7 Celtic Proverbs About Life And Love
The Celtic tradition is one of the oldest and most extraordinary in the world. Its customs, legends and history, mainly disclosed in films and television series, arouse the interest of curious people. Celtic proverbs, in turn, remain present in popular ideas as a source of important wisdom.
Although their territories were mainly concentrated in Great Britain, their domains expanded, on the one hand, towards Eastern Europe and, on the other, into Spain and Portugal. The influence of the Celts on our idiosyncrasy is still maintained in regions such as Galicia, where the fortifications, called forts, whose function was to serve as a refuge in times of war, are preserved.
The Celts were passionate about the arts, which gave them a very special sensibility. From this sensitivity also comes knowledge, which gives rise to the famous Celtic proverbs. They stand out for their sincerity, their overwhelming honesty and, above all, their inner wisdom.
7 Celtic proverbs about life and love
1. A constant guest is never welcome
Being hospitable is a virtue. Abusing the host’s trust, a lack of politeness. If you are going to visit a relative or a friend, don’t forget to stay just the right time. You must not forget that you are in a home that is not yours and that you are therefore just a guest.
During the days or weeks you are there, try to help with all the tasks. Be kind and polite. And before you leave, present the host in some way. That way, you will show your gratitude and will be invited again in the future.
2. Sleep with dogs and you’ll wake up with fleas
This is one of the best known Celtic proverbs . Be careful about the people you relate to, especially if you know they aren’t good, especially if you confide in them that could backfire on you. We often tend to get close to people like that for various reasons, so in the social realm intelligence can also give us a big advantage.
If, after ignoring the warnings, you are prejudiced by your decision, you are responsible.
3. Against other people’s words of anger there is nothing better than a closed mouth
Against shouts and threats, the most elegant and sensible thing to do is not to counterattack. An angry person often sends messages without thinking about content, form or aspects. Don’t be tempted to put yourself on the same level and be cautious, especially if you value your relationship with this person.
Wisdom and knowing how to choose words are essential skills so that a heated discussion does not end up deviating to the personal terrain, thus causing deep wounds. In this sense, the act of restraining yourself demonstrates your nobility and your knowing how to be. If you don’t get down to the same level as the other person, it’s more likely that sooner or later they’ll join you. Plus, you will have earned her respect and admiration.
4. Some of the sweetest fruits grow among the sharpest thorns
We often feel discouraged about our life goals. We realize that we are trying our best, but we don’t see the results: we are a force that doesn’t generate work. The Celts tell us not to let this certainly difficult situation end our reserves of hope: with effort and constancy, positive results come, although they are not always what we expected.
Hard work is a great ally of luck. The path may be long and full of obstacles, but the reward will always be worth it. Think that inspirations are of little use if we are not working.
5. Look at the sun, but don’t turn away from the storm
We all have good times and bad times. As much as we desire the constant or the everyday, life has a dynamic nature. This is one of the Celtic proverbs that invites you to look forward to the future with optimism, but don’t feel too confident: the storm may surprise you. The Celts tell us to try to maintain a healthy balance between hope and prudence, between adventure and “if by chance,” so that growth is possible under any circumstances.
In this sense, the brave is not the one who ignores fears, but the one who acts overcoming them. He is the one who dares to measure the risks and act assuming the consequences of his decisions.
6. Forgive the mistake, but don’t forget it
Forgiving is for the wise, but forgetting is for the fools. Forgive anyone who has done any harm to you and forget the fact itself, but keep in memory what you learned. Especially if the harm done was unintentional, if the person asked for forgiveness or demonstrated an intention to repair the harm done.
Forgiveness will make you stronger and wiser at the same time. Use the lesson you learned to understand how others might feel when you make a mistake. Think that coexistence is above all an exercise in empathy, especially in error.
7. The truth is sometimes bitter. But like any medicine, you have to swallow it.
Sometimes we are so afraid of the truth that we prefer to listen to the lie . We deceive ourselves not to face situations… when, deep down, we know it’s a mistake. Accepting is the first step to change, to action, and even to resignation when we don’t have room to maneuver.
In the long run, if the lie is profound, it will end up doing more harm than the truth . Think about whether you prefer a sudden but accurate thud or a chronic wound that is difficult to heal. Your choices are how you exert some control over what happens to you.
These Celtic proverbs emphasize that the Celtic people were a people with classical reflections, understanding as classical what can hardly be done better. In addition to being smart strategists, they were pioneers in allowing women access to private property without depending on any man.
Today, his teachings gain more weight than ever and show us that tolerance, prudence and understanding of the world were already themes on which they reflected for over a thousand years, reaching conclusions and premises that are nonetheless compasses smart for today’s world.
Illustration 2: Ethan Mongin
