Proverbs NOT Found in the Bible

I found this list in A Theological Miscellany: 176 Pages of Odd, Merry, Essentially Inessential Facts, Figures, and Tidbits About Christianity by T. J. McTavish (W Publishing Group, 2005).

It's amazing to me how many of the following sound biblical or are biblically influenced, but are not actually found in Scripture as stated.

So...for your enjoyment and information, here's the fascinating list.

PROVERBS NOT FOUND IN THE BIBLE

• Waste not, want not.


• If the shoe fits, wear it.


• Practice makes perfect.


• Time heals all wounds.


• Once saved, always saved.


• Money is the root of all evil.


• Cleanliness is next to godliness.


• Spare the rod, spoil the child.


• You can't judge a book by its cover.


• God said it. I believe it, that settles it.


• God helps those who help themselves.


• You can't teach an old dog new tricks.


• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.


• Children should be seen and not heard.


• All good things come to those who wait.


• If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

A fun exercise using this list might be to poll your Bible study group members to see how many these proverbs they identify as being in the Bible. My guess is that the average lay person would say at least a third of these are (when, in fact, none are as stated, though some are fragments of or inspired by actual Bible passages).

Enjoy! And have a good week!

'Til next time,

Joan