PAPOU’S PROVERBS

Book excerpt: Papou's Proverbs – 1001 Grecian Words Of Wisdom, by George H. Malouf, is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece—a treasured collection of cultural sayings and proverbs, of the Hellenic world, that is absolutely fascinating. These popular sayings, full of wisdom denoting the life styles and habits of the Greek world, have been preserved throughout the ages; and handed down from one generation to the next. Many, of these proverbs ("ðáñïéìßåò—pa-ri-mih-yes) were repeated on the tongues of such savants as Aristotle, Socrates, Plato and others. They are timeless and universal in their content, meaning and usage, as they echoe the mannerism and habits of the Greek people in their daily life. These sayings were born out of the very fabric of life’s hardships, experiences, and from the effects of a diverse Hellenic culture. They bring to life the very essence of the core values of a civilization that has contributed so much to our modern world. They tend to clarify (for us) and educate us, by unveiling the curtain of obscurity and mystery, surrounding the day-to-day life-styles of the ancients. In many instances, they are as relevant today, as they were thousands of years ago, as in: "Ðïéüôçò ðáÑü ðïóüôçò" (Pyoh-tis pa-rah po-soh-tis) -- "Quality before quantity." Many of these relate to good advice, ethics and judgement. They can be applied, in many instances, on a daily basis, as in: "ÐÝíôå ìÝôÑá, ìßá êüâå" (Peh-nde meh-tra, mih-ya koh-ve) -- "Measure five times and cut once," "Ì’Ýíá óÌðüÑÏ äýÏ ôÑõãüÍéá" (M'eh-na sbah-ro dhih-yo tri-ghoh-n-ya) -- "Two birds with one stone," "1⁄4ëá êáëü, ôýëÏò êáëü" (Oh-la ka-lah, teh-los ka-loh) -- "All is well that ends well," and "Ðáí ÌÝôÑÏí üÑéóôÏí" (Pahn meh-tron ah-ris-ton) -- "Everything within its limits." As one continues to roam the pages of this wonderfully captivating collection, he/she will bear witness to the beauty in expression that continues to reverberate throughout the lives of the Hellenes. In the final instance, the reader will begin to comprehend the modern usage of these proverbs as they relate to today’s mannerism, wisdom and thought.