The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke: "Sociology, Adages and Say'ns"

Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill.

Western Illinois had another good weekend, this past weekend, with the corn husk'n contest and Heritage Trail events that took place. I'm hope'n ever one had a good time. We have a lot ta be thankful fer around these parts.

Most schools teach sociology Heritage Trail Lesson of sorts and many times rural sociology is hard to come alive ta reluctant "modern" students. Oft the most profound lectures about rural values and beliefs generally fall on "deaf" ears.

One way perhaps ta help young folk understand the importance of rural values and how they are passed down across generations is ta utilize the adages and say'n the old folk passed on ta us years ago. There was generally one fer every situation and the folk of yesteryear used them fluidly.

Fer the older readers of this column, relax and recall the voices of your parents and grandparents as they advised you on be'n successful, how ta treat others, or why ta save money. Close yer eyes and dwell on the maxims about life that they shared with you.

Fer a start here are some words of wisdom and advice that highlight rural values of yesteryear that folks instilled in their children. It kinda brings inta focus how values are provided across generations. Many of these values persist even today in rural society.

The values of hard work, honesty, integrity and faith are common elements in many of the adages that are brought ta mind. In my day, rural culture was an oral one in which stories, metaphors and adages played a big role in the way young folk was "brung up". These values that was learned in this way in our childhood are the ones we pass on ta our children and grandchillens. Those who have read this column fer a spell know this ta be true as different ones are used from time ta time.

So, here are a few of em fer your memory or just fer fun. I'm a hope'n they bring back a memory or two and that ya enjoys em!

• Even a blind pig will find an acorn once in a while
• An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
• Early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy, and wise.
• A stitch in time saves nine.
• The early bird gets the worm.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• Don't kick a gift horse in the mouth.
• Don't judge a book by its cover.
• You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
• Experience is the best teacher, it ought to be, it is the most expensive.
• The fruit never falls far from the tree.
• Where there is a will, there is a way.
• Birds of a feather flock together.
• Make hay while the sun shines.
• Haste makes waste.
• An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.
• Idleness is the root of all evil.
• Choose your love and love your choice.
• In some situations it is better to remain silent and let others think you are a fool than to speak out and erase all doubt.
• A man of words and not deeds is like a garden full of weeds.
• As you make your bed, so must you lie in it..
• A fool and his money are soon parted.
• There is nothing common about common sense.
• Hope for the best, get ready for the worst and then take what God chooses to send.
• Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
• In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
• You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs.
• Let sleeping dogs lie.
• What is learned in the cradle lasts "til the grave.
• Get up with the rooster and go to bed with the cows.
• He squealed like a pig caught under a gate.
• It's a hard row to hoe.
• You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
• We're eating high on the hog.
• We are in high cotton.
• They have more faults than a pine board has knots.
• He's blinking his eyes like a bullfrog in a hailstorm.
• It's harder for some to deal with success than adversity.
• He's too big for his britches.
• Blessed are those who run in circles for they shall be called wheels.
• He's a chip off the old block.
• Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
• Things that go around come around.
• Prediction is very difficult especially about the future.
• The safe way ta double your money is ta fold it over once and put it back in your pocket.
• He is like some sherry-crazed old dowager who has lost the family silver at roulette, and who now decides ta double up by betting the house as well.
• There are no rules here - we're try'n ta accomplish somethi'n.
• Always, be kind, for everone is fight'n a hard battle.
• There are plenty of ways ta get ahead. The most basic is ta spend less than ya earn.
• Don't judge each day by the harvest ya reap, but by the seeds that ya plant.
• Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify. Simplify.
• There is more ta life than increase'n its speed.
• The greatest mistake a man can ever make is ta be afraid of make'n one.
• Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
• Luxury: the lust fer comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house as a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master, and then a monster.
• The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to plan how ta get money without earn'n it.
• Fer a greedy man even his tomb is too small.
• Work is good provided ya do not forget ta live.
• We make a live'n by what we gets but we make a life by what we give.
• The best portion of a good man's life -- his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness.

There ya have it then. I have many more but that's all the room fer this column. let's see if'n ya can bring out of your memory banks some of your own and share em with the Quill.

Hope'n ta see ya in church this week.

Wherever ya is, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"

Keep on Smile'n

Catch Ya Later

BARNYARD BRUKE