Javanese Proverbs: Everyday Wisdom Hidden in Sayings
Before I ever read books about philosophy or psychology, I grew up hearing proverbs from my grandparents. They didn’t call them “wisdom traditions.” They just dropped them into everyday life, like reminders tucked inside casual conversations. One of them is etched permanently on my skin: “Ojo rumongso biso nanging bisoho rumongso.” Don’t think you’re capable, but be capable of feeling. It’s a mouthful to translate, but its weight is clear: humility matters more than pride, and sensitivity matters more than arrogance. These sayings are more than pretty words. They’re pieces of Javanese cosmology woven into daily speech, hints of balance, rhythm, and the cycles we live in. Proverbs as Compass In Java, proverbs ( paribasan or pepatah Jawa ) serve as a quiet moral compass. They’re not shouted commandments. They’re whispers. A proverb might remind you to stay humble. Another nudges you toward patience. Others caution against greed or remind you to align with nature. In a way, they f...
