German Proverbs

While reading the blog of architect, Matt Hofmann, I came across this post that he mentions German proverbs and his thoughts on each proverb. I found these proverbs to hit particularly close to home.

1)    A poor person isn’t he who has little, but he who needs a lot. I’m rich when I’m content with what I have.

2)    All beginning is difficult. I could not experience the joy of being a licensed architect today if I had not embraced the challenge of Calculus in college.

3)    God gives, but man must open his hand. When opportunity knocks I still must open the door.

4)    People show their character by what they laugh at. Grampa’s life speaks to this one – attitude is everything.

5)    He who cannot doubt, is a stupid man. Questioning old ideas often leads to better ones.

6)    He who teaches children learns more than they do. I learn more when I collaborate with others.

7)    Envy eats nothing but its own heart. And it eats creative energy for dessert.

8)    Who has never tasted what is bitter does not know what is sweet. Grampa Hofmann has said more than once, “I’ve loved greatly because I’ve known heartache.” Which is why I put my whole heart into life.

9)    Frugality keeps the house. And overstuffed garages sink it.

10) Money alone doesn’t make one happy. There are only two types of people – those who have learned this lesson and those who will.

11) Happy is the one who forgets that which cannot be changed. I don’t worry much about problems I know I can’t fix.

12) Who begins too much accomplishes little. And the opposite is true: He who starts small accomplishes much.

13) No one is luckier than he who believes in his luck. It’s important to be good at what you do, but ask anyone who’s won the Lottery or sunk a hole-in-one, it’s important to be lucky, too.

14) Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. Look for the good in everything.