In life, each of us must sometimes play the fool.

More Yiddish Proverbs

• Better to die upright than to live on your knees.
• Prayers go up and blessings come down.
• You cannot hold your head high with your hand out.
• The rabbi drinks the wine and asks the others to be happy.
• If things are not as you wish, wish them as they are.
• Walk straight and you will not fall.
• Confidence is half of victory.
• When the time comes for you to live, there aren’t enough years.
• Many complain of their looks, but none of their brains.
• The nearer to the synagogue, the farther from God.
• Give me, Lord, my daily bread, I will get my own brandy.
• Money buys everything but good sense.
• When you have left a country, you have left everyone.
• With money in your pocket, you are wise, handsome and you sing well too.
• The heart of a man may be compared to a sausage; no one can tell exactly what’s inside.
• By day they’re ready to divorce, by night they’re ready for bed.
• Beware of still water, a still dog, and a still enemy.
• Who wins first, loses last.
• Let it be worse, so long as it’s a change.
• To be rich is not everything, but it certainly helps.
• You buy yourself an enemy when you lend a man money.
• The heaviest burden is an empty pocket.
• Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough but not baked in the same oven.
• Hope for miracles, but don’t rely on one.
• Better to hear curses than to be pitied.
• When a thief kisses you, count your teeth.
• Weeping makes the heart grow lighter.