Presidential Proverbs

There are certain basic principles in life that apply to all human beings in every country, in every religion, and throughout the history of man. These principles of life teach people the wisdom and understanding that they need to keep from making a royal mess of their lives - especially when they are young and just beginning to learn about how life works in the real world.

Applying these principles to one's life saves the individual a lot of headaches as they go through life and gives them the opportunity to live longer. No one lives a life free from foolish mistakes and no one has all wisdom and a complete understanding of life, that's for sure. Nevertheless, the more wisdom and understanding a person gains and the earlier in life he or she gets it the better off that person will be as they go through life. [This statement is predicated on the supposition that the individual actually applies the wisdom to their life.]

Parents are responsible for teaching their children about life since they are much older and theoretically more wise. Solomon, the son of David, the king of Israel, understood this. Being the wisest man to ever live, he wrote down principles for life for his sons to have in their youth, in their adulthood, and even when he was gone. These "proverbs and riddles, the teachings and sayings of the wise" are available to me and you even today. They can be found in the Old Testament of the Christian Holy Bible and, of course, in Jewish religious writings.

I was challenged many years ago to read Solomon's wisdom literature on a daily basis. Though they sting as they reveal to you how off course you are, his proverbs are undeniably true. If heeded they help a man correct his path in life. Somehow, through the years, I stuck with that challenge to read a chapter of them each morning and some of them have actually rubbed off on me. Not much of it has, but a little.

I might add that they are perfect for reminding a person who they really are when they start thinking more highly of themselves than they should. They tend to keep you in line with reality. From time to time I get a chance to jot down an odd mixture of what I have learned from Solomon over the years and what I have learned from living over 50 years in a completely different time and culture than what Solomon lived in. I do it in the same format that Solomon used.

Since truth does not change with time his wisdom is as relevant today as it was a couple of thousand years ago. As for the stuff I write, it is tainted from having filled my mind with American television, music and movies for most of my life. I'm sure that you know what I mean. My "proverbs" are not on the same level as the teachings of Solomon - but then again I'm not the wisest person in all of history like he was.

Later in life he forsook his own teaching and made some stupid mistakes that are also recorded in the Old Testament. I take that as a warning and that's probably how it is meant to be. Wisdom or not, you have to apply it. Forsake it and you always pay for it. Anyway, I thought that I would share a few of my proverbs with you for the fun of it. Some people write songs, others express themselves in different ways. I write proverbs. I have written over a thousand but figured that I would just put a hundred or so on this website. Reading them will help you understand me a little better. I hope you enjoy them.

"President Tony"

• Fantasy is like a snare to the unaware;
  if it you find, it's not good for the mind.
   
• Today is a good day to get some work done;
  so is tomorrow and the next day.
   
• Arguing with an atheist is folly;
  it's like trying to eat the hole of a donut.
   
• Dreamers and romantics and those who long for fantasy;
  they have a life to waste.
   
• Pornography is like a pit that a man falls into;
  getting out may not be a choice.
   
• "There's no absolute truth!", says the simple;
  but can he say that is absolutely true?
   
• A liar is the best friend a man can have;
  you might as well go jump off a cliff.
   
• Those who mock wisdom and those who hate God;
  they are next of kin.
   
• The shallow think that wisdom and knowledge are one in the same;
  they are just twins.
   
• Around and around he goes where he stops no one knows;
  that's the fool in his folly.
   
• Like an animal who eats his young;
  that's the women who betrays her natural modesty.
   
• Bright eyes are like sunshine;
  inside is something good.
   
• Out! Out!, says the woman to her unfaithful husband;
  and that's just the beginning.
   
• Whatever you do don't ask for advise;
  guess and prove yourself a fool.
   
• As shiny objects reflect the sun,
  so a man's actions reflect the man.
   
• Don't attempt to instruct the proud;
  he already knows it all.
   
• Talk is cheap, even free;
  and gossip tastes sweet.
   
• A good dog and a good wife;
  but not in that order.
   
• Out comes the truth, even from the liar;
  just keep listening.
   
• Here and there and everywhere -
  are rocks and dirt and the lazy.
   
• The wisdom of the wise bubbles to the top;
  how can one keep it from overflowing?
   
• Hurry up and get out before the husband returns!
  one second too late and it may cost you your life.
   
• I keep failing, I keep failing - when should I give up?
  never, never, replies the wise man.
   
• As she comes near folly appears beautifully adorned,
  but as she walks away it becomes clear that she has no clothes on.
   
• We all wrestle with our thoughts;
  don't let the bad ones win.
   
• Medicine may kill the germs,
  but the wicked have a hard pill to swallow.
   
• Hurrying one's wife is like throwing rocks at the neighbor;
  nothing good comes from it.
   
• "Never again!", says the liar;
  then off he goes to lie once more.
   
• As the beaver slowly fells the tree,
  so the sluggard gets out of bed. Give him time.
   
• A woman who is beautiful in appearance may not realize it;
  once she figures it out, run for cover!
   
• The lender owns the borrower;
  whatever he wants he gets.
   
• Robins and Cardinals and Jays;
  they are all a magnificent creation.
   
• Who can tell the proud of heart anything?
  he knows everything.
   
• A contentious wife runs off to shop;
  her husband cares not whether she returns.
   
• Strong hands and a strong mind;
  the wise are not afraid to work.
   
• The liar lives on a slippery slope;
  it's only a matter of time before he falls.
   
• He who desires to be rich gives a bribe here and a bribe there;
  and often it works!
   
• Frugality and cunning are good friends;
  together they amass wealth.
   
• Give and take the foolish man tells his wife;
  you give and I'll take.
   
• Starting out wealthy sure doesn't hurt;
  but an inheritance quickly gained can be a snare.
   
• The old saying is true;
  cleanliness is next to godliness.
   
• Don't set any goals for your life;
  then you can wander through life aimlessly.
   
• He who commits suicide looks at life as an enemy -
  rather than the gift that it is.
   
• A child who doesn't listen to his mother is foolish;
  his folly will have to be removed the hard way.
   
• The unlawful bring about their own fate;
  yet their hearts rage against those who do good.
   
• Every man has a purpose in this life;
  it's to his glory to figure it out.
   
• It's troubling when the young rule the old;
  didn't they just learn to walk?
   
• What's to become of a fool in his folly? You can be sure that the outcome will not be good.
   
• All religions have some truth;
  it's your mission to find out which one has the most.
   
• All religions may impress you as true;
  but digging a little deeper brings disappointment.
   
• Liars a plenty that's what I say;
  but someone hide the mirror.
   
• A wise man need not contend with a fool;
  it's just a waste of time.
   
• A jealous woman is like a bear with her cubs;
  it's not wise to draw near.
   
• The Lord God made the eye of the eagle;
  who can duplicate it?
   
• The insecure feels the need to prove his knowledge;
  but don't listen to his advice.
   
• "Listen, listen!", says the man to his son;
  but he forgets that teenagers know everything.
   
• The value of a good friend cannot be weighed;
  his worth goes far beyond gold.
   
• Sensuality and pride and arrogance;
  they work as a team to bring a man down.
   
• -"We're different, we're different!", says the racist;
  but he only sees the surface.
   
• Beautiful women everywhere. Here's one, there's one;
  but in time they too have to build character.
   
• Unthankfulness and self pity and envy;
  they live under the same roof.
   
• Brothers may not get along;
  but they do remember their blood connection.
   
• Struggling for riches can prove harmful;
  a wise man's secret is contentment.
   
• True unconditional love man knows not;
  but God is very familiar with it.
   
• Looking into a mirror can be of great value;
  self examination makes life easier.
   
• Sexual indiscretion is hard on the body;
  a chance encounter may yield disaster.
   
• A disabled child is a gift from God;
  He knows which families need to draw close.
   
• "It's the end of the world!", says the zealot;
  as did his father and his father before him.
   
• Spirit and body and soul;
  will you take the time to consider?
   
• "Here's a party, there's a party!", says the simple;
  it's our chance to get drunk again!
   
• Trying to understand the ways of God will prove futile;
  if you figure them out, tell me.
   
• Don't mess with another man's wife;
  it's like pulling the lion's tail.
   
• The wise man listens and calculates;
  but the fool raises his arms and makes a scene.
   
• What can be compared to a beautiful woman?
  she is the crown of all God's creation.
   
• "I get angry too easy!", says the hot head;
  it's best to keep your distance from him.
   
• "You sit here and you sit there", says the hostess;
  all the while making judgments in her heart.
   
• The young don't understand life;
  why put them in charge of anything?
   
• Don't give up on life;
  your hard time is sure to pass.
   
• The fool says, "I want my child to be just like me!";
  and he will be.
   
• What is more precious than a little girl?
  God is watching how you treat her.
   
• Those who rob and destroy get away with nothing;
  in the end their fate has been sealed.
   
• A broken heart is a terrible thing;
  but time and clear thinking will eventually bring healing.
   
• "I've had enough!", says the employee;
  but he will be back tomorrow.
   
• Men are held responsible by God;
  so watch how you treat your wife.
   
• Words of insight will impress the humble;
  but the fool says, "I know, I know!";
   
• Fathers, it is best to stay with your children's mother;
  even if you liken her to a raging bull.
   
• You better slow down the fast talker;
  before he owns all you have.
   
• "Give me a nymphomaniac!", says the young man;
  but pray to God that you don't get one.
   
• A king can be a good thing or a bad;
  how much does he understand life?
   
• "Clean and scrub!", says the diligent man;
  but the lazy put it off until tomorrow.
   
• Life is like a mine field;
  one wrong step and it could be your undoing.
   
• Fantasy is not good for the mind;
  too much will distort your perception of reality.
   
• Heat is good for the body,
  and so is a clear conscience.
   
• This is what I have learned about life;
  it's not wise to talk yourself into a bad mood.
   
• Children are indeed precious to God;
  He has their angels watching night and day.
   
• The fool stumbles through life;
  he doesn't know if he is coming or going.
   
• A hard headed man is best left alone;
  you don't want to be around when he learns the hard way.
   
• Sometimes the wise don't heed their own wisdom;
  and they pay dearly for it.
   
• Understanding, insight, wisdom, discernment and knowledge;
  they all run in the same crowd.
   
• Children, your parents are not perfect;
  listen to them anyway if you desire an easier life.
   
• With fear comes torment;
  with courage comes victory.
   
• What job is more important than motherhood?
  I can't think of any.
   
• Weighing out a matter may take some time;
  but it will be worth it.
   
• What can I compare the simple to?
  he's like the mule beating his head against the tree.
   
• Courageous young men answer the call to war;
  yet they know not their fate.
   
• A good name is a lofty goal;
  but a wise man will attain it.