γέλως ~ γέλωτος (noun m.): laughter
δεύτερον ~ δευτέρου (adj. neut.): second, next
ἅμα (adverb): at the same time as
Ἑρμῆς ~ Ἑρμοῦ (noun m.): Hermes
χρῆμα ~ χρήματος (noun n.): property, money
These are the proverbs (and there are always more proverbs at the blog):
Γέλως Ἰωνικός.
Δευτέρων ἀμεινόνων.
Ἄμα πρόσσω καὶ οπίσσω λεύσσει.
Ἐκ παντὸς ξύλου Ἑρμῆς οὐκ ἂν γένοιτο.
Χρήματ’ ἔχων οὐδεὶς ἔρχεται εἰς ᾿Αίδεω.
And now, some commentary:
Γέλως Ἰωνικός.
Ionic laughter.
The Ionians were known for pleasure-loving luxury, so Ionian laughter was a kind of exquisite, indulgent laughter. The phrase was made famous in English poetry by Oscar Wilde in his "Burden of Itys," contrasting Ionian laughter with a cheerless England — No soft Ionian laughter moves the air, / The Thames creeps on in sluggish leadenness.
Δευτέρων ἀμεινόνων.
Seconds being better.
The idea is that your second ideas or impulses are better, based as they are on what you've learned from experience. Compare the English saying "second thoughts" when you change your mind about something, based on your improved understanding of something.
Ἄμα πρόσσω καὶ οπίσσω λεύσσει.
He looks at once forwards and backwards.
You can find these words in Homer's Iliad. This is a wise thing to do, looking both backwards and forwards. In the context of the scene in the Iliad, this is something that old men do, like King Priam, unlike reckless, impulsive young people.
Ἐκ παντὸς ξύλου Ἑρμῆς οὐκ ἂν γένοιτο.
A Hermes cannot be made from every sort of wood.
The Roman author Apuleius in his Apology attributes the saying to Pythagoras. You can read about the statues of Hermes called herms at Wikipedia.
Χρήματ’ ἔχων οὐδεὶς ἔρχεται εἰς ᾿Αίδεω.
No one goes to Hades having his money with him.
The words come from the Greek poet Theognis. Compare the English saying, "You can't take it with you."
And here's a random proverb and a random LOLCat too:
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