Lemonade from Lemons

I recently took a class on Biblical Wisdom Literature. These are the books in the Bible that are usually associated with King Solomon and include Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and some of the Psalms. This type of wisdom literature takes on two forms, contemplative and proverbial.* The contemplative form are longer writings that can be narratives or long dialogues, like the book of Job. The proverbial writings are what we find in the Proverbs, and they are often short, catchy sayings meant to give guidance in pursuit of a happy life. It is within these Biblical writings that the Bible meets the real world. This wisdom literature explores the every day life of the common person.

In my language learning experience I've come across many cultural proverbs in this African context. In deed it is no surprise that every culture has their own collection of pithy sayings meant to teach and guide. If you are from America, I'm sure you'll recognize some of these:

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
Actions speak louder than words.
The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? (Just kidding :)

A few proverbs that I've come across in my Pulaar language studies include:

Baasal warataa kono na tampina.
Poverty does not kill but makes one tired.

So tawi wuro ngo fof ko humde, muɓɓu gite haa koota.

If you go to a village where all are blind, keep close your eyes until you go home.

Kala ko njih ɗaa ɓenni kala ko soynaa yawti.

Everything that you see passes, everything that is seen passes.

Laawol jam woɗdaani.

The peaceful way is not far.

Demoowo so awi mudo soñi mudo hay so tikanaani Allah weltaaki.

A farmer who reaps what he sows might not be angry at God but he will not be happy.

Ko legal ɓoyee e mayo/ndiyam fof wontataa noro.

A stick that sits in the river/water won’t become a crocodile. **

It's interesting how our cultures often dictate how we express our understanding of wisdom, and there is certainly a universal desire to find a wise path through life. How do we deal with wealth verses poverty? How do we understand the advancement of the wicked and the demise of righteous? Why do we search for wisdom and understanding in the first place? These are not modern day questions that arise from the advancement of civilization. These are questions that have plagued man from the beginning. Egyptian proverbs found in "The Instruction of Kagemni" date back to 2500 BC and deal with some of the same topics found in the Bible. In my research, I was amazed to find that even the book of Job is not a unique piece of literature. "Man and His God" is a Sumerian work also dating back to 2500 BC, which strongly resembles the story of Job. In deed, "there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

I'll end with this thought. Every culture searches for the way of righteousness, the path of least resistance, or the straight and narrow road, but the wisdom of man will never lead to true happiness no matter what culture is stems from. "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4, NIV).

* Ellington, Scott. 2008. Wisdom Literature. Springfield, MO: Global University.

** https://maddyandpaulinsenegal.wordpress.com/pulaar-proverbs/