a new favorite...

Just when I thought it didn't get any better then the book of Esther, I began studying Proverbs. I am, by accident, a collector of books with quotes. I love being inspired by short messages or statements of affirmation or wisdom or "proverbs". I have a terrible memory when trying to recall them at useful times in my life and so I enjoy having books with them around. I find myself drawn to buying these books when I see them at the store. Some of the books have been given to me as gifts, some I keep on the back of the toilet...my friend Janelle called them "toilet reading". She used to laugh every time she came to my house and tell me only Mormons keep doctrinal reading on the back of their toilets. Some of the books require you to read a quote each day and some require writing your own thoughts about the messages.
Some of my favorite quotes from my books:
"Ignore your teeth and they'll go away." / Mary Ellen Edmunds

"There, there little luxury, don't you cry, you'll be a necessity by and by." / Ezra Taft Benson

"Friendship is one heart in two bodies." / Joseph Zabara

"He prayeth best who loveth best." / Shakespeare

"Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances that we know to be desperate." / G.K. Chesterton

"It isn't for the moment you are struck that you need courage, but for the long uphill climb back to sanity and faith and security." / Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got." / Janis Joplin

"Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your handbrake on." / Maxwell Maltz

"The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of it's homes." / Confucius

"Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction." / Anne Frank

"I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace." / Helen Keller

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad!" / Mary Ellen Edmunds

Now, I supposedly read Proverbs when I was in high school. It's safe to say that I don't remember it at all. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading verse by verse the wonderful messages in this book. Talk about daily affirmations!! Here are some of my favorites:
"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"

"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of the castle."

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

My seminary boys' favorite:
"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman."
I thought it was great that they found a proverb that they could relate to! Anyway, so my love of small and impactful quotes can continue. I'm having so much fun discovering these awesome scriptures. I'm taking my time to enjoy them...we start on Isaiah after spring break!