Question of the Week: What words of wisdom have been passed down in your family?

Question

Have any words of wisdom been passed down in your family? 

Please tell us about them with an answer below. You could also answer on Facebook or use the question image to share your answer with friends and family on any social media.

Comments

Share the , spread the word!

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Answer 1

Greetings everyone - my military family said to never forget those that came before, they led the way for the rest of us to follow.

Comments

Thank you Clara for the star.  Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas

Answer 2

- Treat people the way you want them to treat you.

- Never make someone a priority who only makes you an option.

- Pay your bills and stay out of debt.

- Pursue hobbies and interests outside of work.

Answer 3

It will feel better when it quits hurtin' and crying makes it hurt worse.

When seeking advice, Don't ask someone who is going to do something, ask someone who has already done it.

Good things come to those who wait but, it is usually leftovers of those who hustle.

Answer 4

I was told from a young age, that if you don’t ask then you don’t get, but when you do ask, do so respectfully and politely.

Also if we had little knock, we were told that a little bit of pain never hurt anyone.

And be nice and respectful to people when you are on your way up, because you may meet some of the same people when you’re on your way back down.

And finally never say can I have, instead say May I have.

Answer 5

From the Girl Scouts: Leave a place better than you found it.

Comments

Boy Scouts also!

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Rick, I read your profile and saw that you earned Eagle Scout rank. 

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Thanks Alexis!

Quite a pretty picture your grandmother won for.  I visited my grandparents once during my college years and found my grandmother was cleaning up old pictures.  She was very surprised I wanted to keep one of her as a young woman.  I'm glad I did, otherwise it might have been lost...

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Rick, I really try to add photos of people when they were young. 

Glad you were able to save the photo of your grandmother. 

I never thought my sister-in-law looked anything like her grandmother until I saw a photo of her grandmother when she was 20. It was a real surprise. 

Answer 6

Among the many sayings and admonitions of my family, here is one: If you want something done right, do it yourself!

Comments

I once had a boss that always said there is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

Answer 7

Great Aunty Gladys: "I want" gets nothing.

Great Aunt Wendy: Never let the mere truth get in the way of a good story.

Grandmother Meena: I would rather be an example TO my grandchildren than an example FOR them.

Grandmother Nana: There's none so blind as them as won't see. You'll get nowt for nowt and precious little for saxpence.

Father Iain: When they start charging admission it stops being a "sport" and starts being "entertainment".

Answer 8

never put 2 pounds of poop in a 1 pound bag. Ben gorley SR.

Answer 9

From Mom: Walking, doing, bending, stretching, vim, vigor, fitness.

From Dad: When in doubt, look it up.  When unhappy, look up something new or something loved.

Answer 10

From my mother's mother:
It's just as easy to marry a rich man as a poor one. 

From my father's mother:
If you marry for money, you'll earn it.

Comments

....and the rich man's busy dancing while the poor man pays the band.

Answer 11

My maternal grandmother: Always buy a good bed and a good pair of shoes. You'll always be in one or the other.

Answer 12

I pass this one down to my kids and grandkids when they won't speak up to tell me what they want: 

You Snooze; You Loose! 

Just saw this one on a sign at a local high school: 

Don't give past failures a second glance!   Good advice!

Answer 13

A former boss told me "I don't believe in weaknesses, just undeveloped strengths," focus on the positive not the negative.  I used this in all my employment interviews going forward when asked a typical HR question of "describe some strengths and weaknesses".

Answer 14

Being a family genealogist and a member of the Guild of One Name studies, I would tell my family to spread the word to teach your children about their family history.  

I myself know that I would have been more interested in geography, American History and other subjects in school because now I do know my ancestors proven by being a member of the Daughhters of the American Revolution, as member of the Clan Hunter, and having my DNA done.

Having Sir Walter Scott, and many other Scottish ancestors one specifically having the title of Royal Huntsman for the Kings of Scotland.  

My own parents died not knowing any of our heritage.  If they had known, I myself would have been more interested in their stories of their families in my younger years.  Now is to late to ask!  

Yours Aye,

Carol HUNTER Sullivan

Answer 15

Lache pas la patate.

Answer 16

From my maternal grandmother: Always put a clean pair of underwear on every day. You never know when you'll end up in the hospital.

From my mother: You have not lived a successful day unless you have learned something new that day. So you will live and learn but die and forget it all.

Comments

It sounds like something out of a Bill Cosby monologue. LOL!

"I hope, for my sake, that if you're ever in an accident, you have on clean underwear, because first you say it, then you do it."

"Did he have on clean underwear?"

"Yes, we found it in the glove compartment."

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I was told that a family member who was in a serious accident started laughing uncontrollably in the ambulance.  They eventually  stopped laughing long enough to say. “ after all these years  Ma’s nagging about  clean   underwear has finally paid off!”

Answer 17

From my fathers family:

"There is no such thing as "cant do it".  

The imposssible might take a few days, cant we do today"

Answer 18

This might sound corny, but words of wisdom from both my parents is to not let anyone dictate to you what  part of your heritage you should identify with.  I identify as a mixed kid. 

Answer 19

From my mother:  "Two wrongs don't make a right"

Answer 20

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsehistory/2013/12/10/the-gate-of-the-year-minnie-louise-haskins-1875-1957/