi. - Love brings melancholy.
The caesurae in a proverb causing the 2, 3 or 4 hemistichs is a rhythmic break equivalent to a caesurae in a well-balanced poem, and the various resulting rhymes can be described as follows:
Haraka haraka, haina baraka. (aaba, 3+3/3+3) Hurry, hurry, has no blessings / Haste makes waste.
(Kwa) haba na haba, hujaza kibaba. (aaba, 3+3/3+3) Little by little fills up the measure.


Proverbs in other languages:
Chinese proverb (Wiktionary)
Spanish proverb (Wiktionary)
French proverb (le dictionnaire Orthodidacte)
"The French Seen through Their Proverbs and Proverbial Expressions" by Henri F. Muller (1943) (JSTOR - paywall)
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