Lack of Satisfaction - "He who is not satisfied with a little is not satisfied with a lot."

The meaning is that we should be happy with what we have and appreciate it. Often said in a situation when someone who has much complains of something minor not going their way.

Speaking with many Words - "Many words are poverty."

We should not ramble on and talk pointlessly, wasting words. It is also used to describe someone who talks about what they are going to do and then never do. Similar to "actions speak louder than words".

It is believed to have it's origins in ancient Sparta. The Spartans were taught to speak with little words, to have humility, to be wise, to respect the elders, and the laws of their nation. These values formed the basis of this ancient Greek super power. The ancient Spartans were said to be very precise and specific in what they said.

There is a story about how an individual told Lycurgus that Sparta should become a democracy, only to get a stern response of "Create a democracy first in your own household." In this regard the Spartans were considered wise in the way they spoke. They were said to speak only when needed to speak, and then directly and to the point.

A Parent's Curse- "As long as you have the blessing of your parents it does not matter even if you live in the mountains."

It is considered a very bad omen in one's life if they lose the blessing of a parent. This is an indication of the value that is placed on the blessing of a parent towards a child in a child's life.

What the saying basically says is that don't concern yourself with where you live, concern yourself with your parents blessing. For example, it is better to live in the mountains then to not have the blessing of a parent.

In Greek superstition a curse of a parent is considered dangerous, especially a curse of a mother.

Brains - "If you do not have brains you have legs."

The saying basically means that if you forget something you always have legs that can walk you back and get it.

Rabbit's eyes - "The rabbits' eye differs from that of the owl."

This saying means that two people may see the same event and tell two difference versions of what happened, just as the eyes of the owl differ from those of the rabbit.

Fox and Child - "The fox is one hundred years old its' child is one hundred and ten."

This saying is usually said by an older person to a younger person in the situation where the younger person does a wise act. The older person happy with the younger person's actions' comments on the brightness of the younger individual by using two symbols of wisdom "Age" and the "Fox".

It also indicates that even the young at times can surpass the old in wisdom.

My First Wedding - "My first wedding makes me proud in front of people."

This is said when a person marries for the first time, and is an indication of the value that is placed on the first marriage.

This saying has strong influence from the general feelings of the Greek people towards multiple marriages. There is also strong influence from the Orthodox church in this saying.

The rite of marriage of a second wedding removes many praises towards God that would exist in the first marriage. The praises are changed to asking God for forgiveness to help in the success of the second marriage.

The Liar and the Thief - "The liar and the thief rejoice in their first year only."

This saying deals with a belief that those who commit wrongdoings such as lying, stealing etc, only enjoy their actions for a short while.

It is an indication that if you commit wrongful actions eventually they will catch up to you, and you will be caught and punished for them.

As Sweet as Honey - "A person can be as sweet as honey or as heavy as steel."

The saying is often used in a situation when a person becomes old and no one wants the person around any more.

It indicates is that when the person was young they were as sweet as honey, "everybody wanted them around". Now that the person has became older, they are considered a burden and no on wants them around anymore, hence they are "as heavy as steel".

Being Truthful - "If you are truthful you will have as much gold as you want."

An important saying dealing with the value of truth. It is an indication that truth is a virtue. The person in the end who is truthful is one who will succeed. A person may say it to another person in a situation where being truthful may not have achieved the result that they may have expected.

It is basically saying don't worry you will get what you deserve because you're honest.

Help Yourself - "Help yourself so God can help you."

This very old saying is at least 15 centuries old.

The great general Belisarius who served under the Byzantine emperor Justinnian is known to have said this. Belisarius would say that you cannot expect God to help you if you put your army in a situation where you can be defeated.

What this saying tries to express is a belief that you cannot expect God to help you if you do nothing to help yourself.

You have to help yourself first and then God will naturally help you.

A Golden Blessing - "Upon touching sand may it turn to gold."

The roots of the saying are in the myth of King Midas and the Golden Touch. However, unlike King Midas whose gift became a curse to him this is a heartfelt wish for success.

This saying is very old, and is a heartfelt wish from one person to another for their success in any endeavour they may attempt.