Wisdom of the Elders (OR Things My Momma Used to Say)

Austin, Texas
November 10, 2020 9:59am CST
I know that we all have this in common. There is an expression that your mother used to always say or if not your mom, an older wiser person. Their intent is genuine and they mean to guide on to the right path of life so you don't make a fool out of yourself. I grew up in a family of 9: 7 boys, 2 girls. My mother used this expression with my brothers more often than she used it with my sister or me. It's not a quote from the Bible, but I'm sure it's based.on the scriptures. When we thought we were being slick and we could get away with something, she would always say: "Child. Don't let your wooden god fool you!" I had not thought about this in a while but I had a dream and my mom was in it. My mom has been gone for almost 40 years. When I opened my eyes that expression popped into my head. What about you? Was there a zippy one-liner admonition that your elders repeated often while you were growing up to keep you on the straight and narrow way?
16 people like this
15 responses
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Nov 20
"There are people starving in other countries".
7 people like this
• Austin, Texas
13 Nov 20
This one is a "classic".
2 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
18 Nov 20
My Dad used to say that to me all the time
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Nov 20
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
17 Nov 20
Both my parents had some one-liners. My father always said - Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. My mother used to say - Save for a rainy day, get your beauty sleep, don't run with scissors in your hand or you'll poke out an eye, you kids will put me in an early grave, wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident, don't get dirty, no soda after dinner or you'll blow up, and eat it, because children are starving in Europe.
4 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
18 Nov 20
To me it was "the children are starving in China"
3 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
18 Nov 20
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
18 Nov 20
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89990)
• Arvada, Colorado
10 Nov 20
Well my Mother used to speak Gaelic to us (Irish born) and no one else would know what she was saying to us. She would tell us to be quiet and stop talking. Not really a saying but it is stuck in my head forever RIP Mama and your Mama too RIP I like that saying your Mama said
4 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
10 Nov 20
If I would make a decision against my mom's wish, she would always say" Don't come and cry on my shoulders when it turns out bad"
4 people like this
• Austin, Texas
13 Nov 20
Would you believe it? J-Lo's parents said something similar. They were angry because she dropped out of law school to pursue a career in entertainment. Of course, they aren't still angry with her about that.
2 people like this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
18 Nov 20
@cmoneyspinner I can believe it!
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
11 Nov 20
Mainly just their spankings. I don't remember any phrase used more than another. Your mom's expression is interesting and I've not heard it before.
4 people like this
@just4him (317090)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Nov 20
That's an interesting saying. My mom said, "You'll understand when you have children." Oddly, I never did.
4 people like this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
22 Nov 20
My mom said this one too
2 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
3 Jan 21
I think its wonderful when we hear our parents in our words - I know i do
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340511)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 20
Mum's was, as I going out the door, 'have you got a hankie' lol
3 people like this
@paigea (36317)
• Canada
11 Nov 20
Do it right the first time. Stop and think More by example than by sayings. I always heard her say This too shall pass, when things were hard.
2 people like this
@Ronrybs (19443)
• London, England
10 Nov 20
I don' think my mum ever had a phrase, but the old memory might be going!
3 people like this
@db20747 (43440)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
10 Nov 20
Knock on wood when you're being hard headed!
3 people like this
@thelme55 (77137)
• Germany
21 Nov 20
My mother used to say to me, " You are the elder child. You should give good examples to your brothers and sisters." I did and I had a boring teenage life compared to my siblings.
3 people like this
@thelme55 (77137)
• Germany
23 Nov 20
@ShifaLk I see. Being an elder child in the family, we have a lot of duties towards them and to our younger siblings- Well, that is in Asian countries, I suppose.
3 people like this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
26 Nov 20
@thelme55 oh yes... I think you are right
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
22 Nov 20
Aw ma mum said this to my elder sister and truly she was awesome. @shikha
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (179153)
• United States
10 Nov 20
"I'll give you something to cry about." :-(
4 people like this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
22 Nov 20
Aw. What a love to see muma in dream. Yeah my mom says- EXCESS OF EVERYTHING IS BAD
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Nov 20
And now I am that ".... older wiser person."!