Proverbs

Quote About How You Don’t Find What You Don’t Seek

“Take heed: you do not find what you do not seek.”
English Proverb

Beyond the Quote (56/365)

Obviously, right? Well… Maybe not so obvious. The concept is easily understood, of course. If you’re playing hide and seek with your kids, for example, and you send them off to hide, but you choose not to seek them out (that was mean of you), then they won’t be found. Until of course, they come out seeking you so that they can yell at you for not playing the game with them properly (and for being mean)! If you don’t seek, you won’t find. If you don’t go out looking for cars, you won’t find a car. If you don’t seek advice or help, you won’t find advice or help. If you don’t look for the good in people, you won’t find the good in people. Where this concept becomes, “not so obvious” is when you want to find but don’t know how to seek (or aren’t even aware that you’re not seeking).

“When it’s obvious that a goal cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goal, adjust the action steps.” ~ Chinese Proverb, via The Way of the Seal

What is our purpose here…?

“Only he who has the courage to write the word ‘end’ can find the strength to write the word ‘beginning.'” ~ Zen Proverb

Do not judge by appearances.

“If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” ~ Arabic Proverb

“May you always be blessed with walls for the wind. A roof for the rain. A warm cup of tea by the fire. Laughter to cheer you. Those you love near you. And all that your heart might desire.” ~ Irish Proverb

“Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” ~ Indian Proverb

“May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam… ” ~ Irish Proverb

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” ~ Irish Proverb

“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” ~ Chinese Proverb

“Often he who does too much does too little.” ~ Italian Proverb

Health is number 1.

“Everyone must row with the oars he has.” ~ English Proverb

“If a man works hard, the land will not be lazy.” ~ Chinese Proverb

“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” ~ Chinese Proverb

“There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.” ~ French Proverb

“Firelight will not let you read fine stories, but it’s warm and you won’t see the dust on the floor.” ~ Irish Proverb

“The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth.” ~ Chinese Proverb