Archive for May 24, 2008

Nine Kazakh Proverbs from Saule

My husband had asked Saule for some specific Kazakh proverbs that might relate to the “Golden Rule.”  The following are what she came up with:

 

“Nightingale cannot do without woods, man cannot do without Motherland.”

 

“If the dead aren’t satisfied, the living will not get rich” [If you don’t remember and honor/respect the departed ancestors, you will not succeed/get rich in your life.]

 

“If somebody offends you, don’t treat him in the same way – treat him to food.”

 

“Work is your hands’ dirt.”  [Work is temporary, today you might be boss but tomorrow not.  Don’t become proud (get conceited, put on airs, become arrogant)]

 

“If your wife is good, your home is full of abundance (guests, joy, luck, happiness)

If your wife is bad, your home is full of unhappiness (sadness, failure).”

 

“If your daughter-in-law is good, your house is golden.”

 

“Man is a defender of his people,

Woman is a mother for her people.”

 

“Bad people cry that they are good,

Good people can’t say they are good.”

 

“Escape (run away from ) rich people lying to you,

Escape poor people complaining to you.”

 

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