Literacy International - Wise Words In Our World - Proverbs and Wisdom Across Countries

Jul 17, 2026

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Literacy International’s “Wise Words In Our World” presents proverbs as portable wisdom meant to shape thoughts and guide daily decisions. The collection pairs humor and reflection by sharing sayings from many countries and cultures, then connecting them to Biblical teaching through Solomon and the Book of Proverbs. Key themes include controlling feelings, making good choices, guarding the heart, understanding hard words, thinking things through, and living good lives.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

Introduction to Wise Words

Proverbs from Many Countries (Humor and Reflection)

Solomon and the Book of Proverbs

Walking Through the Two Gates: Trust and Guard the Heart

Key Themes and Life Guidance

Literacy International: Wise Words In Our World Copyright © 2018 Literacy International [info@LiteracyInternational.net](info@LiteracyInternational.net) English Spiritual Literacy International: Wise Words In Our World Copyright © 2018 Literacy International [info@LiteracyInternational.net](info@LiteracyInternational.net) English Copyright © 2018, Literacy International [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) You are free to make commercial use of this work. You may adapt and add to this work, but you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. Words have the power to shape us become a part of us. Wise words become part of the mind. They bring large thoughts into small spaces. Proverbs are wise words. Some proverbs agree with each other and some don’t. God’s Holy Spirit can show which ones to follow. Here are some funny ones. They come from many countries and they will probably make you laugh. China: "A rumor goes in one ear and out many mouths. " (The rumor mayor may not be true but many people talk about it.) France: "A lie travels around the world while truth is putting her boots on. " Spain: "When your mouth is closed, flies will not get in. "(Do not talk unless you can make silences better.) (Maybe we all need more silence. ) Ireland: "It is better to keep your mouth closed. Then people may just think you are a fool. If you open it, you will take away all doubt!" Brazil: "A timely ‘No’ beats a hasty ‘Yes’. " Liberia, West Africa:"The big-headed (proud) child will hit a rock. "(Like the old English words: Pride goes before a fall.) Jesus said: "Love your neighbor as yourself. " A Yiddish proverb added:" ...even if he plays the trombone. " (a loud horn)(We can guess that some people in Eastern Europe did not sleep well at night.) Cameroon, West Africa: "A chattering bird does not build any nest. " Some other proverbs may not make you laugh, but they will help you see life in new ways. Thailand:"When elephants fight, the grass is crushed. "(When people fight, they make others suffer.) Arab world: "Do good and throw it in the sea. " (If you can do something good, be glad but don’t hold on to it. Let it go.) Nigeria, West Africa: "Not to know something is bad. Not to wish to know it is worse. " From Russia, the same idea: "There’s no shame in not knowing. The shame lies in not finding out. " Again: If you do not go anywhere, you won’t learn about others. Albania: "Fear God and you will not fear men. " Bosnia: "A brave man is seldom wounded in the back. " Bulgaria: "God promises a safe landing but not a safe passage. " Yiddish: "Love is kind; jealousy sees too much. " Italy: "Never marry a woman just because she is rich. You will never be happy. " Sweden: "A man who seeks a perfect friend will remain friendless. " Belgium: "He who sieves (strains too much and looks too carefully at someone) ends up with his trash. " Pacific Ocean, Tahiti: "The life of the land is the life of the people. " Fiji: "Learn from the wisdom of the toothless ones. "(those old enough to have lost all their teeth) USA: "A stitch in time saves nine. " (Watch your clothes. Sew up any holes; deal with any problems before they get big.) New England: "Let well enough alone. " If it works, don’t fix it. Japan: "Fall seven times; stand up eight. " Solomon in the Bible, had been a rich and powerful king for many years. He wanted to share some things about life. He wrote most of our book of Proverbs. It isabout 3,000 years old. He wrote about: Controlling our feelings, Making good choices, Understanding hard words, Thinking things through, and Living good lives. He would agree with an Italian proverb: If you can’t live long, live deep. The book of Proverbs, in the Bible, is a beautiful garden. Let’s walk th

FAQs

What is the purpose of “Wise Words In Our World”?

It highlights how proverbs can shape thinking and become part of daily life. It also connects wisdom sayings to spiritual guidance.

Why does the document include humorous proverbs from different countries?

It uses humor to engage readers while still delivering life lessons. The sayings come from many cultures and are meant to make people laugh and reflect.

What themes does the text say Solomon wrote about in the Book of Proverbs?

It covers controlling feelings, making good choices, understanding hard words, thinking things through, and living good lives.

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Oliver