Jewish proverbs are not just cute things your Jewish grandmother would say. They are brimming with wisdom and insight and advice. In this article you’ll find over 35 Hebrew proverbs and sayings that can help you focus on what’s important in life.
If you want to learn how to read this Hebrew proverbs in original Hebrew form, then check out my list of free resources to learn ancient Hebrew.
This list is organized into the following categories:
Jewish Proverbs About Life
Jewish Proverbs About Wisdom
Jewish Proverbs About Money
Jewish Proverbs About Serving God
Jewish Proverbs About Life
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
~Koheles 3:1-8
A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
~Koheles 1:4
All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
~Koheles 1: 7-9
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
~Koheles 9:10
Two are better than one,because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him that is alone when he falls, for he does not have another to help him up.
~Koheles 4:9-12
A good name is better than precious oil.
~Koheles 7:1
A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness
~Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
Jewish Proverbs About Wisdom
In much wisdom is much grief:
and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.
~Koheles 1:18
A wise man hears one word and understands two.
~Yiddish Proverb
Who is the wise one? He who learns from all people.
Who is the rich one? He who is happy with his lot.
~Pirkei Avos 4:1
The path to wisdom is silence
~Pirkei Avos 4:2
Silence is better for the wise
~Mishlei 17:28
Jewish Proverbs About Money
He who gathers little by little will multiply his means
~Mishlei 13:11
It is better to have only a little with peace of mind,
than be busy all the time with both hands
trying to catch the wind.
~Koheles 4:6
More wealth, more worries
~Pirkei Avos 2:7
Hebrew Proverbs About Serving God
On the day of good be with the good; on the day of adversity, ponder. God has made one corresponding to the other so that in the end, man will find nothing but Him ~Koheles 7:14
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him
~Mishlei 30:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely upon your understanding. In all your ways know Him and He will make your paths straight.
~Mishlei 3:5-6
Man tracht un Got Lacht. Man plans and God laughs
~Yiddish proverb
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord prepares his step.
~Mishlei 16:9
Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed.
~Mishlei: 16:3
Before destruction comes pride, and before stumbling [comes] a haughty spirit.
~Mishlei 16:18
If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I?
~Pirkei Avos 1:14
Say little and do much, and receive every person with a pleasant countenance
~Pirkei Avos 1:15
Do not assuage the anger of your friend at the time of his anger.
~Pirkei Avos 4:18
Any love that is dependent on something, when that thing expires, the love expires. But [a love] that is not dependent on something, will endure.
~Pirkei Avos 5:16
Let your friend’s honor be more dear to you than your own.
~Pirkei Avos 2:15
In a place where there are no worthy men, strive to be worthy.
~Pirkei Avos 2:5
Say little and do much.
~Pirkei Avos 1:15
Where is God to be found? In the place where He’s given entry.
~Kotzker Rebbe
Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place.
~Pirkei Avos 2:5
The day is short, the labor vast, the toilers idle,
the reward great, and the Master of the house is insistent.
~Pirkei Avos 2:20
Love your neighbor as yourself
~Vayikrah 19:18
Do not look at the vessel, only what is in it
~Pirkei Avos 4:26
There is no judgment on a person only his actions at that moment
~Rosh Hashana 16:2
Don’t put a stumbling block before the blind
~Leviticus 19:14
There is no man that does not have his hour
and no thing that does not have its place
~Pirkei Avos 4:3
Are there any Jewish proverbs, Hebrew proverbs, or Yiddish sayings you heard when you were growing up that aren’t on this list? Let us know in the comment section.
