Within each country around the globe, there are particular phrases that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Every nation on this planet has unique mottos and proverbs that help remind citizens about what is important in life and how they should behave. Culturally based maxims also serve the purpose of boosting the morale of people who find themselves dealing with tough circumstances. By exploring various sayings from around the world, we can improve our understanding of a wide variety of universal truths. As the Icelandic proverb goes, “All old sayings have something in them.” Here are 10 of our favorite Global Sayings to Live By:
Tibet:
Saying: All the world’s great journeys begin with a first step.
Meaning: To manifest anything meaningful in life, you will have to take the initial first steps. Remember that every famous success story started from the exact same place. There was the first time that Ronaldo kicked a soccer ball, the first time that Adele sang, and the first time that J.K. Rawlings put her pen to paper.
Russia:
Saying: There is no shame in not knowing, the shame lies in not finding out.
Meaning: If you have always had the desire to pursue a particular path or dream, you are doing yourself a great disservice by not following your inclinations. It is important to take chances, listen to your heart, and do what you believe to be right. Remember, the regret you have from not trying to do something will always be more painful than rejection or failure.
Portugal:
Saying: Change yourself and your fortune will change.
Meaning: If you are unsatisfied with your current life situation, you should understand that the only way to change your circumstances and fortune is by changing yourself. Unless you are willing to first work on yourself, you should continue to expect the same types of results in your life.
Congo:
Saying: No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come.
Meaning: If you are going through a difficult time, you should know that regardless of how hard it is, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The impermanent nature of reality ensures that our negative emotions, pain, fear, and anger will not last forever.
Poland:
Saying: Words should be weighed, not counted.
Meaning: Many people falsely assume that an individual who talks a lot should be considered intelligent, authoritative, and wise. The truth is, however, that the number of words spoken by an individual isn’t nearly as important as the meaning of their message.
India:
Saying: They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing. Meaning: Many people in the Western world come to falsely believe that they can improve the quality of their lives by continuously accumulating, owning, and protecting material possessions. The impermanent nature of reality, however, makes it impossible for us to gain pleasure, happiness, and fulfillment from withholding what we believe to be ‘ours.’ By compassionately giving, an individual can increase their levels of life satisfaction in ways that withholding doesn’t allow.
Japan:
Saying: The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. Meaning: If you hope to be portrayed as someone who lives with honesty and integrity, it is vital to act with those qualities at all times. When you put your guard down and act in ways that are unethical or harmful, even if it is only for an hour, you open the door to ruin the reputation that you have tirelessly worked to build. A man who makes ethical business deals for 20 years before deciding to cheat the system a single time can have everything that he owns taken from him.
Argentina:
Saying: A dog that barks all the time gets little attention.
Meaning: Individuals who are in constant need of attention rarely get what they are looking for. An individual who continuously clamors for praise and affection from others will assuredly be pushed away. Instead of seeking validation and admiration from others, it is important to validate your own worth by developing and cultivating self-love and self-respect.
Tanzania:
Saying: A roaring lion kills no game.
Meaning: If you want to achieve the goals you set in life, you will have to take definitive action. All too often, people will talk about their plans to change the world, amass good fortunes, or transform their lives, yet never take the needed actions to accomplish these things. If you want to succeed in any endeavor, it will be vital to take continuous definitive action.
Canada:
Saying: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
Meaning: Scientific statistics about global warming have made it quite clear that our planet is in deteriorating shape. Each and every day it is important to remember that the pollution we are causing today will drastically affect future generations. We all need to make the effort to consciously reverse the effects of global warming, and we can do this by thinking about the planet from the perspective of our children and grandchildren.
Patrick Zeis is a meditation instructor, writer, and humanitarian from St. Louis, Missouri. His work has been featured on platforms such as The Huffington Post and Pickthebrain.com. He is also a member of reputable professional organizations such as the American Mindfulness Research Association and the Academy of Spiritual and Consciousness Studies.
Patrick Zeis 
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