About Lifelines: The Black Book of Proverbs

Lifelines: The Black Book of Proverbs is an illustrated treasury of proverbs. This book brings together the timeless wisdom of Black communities in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.

Are you experiencing a career change? Have you recently have births, deaths, or weddings in your family? Then you will find in this book the truth of the African saying, "When the occasion arises, there is a proverb to suit it."

For example:

* Birth and Parenting: “When a yam does not grow well, do not blame the yam; it is because of the soil.” (Ghana)
* Marriage: “Patience makes a marriage succeed.” (Ghana)
* Money Problems: “The poor person does not experience poverty all the time.” (Ghana)
* Peace and War: “To engage in conflict, one does not bring a knife that cuts, but a needle that sews.” (Kiswahili)
* Elderhood: “The compassion of a people is cultivated at a grandmother’s knee.” (Zimbabwe)

If you are a pastor, teacher, attorney, counselor, social worker,  community activist, a parent or grandparent, you might want to have this book close by. People have found comfort and support in these words or wisdom regardless of age, race, gender, language, or geographical location.

For further information on Lifelines: The Black Book of Proverbs, please visit our website at http://www.lifelinesproverbs.com. Here you can:

* Read each day's African proverb
* Read a random African proverb
* Answer our poll question
* Look who is reading Lifelines
* Share an African proverb
* Submit a question
* Request an author visit

Proverb themes in this book

You will find proverbs about: 


Birth

Origin
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Naming

Childhood

Parents and Parenting
Children and Youth

Adolescence, Initiation and Rites of Passage

Quiet, Silence and Stillness
Identity and Individuality
Change and Adaptability
Education

Love, Marriage and Intimacy

Family and Kinship
Friendship
Women and Men
Beauty and Appearance
Love and Intimacy
Marriage
Sex
Closeness and Familiarity
Home

Challenge

Luck and Fortune
Fear
Abuse, Hatred and Dislike
Enemies and Foes
Fools and Foolishness
Trouble and Adversity
Criticism and Complaint
Hypocrisy
Deceit and Betrayal
Gossip
Lies and Falsehood
Jealousy and Envy
Quarrels and Conflict
Anger
Forgiveness
Sadness and Sorrow
Power
Strength
Caution and Safety
Readiness, Planning and Preparation
Priority and Focus
Moderation
Order and Process
Earth and Land
Appropriateness
Acceptance
Opportunity
Ability
Common Sense
Health and Wellness
Time

Ethics and Values

God
Purpose and Destiny
Prayer, Faith, and Hope
Truth
Trust
Responsibility
Work and Productivity
Money and Wealth
Poverty
Debt
Evil and Shame
Greed and Theft
Pride and Vanity
Humility
Insight and Introspection
Discretion
Consequence, Cause and Effect
Equality and Equity
Justice
Peace, Resolution and Reconciliation
Loyalty
Community
Unity and Cooperation
Help and Assistance
Character and Reputation
Patience, Perseverance and Persistence
Respect and Reciprocity
Generosity, Giving and Receiving
Kindness and Good Deeds
Goodness
Gratitude
Courage and Bravery
Authenticity
Joy and Happiness

Elderhood

Age, Elders and Experience
Advice and Counsel
Knowledge
Usefulness

Death and Afterlife

Death and Dying
Ancestors

For this treasury of African proverbs please see Lifelines: The African Book of Proverbs.