Scriptural Adages and Maxims

. . .Adages and maxims (proverbs) are pithy statements of time-honored, widely accepted truths or principles. They are typically sayings that condense the wisdom of experience. Applying an adage or maxim to human experience oftentimes requires some interpretation. At times the message is clear without interpretation. Below are listed some adages with a scriptural origin that have found frequent use in everyday language. The author and scriptural reference of each maxim is included. Share some of your favorites with me at mdtaylormd@gmail.com and I will add them to the list, with an acknowledgment of you as the contributor.

  • Adages and Maxims

o        Old Testament

      • Am I my brother's keeper? (Cain, Genesis 4:9)
      • Is anything too hard for the Lord? (The Lord, Genesis 18:14)
      • An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. (The Lord, Leviticus 24:20)
      • Cast thy bread upon the waters, and it shall return unto thee. (Solomon, Ecclesiastes 11:1)

o        New Testament

      • Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Jesus, Matthew 6:21)
      • You cannot serve God and mammon. (Jesus, Matthew 6:24)
      • Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Jesus, Matthew 6:34)
      • Cast not your pearls before swine. (Jesus, Matthew 7:6)
      • You shall know a tree by its fruits. (Jesus, Matthew 7:20)
      • Do not put new wine in old bottles. (Jesus, Matthew 9:17)
      • Freely ye have received, freely give. (Jesus, Matthew 10:8)
      • He that is not with me is against me. (Jesus, Matthew 12:30)
      • A prophet is not without honor save in his own house. (Jesus, Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4)
      • If the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch. (Jesus, Matthew 15:14)
      • He that loses his life for my sake shall find it. (Jesus, Matthew 16:25)
      • The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. (Jesus, Matthew 20:16)
      • Many are called but few are chosen. (Jesus, Matthew 22:14)
      • Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's. (Jesus, Matthew 22:21)
      • Love thy neighbor as thyself. (Jesus, Matthew 22:39)
      • He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Jesus, Matthew 23:11)
      • Where the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Jesus, Matthew 24:28)
      • The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Jesus, Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38)
      • The whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. (Jesus, Mark 2:17)
      • The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. (Jesus, Mark 2:27)
      • With God nothing shall be impossible. (Gabriel, Luke 1:37)
      • Physician, heal thyself. (Jesus, Luke 4:23-24)
      • Where much is given, much is required. (Jesus, Luke 12:48)
      • As ye sow, so shall ye reap. (Paul, Galatians 6:7)

o        Book of Mormon

      • Hold to the rod! (Nephi, 1 Nephi 8:30)

o        Doctrine & Covenants

      • The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. (D&C 29:30)

o        Pearl of Great Price

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