Book of Wise Sayings / Selected Largely from Eastern Sources

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21130

Title

Book of Wise Sayings / Selected Largely from Eastern Sources

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This pocket-volume collection gathers pithy aphorisms and moral maxims drawn largely from Eastern literature, including Indian epics, Buddhist texts, and Persian poetry, alongside select Western wisdom. Aimed at the young and the weary, it offers concise, timeless advice on virtue, contentment, and self-control.

Summary up to 500 words

W. A. Clouston's *Book of Wise Sayings* serves as a practical manual for navigating life's adversities, drawing a rich tapestry of wisdom from Eastern and Western traditions. The anthology integrates profound passages from the *Mahābhārata*, *Rāmāyaṇa*, *Panchatantra*, and the *Dhammapada* alongside works by Persian masters like Firdausī and Omar Khayyām, as well as insights from the Talmud, Chinese sages, and English authors such as Francis Bacon and William Hazlitt. Clouston argues that while proverbs may seem trivial to the young, they become vital guides in middle age or during hardship. The text posits that concise aphorisms often hold more practical value than lengthy discourses. The central themes revolve around the cultivation of a virtuous character, emphasizing the necessity of conquering internal passions and the dangers of avarice and pride. Clouston asserts that true happiness is found not in fleeting worldly pleasures or fame, but in inner peace, moral integrity, and contentment. A recurring motif is the transience of life; the book reminds readers that death is inevitable and that one should strive to leave behind a good name rather than material wealth. The collection highlights the spiritual unity of wisdom across cultures, noting striking parallels between ancient Greek, Hindu, and Christian teachings. Key virtues promoted include benevolence toward all regardless of status, the importance of silence over loquacity, and the reliability of friends tested by adversity. The text warns against the corrupting influence of evil company and the futility of excessive ambition. It encourages readers to govern their own minds, accept the inevitability of change, and practice frugality without falling into miserliness. Ultimately, the work encourages a life of resolute exertion, patience, and resignation, suggesting that as dark days are followed by bright ones, so too do times of adversity give way to prosperity. By offering a diverse collection of terse, convincing sentences, Clouston aims to provide a universal guide for living a dignified and ethical life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Quotations
• Maxims