Proverbs

Monday night I went to a class on proverbs.  I really enjoyed it.  I've been reading a book written by a Somali man, and he often mentions proverbs his mother taught him when he was a child.  It was very good.  The instructor of the class pointed out that Western culture often relies on only words.  The point of proverb is to create a picture.

With that, she gave us an exercise.  We were to draw "mercy" or "compassion," particularly as attributes of God.

What would you have drawn?

It was interesting to see everyone's drawing.  We had very different ideas.  The class was comprised of 8 students, from 4 different countries: Sudan, Eritrea, USA, and British.  Some drew rain falling on the plants of the earth.  One drew a mother holding a child.  Some drew provision of home and possessions.  I drew Noah's Ark and the rainbow.

Here are some of my favorites of the proverbs I've been reading or we discussed in the class.

What comes from the lips reaches the ear.
What comes from the heart reaches the heart.

The one I see you with I will take you to resemble.

A single hand cannot clap.  

If you are hosted by people with only one eye, then become a one-eyed person.

And my favorite...

He who goes round with the spice merchant smells of his aroma.