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Schroedes13's avatar

What is one proverb/idiom that you would say has helped you most in your life?

Asked by Schroedes13 (3866 points ) July 8th, 2011

I just want to know what some of the sayings you’ve heard that have really impacted your life. For me, the two biggest ones have been “don’t trade time for money, trade money for money” and “be where you are.” For the former, I learned that I really don’t enjoy trading work hours for money, when it is much more simple to invest and trade money for money. As for the latter, I have realized that being engaged in my life at the moment is one of the best ways to lead a more interesting life. When I am out, I try to keep my thoughts focused on where I am and who I am with. Let’s hear some of your words of wisdom!

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27 Answers

RealEyesRealizeRealLies's avatar

Suffering can make you strong.

Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.
Nothing is ever as good as it seems.

Everything is going to be alright. It already is. It always is.

chyna's avatar

Do unto others…
I really do try to think of that when I want to go off on someone and I think about the rough time they may be going through.
On the day I was going to make arrangements for my mom’s funeral, I was driving down the highway, lost in thought and didn’t get over to let a merging car on the interstate. I didn’t even notice him. He laid on his horn and flipped me the finger. You never know what someone has going on in their lives.

TexasDude's avatar

“It is not the critic who counts…”
-Theodore Roosevelt

“You only truly possess what cannot be lost in a shipwreck.”
-El Ghazali

“Anything to which you grant your love is yours.”
-Ayn Rand

“There is no shortcut to truth.”
-Alfred North Whitehead

“Pain is weakness leaving the body.”
-USMC recruitment ad campaign

filmfann's avatar

@chyna I remember when my Mom called me in a panic. My father had had a heart attack. The ambulance hadn’t arrived yet.
I ran to the car, and drove like crazy to my parents house.
When I got there, they were just about to take my father out. I got to see him one last time, and tell him that I was there.
Now, when I see someone driving in a terrible hurry, I just give them room.
I completely agree. You just don’t know what is going on in someone elses life.

Schroedes13's avatar

@chyna @filmfann ya it’s all about perspective. When someone thinks you’re a douchebag, often you’re thinking the same about them and it is only the two perspectives that are creating the problem.

Schroedes13's avatar

@Fiddle_Playing_Creole_Bastard I think all of them are useful, except the pain one. Sometimes pain is just pain caused by a serious injury lol.

filmfann's avatar

The one piece of advice I have clung to over the years was from my Father.
He told me never to settle for what others think is passable. Always work to the point where you are satisfied with it. I can’t tell you how many times I have done something, only to take it apart because I wasn’t happy with the result, while others would have just let it go.

jaytkay's avatar

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

The way to begin is to begin

athenasgriffin's avatar

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

janbb's avatar

Know thyself
First, do no harm

woodcutter's avatar

What comes around, goes around.

TexasDude's avatar

@Schroedes13 true dat. I guess “always in moderation” is a good additional quote/addendum for that one.

WasCy's avatar

I live by two maxims:

Any day that I can get out of bed is a great day.
Any day that I have to get out of bed, how good can that be, really?

I also like:

He who hesitates is lost.
Look before you leap.

In other words: Just do it.

Blackberry's avatar

You are the company you keep…or however it goes.

Aethelflaed's avatar

“Life is suffering”, followed closely by “You’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”

Plucky's avatar

Hmm, probably:



gondwanalon's avatar

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

Nimis's avatar

This too shall pass.

Symbeline's avatar

The only thing you know is that you know nothing.

He’s got a point. Keeps me from being too conceited…sometimes.

What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.

Well I doubt that Conan the Barbarian actually said that, but it’s always inspired me, even if only for how badass it sounds.

Girl who sits on judge gets honorable discharge.

I mean er…hm…

Sunny2's avatar

Haste makes waste. When I try to hurry, whatever I’m doing gets messed up some way. I try to slow it down so I don’t make too many goofs.

Schroedes13's avatar

@Nimis YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!! lol

ucme's avatar

He who laughs last, laughs longest!
Or, he get’s wheeled away to the giggle factory.

Sunny2's avatar

The truth shall set you free. Fantasy (except as entertainment) is a waste of time.


Everything changes, so don’t worry about something too much.

What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

And one I made up myself——Always have something to look forward to in life, be it large or small. That’s what makes life fun.

woodcutter's avatar

what doesn’t kill me isn’t dangerous enough


@woodcutter Tell that to that kid who did you know what to me! Felt like I was going to die, seriously. Lol….. :(

majorrich's avatar

Righty tighty, Lefty loosey..
People are, in general, no damned good.

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