Ancient Jewish Proverbs: Chapter I: Human Existence

*11. Shake the salt off and throw the meat to the dog (Nid. 31a; D. 571). When the soul leaves the body what remains is worthless. The soul is the preservative of the body in the same way as all salt is a preservative for meat. § 2. Poverty and Wealth *12. Poverty follows the poor (B. K. 92a; Ḥul. 105b; D. 181). The numerous disadvantages which result from his lack of means constantly remind the poor man of his poverty. p. 34 *13. The pauper hungers without noticing it (Meg 7b; D. 406). On the principle "Familiarity breeds contempt." *14. When the barley is consumed from the pitcher, strife knocks and enters the house (B. M. 59a; D. 335). Cf. the English proverb "When poverty comes in at the door love flies out through the window." *15. The dog in his hunger swallows dung (B. K. 92b; D. 394). In the time of extreme necessity everything can be of use. Cf. "The full soul loatheth an honeycomb: but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet" (Prov. xxvii. 7). *16. Sixty pains afflict the teeth of him who hears the sound of his neighbour [eating] but himself hath nothing to eat (B. K. 92b; D. 649). ("Sixty" is used in Rabbinic writings to denote a round number.) *17. When a man is in straitened circumstances, he recalls the comfort of his father's house (Lam. R. to i. 7; D. 332). Palestinian proverb. See the following. *18. When the bride is hungry, she recalls the seven days of her marriage feast (Lam. R. to i. 7; D. 338).