Proverbs

 Proverbs (English) and dichos (Spanish) have been a part of history since it was recorded. All nationalities have them as a part of their culture.

 They are not so much history as philosophy. Bits of wisdom. Parents have particularly been prone to voice them as reprimands of for guidance.

 When a parent says, “Do you think money grows on trees?,” you know you are being chastised for over spending or asking for money.

 Or, “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” Words of guidance. When visiting other countries or a neighbor, abide by the customs they have. Don’t eat with your elbows on the table. Wipe your shoes off before entering their home.

 The Bible is filled with proverbs. Jesus used them all the time. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Judge not that you be not judged.”

 My favorite proverb is found in the Book of Ezekiel 18:2, 3. “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are set on edge.” Israel has been taken captive. They are slaves. They were defiant. But their children are paying the price for what their parents did. A current and prevalent indictment.

 However, the Scripture goes on to say “As the Lord thy God liveth, NEVER SAY THAT AGAIN.” (Moffat) Why? Because as with all proverbs, it is only partially true.

 Children, especially teen agers are prone to blame others (parents, siblings, teachers, anyone in authority) for their failures and miscues.

 Of course, we parents are always quick to point out their willfulness and their tendency to follow the influences of others. That’s when proverbs come into play.

 There are some proverbs that seem to me to be more relevant than others. By relevant I mean applicable to every day living.

 For example, LIFE BEGINS AT FORTY. Does it mean the young will find “life” when they get to forty; or to we seniors approach through memory? Life began back in time.

 I reject both views. I affirm that it begins wherever we are. NOW.  The Quakers had a proverb that enlightens. “This is the first day of the rest of your life.”

 The Life Begins at Forty also implies the challenge to be aware (alive) to all experiences. An urban legend about Thomas Edison is applicable. Remember, not the least of his hundreds of inventions was the light bulb. As the legend goes, one night his lab went up in flames, destroying all his notes and inventions.

 Upon seeing it, he told his son to go get his wife and his son’s mother. “Tell her she’ll never see such a sight in her life. It is beautiful.”

 Another of my favorite proverbs is, SEEING IS BELIEVING.  As with most proverbs, this one is only partially true. If you’re scientifically oriented, then it is totally true. Scientists believe that if a hypothesis cannot be verified in a test tube, it is unbelievable. It is based on the pragmatic philosophy.

 In contradiction to the scientific approach there is the RELIGIOUS approach-the reverse of the given proverb. BELIEVING IS SEEING.

 LOVE, COMPASSION, INSIGHTS, FAITH, HOPE are all intangibles. They cannot be measured or seen; only their results. But they are non-the–less real. They are all the basic affirmations of religion.

 Consider this illustration. It’s about Joan of Arc. She was born in 1412 and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. She was canonized on May 16, 1920.

 She was militant in heading the military of France against the British in the last phase of the Hundred Years War (1339-1453).

 At the age of thirteen she began to hear voices, as from God. She continued to hear them until her last breath.

 King Charles VII was her mortal enemy and caused her martyrdom. In a classic confrontation, he accused her of heresy and hearing the voices. He said, “Why doesn’t the voice of God speak to me?” Joan responded, “He does. But you don’t listen.”

 Believing is Seeing, as true today as back then.

Amen. Selah. So be it.

 

WORDS TO THINK ABOUT

G. W. Abersold Ph.D.