I thought I'd try my hand at writing proverbs...those pithy aphorisms King Solomon and Ben Franklin were given to penning. These are liberally seasoned with simile and metaphor baked in savory verse.
Care fetters the mind
as shackles, the imprisoned bind
but expression frees the heart
as manacles, a goaler's key
Doubt sows tares in good intentions
and beats plowshares into swords
whilst faith tends the Gardener-given patch
gladly, gently, peaceably, and with love
Deception perverts truth
as a wasting sickness cripples and deforms
yet honesty gives wings to the earthbound
to take itself heavenward
Gloom wrenches the mind
like stones, causing the foot to stumble
but a smile clears the path
and helps the sojourner on her way
Loneliness corrodes the heart
like acid on a blooming jonquil
but friendship is heart's-ease and balm
soothing the sadness and meeting the need
Fear corrupts the soul
like mildew in rising damp
while trust dries up encroaching mold
blowing it nowhere to harm no one
Strife ignites the stomach and
heats the blood, like flame to tinder
laughter, also like conflagration,
spreads and warms without burning.
Anger charges the choleric to
take up arms and duel to death
but tolerance inspires the sanguine
to put passion to healing
Hatred impales, decapitates, silences
like a guillotine or pikestaff
while Love embraces, enfolds, protects
Care fetters the mind
as shackles, the imprisoned bind
but expression frees the heart
as manacles, a goaler's key
Doubt sows tares in good intentions
and beats plowshares into swords
whilst faith tends the Gardener-given patch
gladly, gently, peaceably, and with love
Deception perverts truth
as a wasting sickness cripples and deforms
yet honesty gives wings to the earthbound
to take itself heavenward
Gloom wrenches the mind
like stones, causing the foot to stumble
but a smile clears the path
and helps the sojourner on her way
Loneliness corrodes the heart
like acid on a blooming jonquil
but friendship is heart's-ease and balm
soothing the sadness and meeting the need
Fear corrupts the soul
like mildew in rising damp
while trust dries up encroaching mold
blowing it nowhere to harm no one
Strife ignites the stomach and
heats the blood, like flame to tinder
laughter, also like conflagration,
spreads and warms without burning.
Anger charges the choleric to
take up arms and duel to death
but tolerance inspires the sanguine
to put passion to healing
Hatred impales, decapitates, silences
like a guillotine or pikestaff
while Love embraces, enfolds, protects
repairs, rebuilds, resurrects and renews
as Man, once dead, lives again
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