Proverbs

In his book “The Soul Would Have No Rainbow If The Eyes Had No Tears” Guy A. Zona writes that, “Proverbs often serve as a means of instruction in the rules of conduct and ethical behavior expected by all members of a society; what makes them an effective tool is that they are based on a keen observation of human nature and behavior rather than an idealized and unrealistic standard.”

While on a recent long weekend in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we stopped in the rather ordinary “Visitor’s Center Bookshop” only to discover this – in our opinion – rather extraordinary collection of Native American Proverbs. Several hit a particular resonance with us. Happy Sunday to you on Mother’s Day 2011.

Talk to your children while they are eating; what you say will stay even after you are gone – (Nez Perce)

The more you ask how far you have to go, the longer your journey seems – (Seneca)

Everything the Power does, it does in a circle – (Lakota)

Those who have one foot in the canoe and one foot in the boat are going to fall into the river – (Tuscarora)

Even when we lay down, we lay down on our own path of life – (Pawnee)

It is less of a problem to be poor than to be dishonest – (Anishinabe)

A rocky vineyard does not need a prayer but a pickax – (Navajo)

You already possess everything necessary to become great – (Crow)