Say what?

     

     Through the centuries, man has shown his wisdom in various ways, such as the writings of King Solomon or Plato. 

     
     Then, there are also short, wise sayings called common proverbs that give a small dose of wisdom. Growing up, I often heard many of these quoted by my parents from time to time, perhaps to encourage me in some way, such as,
"Don't put off 'till tomorrow what you can do today." 
In other words, 
"Get on with it, and do now, what is before you!" 

     How many of these have you heard? Can you decipher their meaning?    

1. A penny saved is a penny earned.  

2. If you make your bed you lie in it. 

3. Where there's a will there's a way. 

4. Make hay while the sun shines. 

5. The grass is always greener on the other side. 

6. A stitch in time saves nine. 

7. The shortest way round is the longest way home. 

8. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

9. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. 

10. The pen is mightier than the sword.      

     

     A Grade 1 teacher gave her students the first half of some of these well-known sayings just to see how they — with their limited experience of life— would complete them. 

     

The following are their interesting answers:   

1. Better to be safe than... (punch a 5th Grader). 

2. Don't bite the hand that...(looks dirty).  

3. You can't teach an old dog... (math).  

4. If you lie down with dogs, you... (will stink in the morning).  

5. A penny saved is...(not much). 

6. Children should be seen but not...(grounded).  

7. Two's company, three's...(the Musketeers).  

8. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and... (you have to blow your nose).

— beulah