120 Cultural Sayings From Around The World
Cultural expressions are a valuable insight into the customs and mindset of societies around the globe. The diverse sayings and proverbs that have been passed down through generations encapsulate the shared wisdom and experiences of a people. This article explores 120 of these cultural sayings from various parts of the world.
The selections have been grouped into regions for ease of reference. We begin in Europe with familiar expressions like “actions speak louder than words” sitting alongside less familiar Serbian proverbs. From there we venture to Asia, Africa and the Americas to sample the wise words and idioms used across these vast and varied lands.
All peoples seek to distill important life lessons into memorable phrases. This collection offers a glance into different worldviews and how disparate communities have articulated similar ideas in their own unique ways. By browsing sayings from numerous cultures, we can gain a better understanding of our shared humanity while appreciating the rich diversity of traditions that make our world fascinating. I hope you find insights as well as entertainment within the pages that follow.
1. Popular Proverbs from Different Nations
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” – Shakespeare
“Well begun is half done.” – Aristotle
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Chinese proverb
“A diamond with a flaw is still a diamond.” – Hindi Proverb
“Where there is a will, there is a way.” – Ancient Roman Proverb
“The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” – English proverb
“Little strokes fell great oaks.” – Benjamin Franklin
“The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise your sails.” – Spanish Proverb
“All that glitters is not gold.” – Old English Proverb
“Love will find a way.” – Irish Proverb
“Behind an able man there are always other able men.” – Chinese Proverb
“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” – Peter Drucker
“If you fall down seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb
“When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.” – Japanese Proverb
“A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.” – English Proverb
“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller
“Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad.” – Greek Proverb
“Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.” – Chinese Proverb
“To know and not to do is not yet to know.” – Confucius
“First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
2. Famous Phrases across Languages and Cultures
‘All that glitters is not gold’ – English proverb
‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’ – English proverb
‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch’ – English proverb
‘Silence is golden’ – English proverb
‘Barking dogs seldom bite’ – English proverb
‘Out of sight, out of mind’ – English proverb
‘The early bird catches the worm’ – English proverb
‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ – English proverb
‘Look before you leap’ – English proverb
‘People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones’ – English proverb
‘Curiosity killed the cat’ – English proverb
‘Appearances can be deceiving’ – English proverb
‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ – English proverb
‘Haste makes waste’ – English proverb
‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ – English proverb
‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ – English proverb
‘Easier said than done’ – English proverb
‘Clothes don’t make the man’ – English proverb
‘A penny saved is a penny earned’ – English proverb
‘Faint heart never won fair lady’ – English proverb
3. Wise Words from Around the Globe
“It’s not over until it’s over.” – English Proverb
“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Easier said than done.” – English Proverb
“All that glitters is not gold.” – English Proverb
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.” – English Proverb
“Do what you can with what you have where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb
“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” – Richard Bach
“If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” – William Penn
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
“You get peace of mind not by thinking about it or imaging it but by living it.” – Shantideva
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain
“The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” – English Proverb
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato
“Trust because you are willing to accept the risk, not because it’s safe or certain.” – Unknown
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.” – Beverly Sills
4. Insightful Idioms used Internationally
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”- Albert Einstein
“Fall seven times and stand up eight.” – Japanese proverb
“Don’t see difficulties; think possibilities.” – Chinese proverb
“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” – Chinese proverb
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” – English idiom
“God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.” – Scottish proverb
“All labor and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” – English idiom
“Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day.” – Spanish proverb
“Don’t underrate your opponent.” – Nigerian proverb
“It never rains but it pours.” – English proverb
“Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.” – English adage
“Many hands make light work.” – English proverb
“One good turn deserves another.” – English proverb
“It’s always darkest before the dawn.” – English proverb
“Strike while the iron is hot.” – English proverb
“Too many cooks spoil the broth.” – English proverb
“Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.” – English motivational quote
“Worry often gives small things a big shadow.” – Swedish proverb
“Every journey begins with a single step.” – Chinese proverb
5. Notable Maxims spoken Worldwide
Notable Maxims spoken Worldwide
“The wind calls my name.” – Arabic Proverb
“People are just people.” – Chinese Proverb
“The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.” – Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish novelist)
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.” – Irish Blessing
“Walk together, talk together: all things will be well.” – Ethiopian Proverb
“However long the night, the dawn will break.” – African Proverb
“With faith, mountains move.” – Brazilian Saying
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (American essayist, lecturer, and poet)
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” – English Proverb
“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” – Japanese Proverb
“There is a remedy for everything except death.” – Spanish Saying
“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” – Howard Zinn (American historian and political scientist)
“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.” – Thoreau (American philosopher and author)
“A single conversation across the table with a wise person is better than ten years mere study of books.” – Chinese Proverb
“Don’t squat with your spurs on.” – Texan Saying
“The steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find the rock beneath.” – Abraham (Hebrew prophet)
“Look before you leap.” – Scottish Proverb
“To see the true nature of underprivileged people, visit them, not as a tourist but as a guest.” – Indian Proverb
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson (American author)
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” – Edison (American inventor)
6. Remarkable Adages in Various Languages
“Barking dogs seldom bite” – English
“A rolling stone gathers no moss” – English
“Many hands make light work” – English
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” – English
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” – English
“Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today” – English
“All that glisters is not gold” – English
“Too many cooks spoil the broth” – English
“Out of sight, out of mind” – English
“Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it” – English
“It never rains but it pours” – English
“Feast today, fast tomorrow” – Yiddish
“A grain in hand is better than a harvest promised” – Polish
“To know and not to do is not to know” – Chinese
“If you want something done, ask a busy person” – Italian
“Those who flee will suffer pursuit” – Latin
“When the wind changes direction, there are those who build walls instead of windmills” – Spanish
“A rich man is not one who has much but one who needs little” – Arabic
“The appetite grows with eating” – German
“Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends” – French
Conclusion
In conclusion, this examination of 120 cultural sayings from various regions around the world highlights the rich diversity of human experience and wisdom. The proverbs provide fascinating insights into different cultures’ perspectives on topics like family, relationships, work, and life. Reflecting on their meanings can help us expand our own worldviews and increase our cultural understanding. These quotes also remind us of truths that often transcend borders, such as the value of kindness, community, and perseverance in facing life’s challenges. I encourage readers to contemplate the insights from global neighbors contained within these sayings.
