(i) Rome was not Built in a Day

Big cities cannot be built very quickly. This actually refers to jobs that we undertake, our careers, our life and our achievements.

Just as Rome was not built in a day, so also our career, our life and our ambitions cannot be achieved in a short period of time. We must bear in mind, before we take up a project, that hard work has to go into making any endeavor a success. Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. We are aware of this, but do we honestly put in hard work or do we keep putting off our hard work for another day?

Rome took years to be built and once it was built it turned out to be a city beyond compare. Its beauty and its allure was incomparable. This was and is the result of dedication and hard work. We will achieve our goal and rise to the top only, and only if we understand the meaning of dedication, perseverance and hard work.

The three D’s must always be in our mind when we undertake a task to be done. The three D’s are- Dedication, Determination and Devotion. We will be able to touch the stars if we work hard and devote ourselves to the task ahead of us. We should not think of finishing our job in haste because haste makes waste. Only our determination and hard work will help us to achieve our aim in life.

(ii) Cut Your Coat According to Your Cloth

This proverb is something that all of us must bear in mind and abide by. The message that is given is that we must not spend beyond our means but be very careful with our expenditure.

The explanation is that if we give a piece of cloth to a tailor to stitch a coat, he will first measure the cloth and tell us whether it is possible, for him to make the coat we have asked for or not. If the cloth is insufficient, he will not be able to stitch the coat.

The same is the case with our income and expenses. We must always stay within the limits and not spend more than we can afford to or we will end up repenting. I know of a young man who wanted everything he saw advertised and he kept on buying the articles on installment-basis. Finally, he realized that the total amount he had to pay by way of the installments exceeded his income. The young man borrowed the money to make up the deficit.

How long could he go on in this way? His loans increased. People refused to give him more loans, since he could not pay back what he had already borrowed. Finally no one could wait to get the money they had given him on loan. He lost everything he had bought on installments and he landed in jail. His entire life had become one big mess – No money, no friends.

Could we too, end up like this young man? Yes, we could end up like this if we do not keep a track of the money we have and if we do not spend according to our means. This proverb teaches us to economies and to be frugal. We must learn how to manage our resources and live within our means. This will surely keep us out of trouble.

(iii) Empty Vessels Make the Most Sound

We have experienced this fact a number of times at home or even in school. When we strike on an empty vessel, we get a sonorous deep sound and if we strike on a vessel that is full of some liquid, we get only a dull thud. The above adage is metaphorically and literary correct.

We see around us people with no knowledge or very little knowledge making themselves heard above the rest and when they are questioned we realise that all is empty talk, they are just ignorant people who are trying to impress the crowd. Those who really have the knowledge are the ones who are not making a loud noise. They check out on the situation and open their mouths. What they say is the correct thing. They have knowledge and they use it wisely and correctly.

When we are in company, we must not try to prove to all present there, that we are the best, there is no one as knowledgeable as we are. We must use our etiquette and let the others have their say. We must realise that there are many who have more knowledge than we do.

It is very important to learn that when in company, we must give others the chance to have their say and not monopolies all the time such people are respected by others.

(iv) As you Sow, So shall you Reap

If we want to earn good things in life, we must do good things. If a farmer wants to cultivate rice, he will sow rice and not wheat. There was once a person who was not well to do and was really downtrodden and poor. This man had a very large heart. Whatever little food he got, he shared with others. There were times when he went without food, but he saw to it, that the beggars around had food to eat.

The neighbours observed this and decided to help this poor, warm-hearted person. They gave him an education. The man studied very hard and did well. The neighbours were very pleased. They gave him a job and he did very well. This man however never forgot the beggars and always bought them food and clothing.

Soon the poor man rose higher and higher and became the manager of the factory. He helped all the poor and even started a special “Society for the poor”. The man helped others and in return, he was helped. All of us must do well if we expect others to do good to us.