From The Storyteller
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Wisdom
Wisdom I’ve gleaned from proverbs found in different cultures: “Ancient Chinese” proverb is, “Better to make a net than to yearn for fish at the edge of the pond”. This apparently sums what the Chinese do to make their lives better. Make nets and live well. “Folk Wisdom of Mexico” suggests “Don’t do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” I get it. Today I can “yearn” for fish, because tomorrow will be a good day to start working on making a net. Clearly the harmony found in the collective wisdom of both cultures is amazing. But wait! “Irish Proverb” reminds us that “Firelight will not let you read fine stories, but it warms you and you won’t see the dust on the floor”. So being warm and comfortable in a dusty home can make putting off net building until tomorrow a good idea. I think I’m getting a picture of a good life. “Yiddish Wisdom” tells us “Love is sweet, but it is nice to have bread with it.” Got it! Love and bread, while warm, comfortable, and not being able to see the dust on the floor, as we yearn for fish to go with the bread, can easily make our net building plans for tomorrow a great idea. I can feel the good life getting closer. “Wisdom For Graduates” quote’s George Bernard Shaw “, A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing”. Wait! This is a trick, because I’m back to making nets. Which naturally brings me to “Vintage Chicago Street Wisdom”, which is “He who has the gold, get the girl”. Proof that not all called wisdom – is wisdom, because I’ve never got the gold, and yet I got the girl (Elaine). Moral: Wisdom always depends on who’s telling the story. |