I read a book once about the Amish and their traditions, and how they say goodbye. , I really wish I could remember the title (I've read many such books). The book's author wrote that the Amish don’t really say goodbye, instead, they have a Pennsylvania Dutch term that translates roughly into something like “see you around again. “ That phrase undergirds their firm belief in heaven and that we all see one another again someday anyway. It’s such a comforting thought
In a world increasingly fraught, fractured, and overrun by technology, do the Amish cling to some old, timeless wisdom that could do us all some good?
I’m not sure if they do or not. Over all the years I've spent with the Amish, a few things have become clear: they’re just like us. For the most part. There are Amish people that are thoughtful and profound and deep thinkers. There are other Amish people that don’t think much beyond their front porch
Still, you don’t buck trends in technology as successfully as they do without some basic pillars of wisdom and guideposts to lead the way. I've heard some wonderful nuggets of Amish wisdom, Amish sayings that can guide through life.
Here are a few Amish sayings and proverbs that I have picked up over the years.
As a journalist, words have real meaning to me. Words can illuminate, motivate, inspire, and hurt. Words are slings and arrows, but they’re also rainbows and elevators. Words can lift people up.
Here are some Amish sayings and Amish wisdom I've collected over the years. Now, are all of these Amish in origin? Who really knows? Some, I am sure, have been adopted by the Amish as their own. Others, I are probably purely Amish.
📜 10 Amish Sayings
And keep in mind that, historically, the Amish have been a very conversational culture. Neighbors chat over the back fence. Wisdom gets passed and imparted. Conversation is important to the Amish, but it is not the same as conversation in the English-speaking world. Amish conversation is often slow-paced and indirect, and it is used to build relationships and to share information, it is not intended to spread gossip. Amish people - in general -believe that conversation should be used to build community and to promote peace and harmony.
⚖️ Amish Sayings About Honesty
"A clear conscience is a soft pillow." This saying is pretty self-explanatory. Doing what you think is right, being transparent, and having integrity makes it easy to sleep at night.
"Honesty is like a straight line. It may not be the shortest way, but it is the best way." This saying suggests that honesty is always the best course of action, even if it is not the easiest. And I will say that - for the most part - in my dealings with the Amish honesty has been a cornerstone.
🛠️ Amish Sayings About Solving Problems
"A stitch in time saves nine." We've all heard this one, although it isn't used as much anymore. This means that it's better to fix a problem when it's small, rather than waiting until it becomes a bigger problem. Geez, I could stand to follow that advice sometimes.
"Blowing at the smoke doesn't help if the chimney is plugged." Like the stitch in time this means that you can't solve a problem by ignoring it. You have to address the root cause of the problem in order to fix it. The Amish are very practical problem solvers in this way. As a general rule, they are good at solving issues at the root.
“If you want a place in the sun, you will have to expect some blisters.” This saying means that if you want to achieve something, you have to be willing to work hard. There will be challenges along the way, but if you persevere, you will eventually reach your goals.
🌅 Amish Sayings About Living in the Moment
"The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to live today well." This means that it's important to focus on the present moment and to make the most of each day. The Amish are - and these are broad-stroke generalizations - culturally much better at "living in the moment" than most non-Amish.
"Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow." I love this one. Geez, I know people who spend so much time worrying about what might happen, they forget what is happening. The saying suggests that it is important not to worry about things that haven't happened yet.
No winter lasts forever. No spring skips it's turn. If things are bad now, they'll get better. Be patient and don't waste time worrying about tomorrow, it will come.
❄️ Amish Sayings About The Weather
Not all Amish sayings have to do with honesty and ethics, some just have to do with the weather. Amish farmers still have to be their own meteorologists, at least more conservative Amish without access to media.
"If the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass. When grass is dry at morning light, look for rain before the night." This proverb tells us that if there is dew on the grass in the morning, it is likely to be a dry day. However, if the grass is dry in the morning, it is likely to rain later that day. This is an interesting one. You'd almost think dew would mean more humidity which would mean rain, but this proverb supposes the opposite!
“Clear Moon, frost soon.” When the night sky is clear, Earth’s surface cools rapidly—there is no cloud cover to keep the heat in. If the night is clear enough to see the moon and the temperature drops enough, frost will form. This saying is most often uttered while awaiting the first or final frosts of the season. Obviously this saying does work
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