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He who builds according to everyone’s advice will have a crooked house. –Holland
One must build with the stones one has. –Denmark
If there is no wind, row. –Poland
Do not choose your spouse at a dance, but on the field amongst the workers. –Czechoslovakia
To change and to improve are two different things. –Germany
Even a misfortune may prove useful in three years. –Japan
If one man says you are a jack ass, don’t pay any attention. If ten men call you an ass, put on a saddle. –Arab
A bold heart is half the battle. –Roman
In a land where there are no eagles, the sparrow pretends he is an eagle. –Borneo
Every cabin has its mosquitoes. –West Indies
The medicine man is not esteemed in his own village. –Kenya
Grasp all, lose all.. –Roman
Forbidden goods find many buyers. –Russia
After your fling, watch out for the sting. –England
If the cat scratches you, don’t beat the dog. –Ireland
A fire in the heart brings smoke in the head. –Switzerland
When you go to a donkey house, don’t talk about ears. –Jamaica
Two pieces of meat confuse the mind of the fly. –Nigeria
He that has choice, has trouble. –Holland
The heart is like a goat that must be tied up. –Bantu
Always sunshine makes a desert. –Arab
Man began to learn when he became short of bread. –Ukraine
One is not smelled where all stink. –Roman
Tell the truth and flee. –Montenegro
Remember the end. –Greece
There is often a wise head under a tattered hat. –Slovakia
In calm water every ship has a good captain. –Switzerland
A lie can give more pain than a spear. –Nigeria
Though the emperor has wealth he cannot buy 10,000 years. –China
Cherish the body overmuch, and you harm the soul. –Czechoslovakia
Hunger sweetens the beans. –Roman
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Proverbs 1:1-7 — The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 3:13-14 — Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
Proverbs 28-26 — Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Acts 7:22 — Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
Psalm 90:12 — Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
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Almighty and eternal God, you know our problems and our weaknesses better than we ourselves. In your love and by your power help us in our confusion and, in spite of our weakness, make us firm in faith; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978, #96