Jamaican Provers - part 2

 

There's a gentle whisper on the wind these days, a faint echo from a time that feels both familiar and far away. It's the sound of a different childhood, a melody of courtesy, reverence, and foundational truths woven into the very fabric of daily life, especially within the hallowed halls of our schools. I remember attending a school where morning worship was a full-scale event, complete with a Bible and hymnal on our book list. This daily ritual wasn't about imposing a single faith, but about fostering gratitude, humility, and a connection to something larger than oneself. It set a tone of respect and peacefulness, cultivating a sense of community and teaching children the importance of introspection and collective hope. Beyond prayer, the very air of the school seemed imbued with a different kind of lesson: the art of good manners and the imparting of "memory gems" that offered insight for life. Children were taught and expected to hold doors, offer seats, listen attentively, and address adults with deference. These weren't just rules; they were practical applications of virtues that shaped interactions and built a respectful environment.

Perhaps the most profound aspect of these bygone days was how the curriculum, beyond academics, delivered invaluable "gems" that truly shaped young lives. These weren't just abstract concepts but moral compasses and ethical frameworks. Stories imparted lessons on honesty, perseverance, and the consequences of unkindness. The importance of hard work, integrity, and personal responsibility was not just discussed but exemplified. Teachers, often seen as surrogate parents, instilled virtues like empathy and resilience, recognizing their crucial role in molding not just students, but responsible citizens. Learning was about building character and developing a strong moral fiber. While the world has undoubtedly changed, these echoes of courtesy, reverence, and timeless wisdom serve as a beautiful reminder of what was once taught, and perhaps, what we might strive to reclaim.

Some of the gems I learned I have taken the time to jot below. If there is any that you used to say, please also jot below.

1. Speak the truth and speak it ever 
    Cost it what it will
    He who hides the wrong He did 
    Does the wrong thing still

2. Good better best
    Never let it rest
    Till you good be better
    And your better best

3. There is so much good in the worst of us
    And so much bad in the best of us
    That it little becomes any of us
    To speak ill of the rest of us

4. When school days are over 
    And grown men and women are we
    We will think of them ever, and pray 
    O Lord bring back my school days to me

5. Labor for learning before you grow old
    For learning is better than silver and gold
    Silver and gold will vanish away
    But a good education will never decay