Proverbs from Tibet

On Appearances
Both flowers and jewelry are lovely if just a few. (One should be modest and not wear all of one’s finery at once nor all of the time.)
On Business and Affairs
Affairs cannot be handled with a two-pointed mind. Sewing cannot be done with a two pointed needle.
Double –minded men cannot handle affairs. With many tasks nothing is ever finished. (Too many irons in the fire)
On Boasting
A braggart has no courage, muddy water has no depth.
If the hand can not catch the flea.Let not the mouth slay the tiger.
Though one’s tongue can talk to other persons.To see one self there must be a mirror. (One ought not to boast but look at oneself in a mirror.)
If one eat much honey, it makes the liver sick.If one talk much, the words are like blowing a goat’s horn.
Kill five men, wound ten and capture twenty.
On Comparison
Wood is light on water. And stones seem light on wood.
Clouds are the mistress of the sky. Flesh is the softness of the bones.
On Example
When the blind escort the blind, both fall into the river.
Although the lamp is in his hand, the blind man cannot see his way.
On Evil
The evil mouth of men, breaks the rod of iron. (Gossip will kill the best reputation.)
Snake fears man. Man fears snake. (Two evil fear each other when they meet)
When fire burns over the great mountain, poison is cast in the great sea. (Evil comes to those who spread evil.)
On Food
In the beginning eat your meal, afterwards cut down the fir tree. (Eat first to have strength for the work).
On Glory
Nothing more brilliant than sun and moon, nothing more numerous than the stars.
On Friends and Enemies
As to friends we like the old; As to clothes we like the new.
Brothers may become as enemies. Yet their family ties are golden.
The magpie goes east, the raven goes west.
A neighbor is one hundred times better, than a relative a long distance off.
On Harmony in Life and Nature
Teeth come in at eight months,crawling is at nine months. (Everything must be in natural order.)
A hoe digs, a broom sweeps. (Everything has its proper use)
On Heaven and Hell
When a man bows, heaven forgives.
On Hypocrisy
Like fine satin on the outside, like barley bag on the inside.
Empty in the heart, lovely in the mouth.
One mouth, two tongues. (Two-faced)
After calling a dog, one ought not to beat him.
On Learning
It is easy to do work in a small house, It is easy to deceive those of little mind.
On Master and Servants
The goat sends the kid, the kid sends its tail. (Everyone wants to boss someone else; and each tries to pass the job on down to one of lower rank.)
On Poverty
Long arms, short sleeves.(A person has great ambition but is poverty stricken.)
On Quarrelling
When the yak plows, the ox’s neck bends. (Out of sympathy; when two men quarrel others join in)
On Rulers
An unclean kingdom is filthier than a great swamp.
When a righteous king has crooked ministers.He falls under the rule of his ministers.
On Sincerity
If water is clear. The fish can be seen (We will know in time the truth or falsity of talk.