Chinese Proverbs

There seems to be something so simple and direct about Chinese Proverbs. As such, I know I have gained from listening. I think this may be the core of interfaith dialogue: to listen to the other, and find that you know yourself and your beliefs more deeply.

For instance:

Chinese Prov.: When someone shares something of value with you, and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.

Christian Learning: A reminder that this is the basic premise of Evangelism. We have had something so valuable shared with us, and we have a moral obligation to share it with others.

Chinese Proverb: Take everything with a grain of salt.

Christian Learning:

Matthew 5.13:

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

We must as the salt of the earth be in everything, following the admonition to "be in the world, not of it". As such we can change the entire complexion of the world, as a mustard seed grows into a giant bush, where the birds take refuge, or yeast adds leaven to entire barrels of flour. (Mt 13)