There's a bit I like in the Book of Proverbs:
There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
I also like this part:
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
The Greeks have some great proverbs! In the novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin the Greek father says, "Love is what's left when being in love burns away." I've learned several from the book Teach Yourself Ancient Greek, like "Forget the favour you did for someone else, but remember the favour that was done for you." And "Wealth without virtue is like a drinking party without company."
There are also some great Chinese proverbs, like "Our ancestors planted trees, and we sit in the shade." And "We take off our socks at night, not knowing if we'll put them on in the morning." A famous one is "He who rides a tiger doesn't dare get off!"
There's a Scottish proverb that goes "Cheat me once, shame on you. Cheat me twice, shame on me!" Another one is "Pride and poverty go together." (My mother knew that one!)
One proverb that puzzles me is "A rolling stone gathers no moss." Why should a stone want moss?
