Khmer Story Lovers 3

* Nothing is as long as a longing heart. Nothing is as strong as surging flood. Nothing is as heavy as the weight of gratitude. Nothing is as hard as doing a job set by one’s own wife.

* Those who boast to be perfect, have so many flaws. Those who boast to know a lot, know so little.

* Those who are strong shouldn’t overlook those who are weak, for the grass tied up together can be used as a rope to tie up an elephant. A king relies on the support of his people like a boat relies on the water.

* The rich should care for the poor’s wellfare if they are to live with each other in peace and harmony because the poor are like the garment worn upon the rich person’s body.  

* Big chickens or small chicken are alike, they all eat grains for food.

* Those who are dead but still alive are those who worked hard when they were alive and left their legacy to the people behind them.

* A man must beware of the woman with these five bad habits:

· gossiping or bad mouthing;

· showing off her beauty to attract men’s attention;

· spending time at the neighbours’ houses instead of doing work in her own home;

· doesn’t like cooking, making the husband do housework;

· eating before the husband.

This kind of woman, even if you already have ten children with, must be divorced.

* A woman must be careful with the man who has any of the following bad behaviours:

· a drunkard;

· a playboy who is not serious in holding any job;

· hanging with bad friends, behaving like a gangster;

· addicted to gambling;

· lazy, not having any skills.

This kind of man, if taken to be a husband, will bring no happiness to a woman.

* Losing a father is better than losing a mother. A baot sunk is better than a house burned down.

* Students are good because their teachers train them well. Children are good because their parents teach them well.

* The longest is measured by words. The shortest is measured by words.

* A house must be built to suit the preference or the needs of the people who live in it.

•  When holding the fish in the hand, one often complains that it is too small. When the fish escapes, one often exaggerates that they lose such a big fish.

• A man is like the soil. His wife is like the fertilizer. His friends and relatives are like the water.

• The clouds add beauty to the sky. Blossoms add beauty to the tree. The waves add beauty to the sea. Knowledge and intelligence add beauty to a person.

• A snake’s poison can be cured by an antidote. A bad person’s deed is hard to cure.

• Don’t just be blown away by the wind. Don’t be fooled by mocking or flattery words.

• Don’t cast the fishing line over a hill. Don’t do things without considering the elders or the powerful people.

• Though spending all his life with a wiseman, an idiot will never become wiser; just like the ladle never knows the taste of food.

• Rolling with a dog, it bounds to lick your mouth. Being too playful will reduce your respectability.

• Wealth, power, and reputation tend to waver; just like the sun never stays still in the east.

• A forest without animals, a country without wisemen, a place without religion, a home without young children, a world without the sun …, this kind of world will not survive for long.

• Don't abadon the winding road.  Don't just go straight and take a short cut.  Use the road that has already been cleared and walked by the elders.

• A person who lets learning opportunity pass by is like a monkey who obtains a diamond but doesn't know its value, so he tosses it around for fun.

(Khmer Story Lovers)

Those who despise being ignorant are likely to become wise.  Those who despise being poor are likely to become rich.

Delicious or not depends on the degree of hunger.  Good or bad depends on the people's view points.

Knowing a man by hanging out with him.  Knowing a place by visiting it.  Knowing yourself by giving yourself education.

Upon hearing the thunders, don't just throw away the old water in the jar for the rain might not come.

Fighting among each other in a family is like showing your naked body to the neighbours.  Fighting with each other in a country, is like showing the treasure map to the burglars. 

The ivy smothers the tree, the weed smothers the pond.

A single fragrant tree can perfume the whole forest.  A single person's good reputation can bring fame to the whole village or country.

Use the thorn to take out the thorn stuck in your feet.  Get your enemies to fight against each other for you. 

Having friends is better than having heartless relatives.

You cannot please every person.

(Khmer Story Lovers)