American Proverbs

Like our myths, proverbs have been handed down from person to person, over time. Proverbs are a big part of mythology and folklore. Greek and Roman Philosophers, and other thinkers who helped define the dieties of ancient civilizations used them. Every day Americans have helped define our own folk culture with their wit and wisdom. Some to grow on:

TRADITIONAL AMERICAN PROVERBS:

1. People are quick to promise, quick to forget

2. You can't do more than you can do

3. Those who have the most to say speak the least.

4. All men are fools, but few fools are men.

6. Speak of angels and you will hear their wings.

7. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

8. Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.

9. The wish is the mother of the deed.

10. You can't unscramble an egg.

11. A little too late is too much too late.

12. If you're all wrapped up in yourself you're a small package, and not much of a surprise.

13. A good lie is more often believed than a bad truth.

14. A person is as good as their conversation.

15. Adversity and prosperity equally make monsters of men.

16. Don't live it up so high you don't have a place to lie down.

NATIVE AMERICAN PROVERBS

1. It's best to have a little thunder in your mouth and a lot of lightning in your hand. - Apache

2. Each bird loves to hear himself sing. - Arapaho

3. Wonder often, knowledge will come. - Arapaho

4. Life and death are not different. They only appear that way. - Blackfoot

5. Life is the flash of a firefly in the night, the breath of a buffalo in winter, the little shadow that flits across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. - Blackfoot

6. Don't let yesterday waste today. - Cherokee

7. The best defense is knowing your enemies weakness. - Cherokee

8. Beware of the man who doesn't talk. - Cheyenne

9. There is no inequality among the dead. - Comanche

10. You already possess everything necessary to greatnes. - Crow

11. Wisdom comes when you stop looking for it and start living wisely. - Hopi

12. The soul would have no rainbow if the eye had no tears. - Native American

13. You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep. - Navajo

14. It is easy to be brave from a distance. -Omaha

15. God gives us each a song. - Ute