Steven Howard

The Book of Asian Proverbs Steven Howard

The widespread interest in proverbs throughout the world is well documented. Ancient sayings and proverbs offer insights and understanding about many aspects of the cultural traditions of the societies from which they emanate. Additionally we find proverbs that have been borrowed or exchanged between similar languages and cultures, and thus reach us today through more than one language. This is particularly true within Asia, where common cultures and traditions often transcend political boundaries and lines drawn on maps. Proverbs usually originate from humble indigenous people, who handed down their wise sayings and life lessons from generation to generation and from century to century. But they also come from ancient thinkers like Buddha and Confucius. Ancient proverbs, particularly from Asia, tend to condense the experiences and habits of life into the fundamental lessons for our respective life journeys. As such, they enable us to set our personal bearings for traversing the vast realms and depths of our individual hopes, desires, dreams, plans, and pursuits. Truly inspirational proverbs reflect the deepest wisdom about life culled from the experiences, knowledge, and wisdom of past generations. They help us crystallize our own understanding of life; benefiting from the experiences, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom of those who have gone before us. When these pithy sayings and short maxims resonate with our personal inner beliefs and truths, we are uplifted, motivated, and strengthened in our resolve to hurdle the obstacles life throws at us and pursue our chosen paths. Author Steven Howard hopes that the Asian Proverbs in this book become inspirational dictums and teachings that open up new perspectives for readers that help them each reframe their personal experiences of life, reality, and spirituality. The Book of Asian Proverbs is part of Howard's popular Asian Words of Wisdom series of motivational and inspiration quotations and sayings.