Choose another tradition
Every culture has found short, memorable ways to speak about sorrow and endurance. Proverbs survive because they are true often enough that people keep repeating them to one another across generations.
Read more
Here you will find lines from the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, Confucian sayings, Irish blessings, and proverbs from Japan, China, Sweden, Persia and Africa — small lanterns of wisdom passed hand to hand.
Some of these sayings have uncertain origins; where authorship is doubtful, they are marked “Attributed to”.
Proverbs make lovely additions to sympathy cards. Tap “Share” on any of them to send it to someone who might need it.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
— After Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 64The softest things in the world overcome the hardest.
— After Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 43Muddy water, left still, slowly becomes clear.
— After Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 15Nothing in the world is softer than water, yet nothing is better at wearing down the hard and strong.
— After Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 78One who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
— After Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 46Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
— Attributed to Lao TzuLife and death follow one another like the four seasons.
— After ZhuangziIt does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.
— Attributed to ConfuciusThe one who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
— Attributed to ConfuciusOur greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
— Oliver GoldsmithFall seven times, stand up eight.
— Japanese proverbA sorrow shared is a sorrow halved.
— ProverbShared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
— Swedish proverbThis too shall pass.
— Persian adageIt is always darkest just before the day dawneth.
— Thomas FullerYou cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.
— Chinese proverbBroken places, mended with gold, become part of the beauty.
— After the Japanese art of kintsugiMay the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face.
— Traditional Irish blessingUntil we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
— Traditional Irish blessingNo one ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and they are not the same person.
— After HeraclitusHowever long the night, the dawn will break.
— African proverbIf you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
— African proverbWhat soap is to the body, tears are to the soul.
— Jewish proverbThose we love don't go away; they walk beside us every day.
— Anonymous
Gentle guides