Proverbs – Inspirational Words of Wisdom

Proverbs are wisdom of the experienced passed down from generation to generation; they are sayings and usually contain good advice for living. Here find a collection of famous proverbs containing inspiration; many of these adages are wise sayings, expressions,and phrases that have been passed down for centuries.

William R. Alger once said, “Proverbs are mental gems in the diamond fields of the mind.” The word Proverb is taken from the Latin word proverbium. Proverbs speak to a simple truth or are often considered common sense, but are expressed usually in a one line sentence. They can be witty and amusing. Most proverbs are one liners but have true meaning in them.

Collection of Proverbs

African Proverbs

Funny African Proverbs

Some of our Favorite Proverbs:

It takes a whole village to raise a child. African

Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself. Chinese

Character can be built on daily routine. Japanese

If you plant grass, you won’t get rice. Malaysian

If you can’t live longer, live deeper.Italian

A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.Proverb

Dig your well before you are thirsty. Hindustan

Kind words can conquer. Tamil

If you count your friend’s mistakes, he will desert you. Arabian

Laughter is the remedy for 1001 illnesses. Azerbaijani

A small key can open big doors. Kurdish

Don’t fall into a fire in order to avoid the smoke. Turkish

Don’t do what you’ll have to find an excuse for.Proverb

A good listener needs few words. Basque

You may find your best friend or your worst enemy in yourself. English

A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures in the doctor’s book. Irish

He who undertakes too many things at once seldom does any of them well. Dutch

Confessed faults are half mended. Scottish

A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it flies out, you can’t catch it. Proverb

ProverbEven the best writer has to erase sometimes. Spanish

Sometimes you have to be silent in order to be heard. Swiss

What you cannot say briefly you do not know. Danish

A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day.Danish

There is no wise response to a foolish remark. Czechoslovakian

There are plenty of preachers who don’t hear themselves. German

You can tell who the good seamen are during a storm. Greek

Do more things by wisdom than by force. Hungarian

To the person who watches, everything reveals itself. Italian

One man’s fault is another man’s lesson. Maltese

Every answer can result in a new question. Yiddish

If you are going to do something carelessly, it is better to give up entirely. Russian

He who possesses knowledge possesses the world. Uzbek

Half a loaf is better than none. Australian

Take time to enjoy life’s roses. New Zealander

Self-help is the best help. American

Through other people’s faults, wise men correct their own. Canadian

One timely shout is better than constant talk. Mexican

Do not be excessively timid or excessively confident. Cuban

Little by little, the bird builds its nest. Haitian

Never say no due to pride, or yes due to weakness. Puerto Rican

A dog that always barks gets little attention. Argentine

Little by little, a person can get very far. Peruvian

Some of our Favorite Proverbs from The Bible (NIV):

The Bible is full of wisdom and some of the best Proverbs are found there. Sayings that can help you live a fuller and more peaceful life. These have been around for thousands of years and have been an encouragement to many.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.Proverbs 3:1-2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.
Proverbs 3:13

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1

Gossips betray a confidence, but the trustworthy keep a secret.
Proverbs 11:13

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3

Those who give heed to instruction prosper, and blessed are those who trust in the LORD.
Proverbs 16:20

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30