Footnotes From Our Ancestors
A collage series responding to proverbs collected from strangers. Part archive, part conversation, part poetic game, Footnotes From Our Ancestors seeks out the small phrases people carry with them. The project uses proverbs as prompts for connection, recognising that meaning is often lost, changed, or reshaped through linguistic and cultural translation.
Collected from Ben
Canadian
After the game, the King and the Pawn go into the same box.
Meaning: We are all equal, status shouldn't matter.
Collected from Roddey
Scottish
When you eat with the devil make sure to bring a long spoon.
Meaning: Be wary when dealing with problematic people.
Collected from Maja
Australian
Don't piss down my leg and call it rain.
Meaning: Don't bullshit me
Collected from John.J
English
Don't burn a candle from both ends.
Meaning: Avoid burnout.
Collected from Ben
Canadian
Grace is a virtue and virtue is a grace and grace is a person with mud on her face.
Meaning: Grace exists in imperfection and virtue exists within flaws.
Collected from Marit
Dutch
Don't bring water to the sea.
Meaning: Don't partake in unnecessary task.
Collected from Maru
Spanish
The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.
Meaning: Highlights the importance of wisdom and age.
Collected from John.R
Irish
What is seldom is wonderful.
Meaning: Less of things are better.
Collected from Thurgga
English
Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown.
Meaning: Higher positions come with more responsibilities.
Ismile
Turkish
A fish rots from the head down.
Meaning: An issue with a team starts with a poor leader.
Collected from Thurgga
Chinese
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.
Meaning: Education is powerful.
Collected from Amal
Arabic
If you mingle with oats you will be picked at.
Meaning: Choose wisely who you hang out with.
Collected from Hope
Japanese
They have a cat on their head.
Meaning: They look innocent but they are not innocent.
Collected from Bailey
Italian
Who goes slowly, goes safely and goes far.
Collected from Abdu
Arabic
You don’t need to show a divorced person the way to their parents’ house.
Meaning: Don’t state the obvious.
Collected from Ben
Māori
Seek the treasure of your heart. If you bow, let it be to a lofty mountain.
Meaning: Only allow something impossibly unmovable stop you.
Collected from Sabina
Croatian
Better to have a sparrow in your pocket then a pidgeon on a branch.
Meaning: It is better to have a small thing than a bigger thing you might never get.
Collected from Vasilia
Greek
Even if she wants to hide, happiness won't let her.
Meaning: Even in hard times happy moments will happen.
Collected from Marcell
Spanish
Life without craziness is not a life.
Collected from John.J
English
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Meaning: Don't go looking for trouble.
DO YOU KNOW A PROVERB?
You are encouraged to read the proverbs and contribute one. If possible, include the following information: your name, the proverb in its original language, a translation , where you believe it originates from, and its meaning. Send it to vthurgga@gmail.com.