80 Wise Proverbs to learn about life

Around the world proverbs have been a fundamental aspect of every culture. With them, a reflection or a life lesson is transmitted, with the intention that youth be careful with their thoughts and behavior.

If we were to make an extensive list with all the proverbs ever and ever, we would not finish. There is everything: love, wisdom, respect for the family, appreciation of old age... All of them enriching for our lives.

Then we will discover 80 wise commented proverbs from around the world, whose reflections will not leave us indifferent.

• Related article: "90 very popular short sayings (and their meaning)"

The 80 best Wise Proverbs to reflect and learn

Next we are going to discover neither more nor less than 80 wise proverbs, from all over the world and loaded with meaning. All of them touch on topics as diverse as wisdom, love, the roots of each one...

1. Everyone complains about lack of money, but about lack of intelligence, nobody

This proverb makes us a very strong criticism of how people, traditionally, have been more interested in economic wealth than in intellectual wealth. Who is rich but does not know how to manage his assets well is, of course, much poorer than the intelligent one who, with very little, knows what to do with it.

2. Who does not have children, educates them better.

Parents with love and knowledge try to educate their children in the best way but, on many occasions, this is difficult. The situation overwhelms them and they cannot apply the best teaching to their children because they are very burned out. On the other hand, from the outside and being calm, a person without children can know what to do in the face of a tantrum or anger from children, since they will be able to think more coldly, logically and rationally.

3. Better to die of laughter than of fear.

It is much preferable to die surrounded by happiness and accompanied by good people than to die of fear and suffering.

4. Experience is the name people give to their mistakes.

No one is born knowing everything. It is necessary that, to be wise people, we dare to explore. Trial and error is the most classic learning technique in human beings (and in the not so human as well). Only by daring to make mistakes and learn from them can we achieve a true experience.

5. Gray hair is a sign of old age, not wisdom.

It is true that older people have lived a long time, but this does not mean that they know more. Old age is proof that time has passed, not that we have learned more things. Things are learned through experience and acquiring new knowledge, something that will not come to us, but we must go to it.

6. There is a path that seems right to man, but in the end, it is the path of death.

The easiest path can also be the most insecure path with the greatest personal risk. Great results are achieved with great efforts, and on many occasions the most difficult paths are the ones that offer us the best results.

7. Keeping silent is more complicated than speaking well.

Being respectful and not speaking ill of other people is difficult. We have a hard time containing ourselves and sometimes we can't help but rant about a loved one, a friend, a neighbor...

Keeping quiet is healthy for us and for others, since we avoid breaking up relationships, but watch out! keeping things quiet is not always good and, therefore, we must know how to choose well when is the time and the right words to give our opinion.

8. The world will disappear not because there are too many humans, but because there are too many inhumans.

Good people try to make the world a better place, while bad people harm it.. The world will go to hell not because there are too many people, but because a few do not know how to share, manage resources well and each tries to satisfy their selfish needs.

• You may be interested: "12 Examples of Morals and Ethics for everyday life"

9. God help me to get up, I can fall by myself.

It costs us very little to make mistakes, but getting the strength to get up and keep going is something else. Life is ups and downs and, when we are in the valleys, we see things as much more difficult than they are.

10. If life doesn't change for the better, wait… it will change for the worse.

If life doesn't follow a good course, sooner or later something will go wrong and things will get worse. The message here is not that we should not do anything because things are going to go wrong anyway, but that we should try to prevent it and not sit by and watch life go by.

11. As sweet as love is, it will not feed you.

We all want to love and be loved. Love is a wonderful feeling but it is still just that, a feeling. We cannot let our love for others be a priority in our lives because it will not feed us, nor will it make us get a good job or achieve our life goals. Thinking of others is fine, but it is more important to get our lives moving forward.

12. When there is nothing to do, the greatest projects are started.

You must never despair. Many great things have been achieved when all options had been exhausted. Sometimes a miracle can arise that solves everything or offers us a new way of doing things. The most important thing is not to give up.

13. Choosing between evils, the pessimist chooses both.

Many things can go wrong in life. If we always see things badly, we are not going to settle for one of those evils, but we will be in the worst possible scenario and we are going to imagine that everything, absolutely everything, can go wrong.

14. If charity cost nothing, we would all be philanthropists.

Charity always costs something, since it implies, to a greater or lesser extent, a sacrifice. Whether it's giving money, goods or investing time, charity involves offering something of our own to others who need it most. Because of this, charity is not free and because of this not everyone is. If it cost nothing, everyone would try to make the world a better place.

15. Parents teach children to speak, and children teach parents to be silent.

We should always be grateful to our parents because It has been thanks to their efforts that they have ensured that we have what we haveboth materially and intellectually and personally. We have been taught to speak so that we can express ourselves, give our opinions and ask. Many, unfortunately, tell their parents to shut up because they are not interested in knowing what they say in an act of terrible selfishness.

16. From a distance all people are good.

As we get to know someone more closely, we see their virtues and, of course, their defects.

17. Both a guest and a fish begin to smell bad after three days.

We must know how to put time limits on our visits. If we let someone spend too much time with us, whether in our home or in our social circles, sooner or later they will start to gross us out. Putting distance, on many occasions, is the best thing for a friendship.

18. Knowledge does not take up much space.

Learning never hurts. The more we know, the better. No matter how many years we have or how many careers we have achieved, we must never stop learning, being curious about the world around us and expanding our knowledge.

19. The human being must live, even if it is out of curiosity.

Our lives can be very sad or boring, but it is not an excuse to stop living them. Something will always happen that arouses our interest and motivation, something that, perhaps, is a 180º turn and completely changes our lives.

20. The deaf heard how the mute said that the blind man saw how a lame man ran faster than a train.

The meaning of this proverb is clearly very instructive. comes to say that we cannot trust the word of someone who does not know or has no ability of what he is talking about.

Just as the deaf cannot hear or the blind cannot see, we cannot trust someone's opinion. who, without knowing the basis, has heard the opinion of another person who did not know what he was speaking.

21. God protects the poor at least from expensive sins.

The less you have, the fewer luxuries you consume, and among those luxuries there is always some sinful vice or something that stirs consciences. As far as it goes, people who have less can be protected from addictions in which a lot of money is invested.

22. If a problem can be solved with money, it is not a problem, it is an expense.

This proverb is very easy to understand. Who has money practically has life resolved. Any problem that may arise will make it disappear by putting money, something that will not require much effort.

23. God gave the human being two ears and one mouth so that he would listen more and speak less.

We must listen to everything they have to say before giving our opinion. We cannot give an opinion without knowing all the details of the specific situation, otherwise we run the risk of getting a false impression.

24. Don't be sweet, or they'll eat you. Don't be bitter, or they'll spit on you.

We must be kind to people, but do not let them take advantage of us. Nor should we be unpleasant with others, no matter how afraid we are that they may take advantage of it. Everything has its moderation: we must be kind but know when to set limits and defend ourselves from injustice.

• You may be interested: "Assertiveness: 5 basic habits to improve communication"

25. Do not approach a goat from the front, a horse from behind and a fool from anywhere.

We must be careful who we approach. If we approach a goat from the front, it will charge us and hurt us. If you approach a horse from behind, it will kick you and hurt you. If we approach an ignorant person, who does not know what he does or says, sooner or later we will receive some damage. Foolish people should be avoided at all costs.

26. Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs.

Birds sing not only to call their potential breeding partner, but also because they can enjoy their beautiful melodies. The same happens with someone who has an opportunity or an ability: he uses it because he can. If we can play the piano, play soccer, kiss our partner or dance, we will take advantage of it and do it, as simple as that.

27. With time and patience, the mulberry leaf turns into silk.

Patience is what will make great projects come to light. We cannot expect quick answers and results that are of quality. Everything good is made to wait, starting with the most chaotic and simple to end up in a complete project, whatever it may be.

28. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

To get a project going, it is necessary to take a simple step, the first. To reach the end of the goal that we have set for ourselves, it is essential to have overcome the beginning of the path.

29. Fast is slow, but without pauses.

We all want good things to end up happening, such as our most desired projects, but there must be perseverance and dedication. We cannot do things in the end and in a hurry, since that way we are not going to have good results. It is preferable to dedicate a little each day, dedicating your time and care, rather than pretend to get divine inspiration and finish a project or goal in one go.

30. He who does not travel does not know the value of men.

We have all been raised in a culture that has shaped our way of seeing the world and people. Traveling and getting to know the visions of other parts of the world allows us to better understand what human beings are like, without having the bias that our culture has given us.

31. As you walk the path of life, you will see a great abyss. Jump. It's not as wide as you think.

Our life is a journey and there are few moments when it will be a bed of roses. Sooner or later we will find ourselves with a difficulty that we will have to face if we want to continue on our way. A little risk and exploration is necessary to be able to move forward and achieve what we set out to do.

32. Water that you should not drink, let it run.

What we do not need we should not strive to get. If it is not something that will benefit us or that can help us to be happier or better people, why fight for it?

33. The tears shed are bitter, but more bitter are those that are not shed.

Sadness is a very human emotion, unpleasant but necessary. It is true that it hurts us, but it will hurt us more not to share with someone why we feel this way. By releasing this emotion we avoid feeling worse later.

34. When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world weeps and you rejoice.

When we are born, we all cry. We seem to come into the world with fear and sadness. Throughout life we ​​will live all kinds of experiences, but the most important thing is that, as a whole, our life has been happy and full. If so, when we reach our deathbed we will see that we have had a great life and that we leave happy, in the company of those who have loved us and who will miss us.

35. Where the water rules, the land must obey.

Water is the origin of life. The earth, no matter how barren it may have been, the moment a few drops fall on it, it can become a veritable orchard. This water represents the knowledge of the older people, who "water" the little ones as if they were pots where they will house the seed of knowledge.

36. It never rained that didn't clear up.

Life has moments when we feel sad and hopeless. We may have lost a loved one or our partner has broken up with us. They are unpleasant situations but they are part of life and, sooner or later, discouragement will pass and happy times will come. After the storm always comes calm.

• You may be interested: "What is emotional intelligence?"

37. They will see the nopal only when it has prickly pears.

Prickly pears are the sweet fruits of the nopal, a type of cactus. Cacti prick, just like toxic or unpleasant people. When these people have good news or something to offer others, they are suddenly more popular and the center of attention, a fame that will not last very long.

38. Everyone loves the tree that gives them shelter.

Each one seeks security and understanding in the person they think is most convenient, whether or not they are really a good support. There are those who look for it in the family, others in friends and others in some bad companies that, despite giving them shelter, also get them into trouble.

39. When the shepherd returns home in peace, the milk is sweet.

When we are satisfied with what we have done and have no regrets or unfinished business, we live life with greater happiness and peace of mind.

40. Even monkeys fall from trees.

This proverb has a very important message, and that is that even the most knowledgeable people can make mistakes. To err is human, something that even the most expert and versed in a certain subject do. We should never reproach someone who has made a mistake as if he were incompetent in what he does, since we all have a bad day.

41. No matter how beautiful and well made the coffin is, it will not make people wish for death.

We may have lived a life full of gifts and benefits, in which we did not lack or regret anything. However, we all want to live a little longer, especially if our life is not one of continuous torment. As beautiful as the end of our lives is, we will never want it to come.

42. He who runs looking for money, moves away from peace.

Money is necessary in our lives, but it should not be what obsesses us either. Love, family, our hobbies and, ultimately, what makes us happy are aspects that we should not neglect, no matter how much we need money. If we focus solely and exclusively on money, increasingly desperate to get it, we will not be able to be calm or happy.

43. If you raise one end of the club, you also raise the other.

The more radical we become with respect to our opinions, it is to be expected that our "adversaries" will too. We went from seeing the world in shades to seeing it in black and white, something dangerous since we “kill” the healthy exercise of relativizing what we say and think, essential to relate prosocially with the rest.

44. The little bird doesn't sing until it hears the big ones.

This wise African proverb goes on to say that children learn from their elders, both in terms of knowledge and opinions. A child is like a tabula rasa: he does not know how to speak, he does not know how the world is going, nor does he know how to give his opinion. It is by being in contact with his environment that he learns how his surroundings work, in addition to drawing his own conclusions, biased by what their reference adults have instilled in them.

45. It takes a village to raise a child.

This proverb is traditional in Africa, and it is not surprising since education there, especially in the villages, is a matter for the entire community. It is not only parents who take care of their children, but also older children, neighbors, other relatives and other members of the village offer a little of their knowledge so that the child adapts to the world that has touched him to live.

46. To our children, we want to leave two things: the first is roots, the second is wings.

All parents want their children to remember where they grew up, not to forget how much they owe their parents and other local adults. But, in addition to this, all parents want their children to be free, to be able to prosper in life without having to turn to their parents once they are adults.

47. A kind word can warm up three winter months.

As sad, lonely and hopeless as we are, having good friends, supportive family or people to who cares about us we can find some warmth inside the freezing winter that can turn into a bad epoch. Gestures as simple as a kind word, a hug or a gesture of empathy can help us overcome adversity.

48. Think what you want to think, but don't forget that you have to live with your own thoughts every day.

Everyone is free to think what they want, but they are not free to get rid of their thoughts.. He can't help but let those words, positive or negative, resonate like an echo deep in the cave of his mind. We must think carefully about what we think, to relativize it and avoid being trapped in rancor or bad memories.

49. He who is unable to dance says that the floor is stony.

Those who do not know and do not want to try to improve will say that the situation they have had to live through is difficult. It is true that there may be things that we cannot control, but of course the willpower, the desire to try it and the interest in improving are aspects that come from us.

50. Whoever sows his corn, let him eat his pinole.

This Mexican proverb has the same meaning as "each one reaps what he sows". What we say and do will have consequences, positive or negative, but always proportional. That is why you have to watch what you do.

51. Don't talk too much, if you don't want to err.

Whoever talks a lot sooner or later will talk about something that he has no idea about and, therefore, will make mistakes. That is why it is better to speak what is fair, about what we do know and, thus, avoid uncomfortable situations.

52. A fly can disturb a lion more than the lion can disturb the fly.

Even the greatest, expert or very confident people can sometimes have difficulties or insecurities over the simplest and smallest things.

53. A frog in a pond does not know that the sea exists.

Who has never left his zone, be it his birthplace or his comfort zone, does not know what he is missing out there. Exploring always broadens our horizons, offers us new experiences and will make us have a richer life.

54. If your only tool is a hammer, all problems will look like a nail.

Short-sighted people will see the same problem in all situations and therefore try to apply the same solution. Trying to have a broader vision, consulting other people what they would do or, if necessary, going to several professionals is the best way to cure yourself of fright.

55. Wisdom is like a baobab tree: no one can encompass it individually.

Knowledge is so extensive that one person cannot master it. This is why we need the opinion of several people who have the most varied domains to be able to address all the knowledge that has been and will be as a whole.

56. The death of an old man is like the burning of a library.

The elders are wise. It is not that age is synonymous with wisdom, but it is with having lived more experiences from which, if they have known how to extract the juice, they will have gained knowledge. When they die, so much knowledge is lost that comparing it to burning down a library falls short.

57. Anger and madness are brothers.

Anger is a natural emotion, however, if we let it dominate us there will be a time when we will lose control and sanity. We will not respond adaptively to the adversities of life, which will make us lose many opportunities. We will feel very frustrated and unhappy.

58. Do not follow a person who is running away.

If someone has their own problems, we must avoid being one more for them. Also, to avoid ending up like him, the most important thing is to avoid making the same mistakes.

59. We are all made of the same clay, but not from the same mold.

People deserve the same respect as human beings. Now, we must also understand that each one is as it is. The fundamental premise of this proverb is that we must respect diversity, without forgetting that we all deserve the same rights and fulfill the same obligations.

60. He who wants friends without flaws, he will have none.

Nobody is perfect. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We cannot pretend to surround ourselves with perfect people, the best of the best, because they will always have some defect, in addition to the fact that we ourselves are not an example of perfection. The best thing is to know how to value what you have and accept your loved ones as they are, since we can learn a lot from their defects.

61. You don't need glasses to see other people's mistakes.

It is hard for us to see the good in others, but the bad is very easy to see. The mistakes that other people have made is, on many occasions, the first thing we see. The difficult thing to accept is that these other people do the same exercise.

62. Before changing the world, go around your house three times.

We cannot improve the world if we do not improve our own lives or our immediate environment. There are many things that we have the ability to change, but that we have not yet done so because either we are not aware of it or we have not dared. If we do not start here, it will be very difficult for us to improve the world. From this proverb we could extract the idea of ​​“act local, think global”.

63. The past has fled, what you hope for is absent, but the present is yours.

What's done is done, we can't change it. The future hasn't arrived yet, so for now, we can't change it. However, we can change the present, since it is happening right now. Instead of regretting the past or wishing for the future, what we should do is work on the current time so that what has to come is better.

64. People do their hair every day. Why not the heart?

People care more about our external image, such as beauty or false appearances, before our emotional health. This proverb makes us reflect on how we should give more importance to our psychological well-being before worrying about the visual image that we offer.

65. If what you are going to say is not more beautiful than silence, do not say it.

If we are going to say something that is to enrich the conversation. No one wants to hear an opinion that does not contribute anything or to say something that everyone already knew, what is the need to say it? On many occasions, being quiet is the best.

66. The first time you cheat on me, it will be your fault; the second time, the fault will be mine.

Cheating is bad, but letting yourself be cheated is worse. People must learn from our mistakes, falling into deception being one of them. Repeating the same mistake over and over again is undoubtedly our fault, a demonstration that we are not very smart.

67. An open book is a talking brain; closed a waiting friend; forgotten, a soul that forgives; destroyed, a heart that cries.

Books are an indisputable source of knowledge. We should always read them and treat them well. What you should never do is destroy them, since with them you can lose very interesting knowledge or the vision of a great thinker.

68. Who does not understand a look will not understand a long explanation either.

Words tell us many things, but the gestures that a person makes can tell us how they feel, if they are nervous, sad or insecure. If we do not know how to recognize these micro-expressions, it is very difficult for us to understand the depth of what it has to explain to us.

69. Patience is a tree with bitter roots but very sweet fruits.

Patience is essential if we want to achieve good results in our lives. It is difficult to have to wait but, once we have achieved it, the results feel really good.

70. If you fall seven times, get up eight.

We must never give up. No matter how many times something has gone wrong, we must repeat it as many times as necessary until it goes well. The unsuccessful is not the one who has lost, but the one who has not even tried.

71. Falling is allowed, getting up is an obligation.

Very much in line with the previous proverb, only this time with a more imperative tone. He comes to say that stumbling, failing in life or making mistakes is something natural and inevitable. It is normal that we do not always do it perfectly, whether we like it or not. What we can control is trying again. We will not be able to prosper if we leave it there.

72. He was furious that he had no shoes; then I found a man who had no feet, and I was pleased with myself.

We all want many things in our life, and we compare ourselves with those who have more. However, what about those who have less? Knowing how to value what you have is a fundamental aspect to achieve true happiness.

73. When you are flooded with enormous joy, do not promise anything to anyone. When a great anger dominates you, do not answer any letter.

Happiness, anger and sadness along with other emotions are part of our lives. Emotions are adaptive, but we must know how to control them and prevent them from making us make serious mistakes. Emotions can blind us and make us make bad decisions, which, once we are calmer, will make us deeply regret.

74. With a lie he usually goes very far, but without hope of returning.

If we lie too much there will be a time when we will have told so many lies that any truth will come into direct conflict with them. We will not be able to continue with it for much longer, there will be a moment in which we will have to admit how much we have lied, feeling shame and humiliation. This is why it is so important not to tell lies, to always be honest and to explain the facts, whether they are good or bad.

75. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.

Learning never hurts, that's why all knowledge is a bearer of joy and happiness, and we should be grateful that this is so, because not all people have the opportunity to receive them.

76. Certainly he who bails for a stranger will suffer, but he who hates bailing is safe.

We must trust only those people who deserve it, who are worthy of our trust. Otherwise, we could experience more than one disappointment, such as someone revealing our intimacies or blatantly lying to us with the intention of taking advantage of us.

77. Before destruction goes pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.

Being guilty of pride, having an overly arrogant attitude and belittling others can make us earn many enemies. This can cause our social life to fall apart, leaving us in the deepest loneliness and sadness. We must be humble, know how to see the good in others and take pride in what we really are good at.

78. Cast your lot between us; Let's all have a bag.

Each person must pave their own path, regardless of what other people think, do or say about it. Each one is responsible for his own destiny, that is, he carves out his own future.

79. The wise-hearted obey orders, but the grumpy fool is headed for disaster.

The knowledge that we are acquiring throughout our lives are those that will free us from disappointments. The more we have, the more cautious we will be since we will more easily detect those who do not know what they are talking about or those who are interested in taking advantage of us.

80. The one who stops the punishment hates his son, but the one who loves him takes pains to correct him.

The person who loves us the most will make us suffer. People who care about our well-being and happiness will try to correct, from love, the respect and empathy, that bad thing that we are doing and that, if it continues like this, it would end up doing us damage.

Bibliographic references:

• Bailey, Clinton. (2004). A Culture of Desert Survival: Bedouin Proverbs from Sinai and the Negev. Yale University Press.
• Domínguez Barajas, Elias. (2010). The function of proverbs in discourse. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.