Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life

by Suzanne Woods Fisher,
Revell, 2010

I won this gift-book on my friend Faith's blog. The title interested me since I live not far from an Amish community, have been reading a mystery series set in Amish Pennsylvania (Tamar Myers' PennDutch books, which are becoming tedious and repetitive), and have a curiosity about the Plain people that I thought this book might address.

The book is a compact size and printed on high quality paper. Each section begins with information about the Amish culture, faith, and practice, and is followed with a selection of proverbs based on a theme. Facing pages have gorgeous photographs that depict Amish life, crafts, and cookery. The themes covered include - but aren't limited to - time, money, children/family, and handling adversity.

Some of my favourite quotes from the book are:

Laziness travels so slowly that povery soon overtakes it.

Bibles that are coming apart usually belong to people who are not.

Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.

A person who gets all wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package.

You cannot be truly a son of God without resembling the Father.

This makes a lovely book to give as a gift, or to keep on your coffee or end table. The author's grandfather was raised in an Old Order German Baptist Church in Pennsylvania, and she has written Amish Peace as well as two novels in her Lancaster County series.