Wisdom from the Amish

Reviewed by Phee Paradise

Amish Proverbs
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Amish Proverbs is an attractive little coffee table book. It’s full of pictures of the Amish lifestyle alternating with short words of wisdom they live by. Fisher has divided it into topical chapters like Time, Work Ethic and Community. At the beginning of each chapter she has written a brief introduction about Amish thinking on that aspect of life. For readers who are interested in the role of proverbs in any community, there is a fairly informative introduction to the book.

Here’s an excerpt from the introduction to the chapter on money:

“As the work, so the pay,” goes the saying.
It’s not that the Amish aren’t money savvy; they are. But their goal in life isn’t to accumulate wealth. Money is a tool, not a goal. They want only to support their family in an environment that best reflects their values.

Here are some of my favorites from the book:


Do more of less.

Generosity leaves a much better taste than stinginess.

Raising boys is as easy as digesting iron.

It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.


If I’ve piqued your interest and you have a place on your coffee table, I have good news. The publisher has given us a copy of the book to give to one of you. We’ll hold a drawing of interested readers on August 31, so you have until then to enter. All you have to do is post a comment on this post with the answer to this question:

Tell us your favorite proverb and how it has influenced your life.

It doesn’t have to come from the Biblical book of Proverbs. For instance, when I was young, I dropped a pitcher of milk that I was carrying to the dinner table. I started crying because I was afraid of being punished. Before cleaning up the mess, my mother gave me a hug and said, “Don’t cry over spilt milk.” That may seem a little trite, but I have always known that I am loved, and my mistakes do not change that.

I look forward to reading about your favorite proverbs.

Suzanne is also sponsoring a contest to give a way a Kindle. Read the note at the bottom of this post for more information.

About the book:

Spend enough time with the Amish, as author Suzanne Woods Fisher has, and you’ll hear them repeat a catchy turn of phrase or short words of wisdom, like “Good character like good soup is usually homemade,” or “Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” Suspended in these phrases are age-old lessons about how to live wisely and please God. Reiterated day after day, the proverbs are learned by heart and help guide the lives of the Amish, reminding them of what’s truly important.

Fisher has spent a great deal of time with the Amish and has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People, which she shares in her new book
Amish Proverbs.

These proverbs cover all aspects of life, from finances to faith to family, as well as overcoming life’s frustrations. Serving as teaching tools and maxims for practical living, they're not just for the Amish. Proverbs help point us all toward wisdom, toward good judgment, toward God’s teachings. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Some of the proverbs that readers will find in Amish Proverbs include:
"It is better to give others a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind."
"You are only poor when you want more than you have."
"A child can read a parent’s character before he can read the alphabet."
"Bibles that are coming apart usually belong to people who are not."
"Those who fear the future are likely to fumble the present."
"Kissing wears out, cooking don’t."
"If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped the thread of obedience."
"You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough."
"A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of things."

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with readers through life's joys and sorrows and bring some of the Amish wisdom to everyday life.

With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

About the author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California.

Kindle Contest

Suzanne's Amish Proverbs just hit the shelves. To celebrate she's giving away a KINDLE and throwing a party! Let the fun begin. See below for info and links.

Find out more about the book, Suzanne and the blog tour here.

Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation

* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 1st.

Join Suzanne for a Wrap-up Party on September 1st!

She’ll be announcing the winner of the Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway, chatting with readers, and giving away copies of Amish Proverbs and The Choice! Be sure to join us on Wednesday , September 1st at 8PM EST at Suzanne’s Author Page

Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life!