Call a spade a spade

The proverb is very simple but speaks a lot. If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, it means that the person is frank and outspoken. He will express himself and speak frankly about anything and anyone.

Today the world is full of persons having honey coated tongues. Whenever asked for a frank opinion, we will think twice as; if I speak frankly that person may not digest the fact and he may not like it. So in pretence we hide the truth and spell out lies. In practical life we should have the guts to spell out the truth. The listener may not like it, but the truth remains the truth. Today he may not be able to digest the truth but later on he will realize that the truth helped him from falling in chaos. This is especially true when a close accomplice asks an opinion as he is unable to take a decision. Presenting a rosy picture will keep him happy and contented in the short run. However the truth will help him in the long run.

A spade here could mean a shovel which is used for digging or spade is found in playing cards. However, there is a reference whereby the spade in playing card was a term for Black people in United States. Hence sometimes in this proverb there is a racist origin which means calling a spade a spade refers to the black. However, we prefer to keep such opinions aside and do not consider them relevant.

In the real context one has to understand the true meaning of the proverb and practice it in its true sense. Come what may learn to speak the truth, be frank and put forth your opinion, however avoid being too blunt. Try to be genuine and convey your true opinions. Such people are always respected and held in high honor. Sugar coated persons are not trusted much. Hence learn to call a spade a spade.

Curiosity killed the cat but the cat has nine lives

To understand the literal meaning of the proverb it is necessary that we break the proverb into two; 'A cat has nine lives' means every human being gets plenty of chances in his life. The second part 'Curiosity killed the cat ' means we should not interfere into the affairs of other people as we may get into trouble.

From the Egyptian civilization cats have been considered as a holy animal and has also been worshipped by many civilizations. Considering most animals wild or domesticated, cat is very different from most animals. The cat is very agile and it can jump from very high places and can adjust its body posture in such a way that when it jumps it does not hurt himself. It was a belief in ancient times that the cat has many lives as it loses one of its life when it jumps from such heights. Cats climb high trees and roofs, they run in front of vehicles and jump from high places , they do not even hesitate doing such stunts and after all these acrobatics they walk calmly in a cool pace.

They have nine lives means they cheated death eight times before. Only this feline is having this distinctive feature. The number nine has been referred to, does not literally mean nine. The number nine has been deliberately used in the proverb as it is a mystic number which invokes religion and tradition.

Now we relate this to human beings, God ensures that everyone is given opportunities in his life. Sometimes we escape an accident , we may escape near death situations, we may escape being caught or punished . However even after such opportunities we tend to be curious and put our noses into things we are not concerned which may get us into trouble. Human beings by very nature are curious and we unnecessarily interfere in things which is not our concern. Unlike cats we do not have nine lives. Hence it is better not to poke our nose and interfere in things in which we are not concerned. As being curious we may be killed, here killed literally does not mean loss of life but may mean disaster and sufferings.

Charity begins at home

This is a very popular saying and is very commonly used in day to day communication. Charity is a kind act. It is our moral duty to help our fellow beings when they are in need. A person lives in a society; he can't enjoy the comforts when his fellow beings are suffering around him. It is right that one should help others but help should be given to those who actually need and deserve it. This proverb tells us that first of all one should help the nearest needy person then one should go further.

Nowadays we see that hundreds of social reformers are trying to remove the ills of society, however there are ills and malpractices right in their homes or under their nose. Many women reformers preach about various ill treatments given to daughter in law's however, we find most of such atrocities in their own houses. They preach and that there should be good relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-raw. But there is always darkness under the lamp. The woman preaches in the society, but one can find the opposite picture at their own homes. When they themselves quarrel with each other how can they preach others? In the same way some parents preach that children these days are following bad habits, however their own children may go astray. They take drugs, smoke and practice other bad things. All the great leaders and reformers preach against dowry system and they themselves give dowry from the back door. That's why it is said that charity must begin from their own houses. First of all preachers should bring reforms in their own homes and then they should try to reform others. Being charitable is not bad but be charitable at the home first.

It is easy to preach about doing good things and good deeds. Most people do such things to show off and impress others, but when it comes to doing good deeds to persons who are very close i.e. our family members, relatives, colleagues, employees, servants and others closely connected, they treat them badly.

A person's first obligation is to help his own family and closely associated persons before he can begin talking of helping others. Hence the proverb is very relevant and a guiding lesson to humanity.

Charity is universal duty

Charity towards human beings who are suffering is a moral duty of each one of us. To give charity to others one has to be kind-hearted. Polite and soft hearted people only can help the suffering people. Others can't do. Nowadays everywhere we see pitiable conditions of human beings. All people live in the society together. When someone is suffering how can others make merry and enjoy. So it should be the duty of those who can afford to help those who are in need.

It is only through charity and kindness that bonds of love and affection can be strengthened. These virtues should be cultivated in the hearts of people. It is said that there are virtues which are always inborn, they can't be taught outwardly. Those who have fear of God serve the distressed people the best. If man acquires such virtues only then he is known as a social animal otherwise he is lesser than an animal.

There are many students who are brilliant but can't pay their fees. They must be helped by the well to do teachers and sincere people outside the institution, so that they continue their studies. 

In the present world we see a lot of air strikes and war going on. We as fellow human beings should be united and come forward to help in whatever way possible to the civilians and common brethren who are suffering daily in the war affected areas. 

The same situation is viewed when some natural calamity befalls any country, other countries immediately send help and medical aid in whatever way possible to help the persons affected and suffering. It is this feeling of kindness that kindles in the hearts of the people. So they get ready to send their aids to them. This is because charity is a universal duty of all. To be charitable is the best virtue of man's character. This proverb thus advises us that Charity is a universal duty and nobody should shirk away from this duty. Only then we can make the world a nice place to live in. 

Children and fools tell the truth

It is a normal human tendency to teach young children that they should always speak the truth otherwise God will punish them . Children therefore always speak the truth. It is their innocence that is looked upon in this proverb , here again reference is made of fools, they have no thinking process, they are as innocent as children.  

Certain circumstances are encountered in life whereby speaking the truth may not be advisable and the same may cause harm. It is here that the proverb holds true that it is sometimes advantageous to lie. Children and fools do not have a well developed thinking process and hence they do not know that it is sometimes advantageous to lie.

This proverb may sound as simple and easy as it states. However this is not always true. Children lie quite often, this they will aptly prove that they have learnt it from their parents, media and other children. The reason why they lie can be numerous; for pleasure, to get out of trouble and punishment, or just as a way of experimenting. As stated earlier their thinking process is not fully developed and they cannot think as aptly as an adult. 

We are aware that lying is wrong still at times we may have to lie which may not be wrong. A lie to the boss for leave, a lie about spending habits to our spouse to keep up a healthy relation and certain other lies. Any lie by which we are not hurting someone or not causing harm to someone but the lie helps us at a personal level is acceptable. One cannot always speak the truth. Here the justification for the lie should be adequate. Research has found that human beings tend to lie. 

Hence the proverb aptly holds true that children and fools always tell the truth.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Cleanliness is considered to be the most important part of man's life. Cleanliness is a must for human beings. Here cleanliness does not mean just external cleanliness but also cleanliness for the inner soul. God is thought to be the most sacred and the purest being. So a person who is pure and clean in body and heart is considered to be next to God. Godliness is to be pious and religious. Purity must be an essential part of man's life. Only that man is known the man of character who keeps his image clean. Clean image is based on the good character of man. Character of a person depends upon the purity of his thoughts, words and deeds.

A godly person is an embodiment of all virtues. A person who is outwardly very clean and inwardly poisonous can be the most dangerous person for the society. If only by taking bath one thinks that he is clean and next to God then all the creatures which always remain in the water should thought to be next to godliness. Outwardly cleanliness must be an index of inward purity. Religious rituals should not be performed externally or verbally. It should be performed in practice.

Cleanliness gives a man mental peace and happiness. Happiness is again a bliss of God. Only the clear hearted persons can enjoy the bliss of God.

God has created such beautiful nature and abundance of beauty is visible. It is we as human beings have played with nature and made the environment unclean, dirty and polluted. To be clean can be interpreted as a person being clean, keeping his vicinity and environment clean and finally a person's soul i.e. inner self clean and free of sins. It is here that God inhabits. This proverb should be followed by each one of us then only we will achieve salvation and happiness in life. We should cleanse our body , mind and soul and of course our environment and vicinity.

Covet all lose all

This proverb is very relevant and says a lot. The word covet means to desire something wrongfully. The proverb simply states that if a person desires to possess more than what he is entitled to, he will lose everything.

It is human tendency to be greedy and his desires are endless. Human beings are never happy and satisfied and he will try to acquire more and more by hook or crook. In this pursuit he may acquire possessions that belong to somebody else which he wrongfully acquires. Wrongfully desiring something is called covet. Even the Bible resents this. Acquiring another's possession forcefully will never remain with him. He will lose all this coveted possessions.

There are enough folktales written time and again by many wise story writers which explain this proverb; the story about the fisherman's greedy wife, the story of the woodcutter. All these stories only go in depth to explain to us that one must not be greedy and go on amassing wealth which one truly does not deserve.

The greedy person will lose everything that he has amassed in this manner. Hence this proverb is a teaching for each one of us. Be happy and contented with what you have and don't be greedy in life. A man will get the pleasure of the possessions he owns rightfully. Moreover he will be a happy and a contented man. It has been proved time and again that a person who is not greedy in life will be contented and a satisfied person and will attain salvation.