Regular readers of this column know that I am an ardent fan of proverbs and profound quotes, which often inspire my writing.

For my last column of this year, I have decided to share some of my favorite poetic insights.

Many have similar themes but are expressed in different words. All of them, I think, have meaning for the way we live.

Several relate to the importance of finding a purpose in our lives. The late actress and singer, Mary Martin, once proclaimed, “Stop the habit of wishful thinking and start the habit of thoughtful wishes.”

My daily calendar of African proverbs has several entries which echo that same sentiment.

A Sudanese proverb asserts, “The one who wants to do something finds a way; the one who doesn’t, finds an excuse.”

A Liberian proverb states, “Some people dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake to do them.”

And a Mauritanian proverb advises, “If you dream of moving mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting small stones today.”

Having goals in our lives is a recurring theme in many famous quotations.

A Sierra Leonean proverb declares, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Said another way, a Cameroonian proverb tells us, “The person who aims at nothing will surely hit it.”

Another African proverb warns us, “If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

Good behavior is often encouraged in memorable quotes that many of us can relate to.

“What you do when you have black hair will haunt you when you have white hair,” proclaims a Nigerian proverb. Yet another wise quote attributed to that country admonishes us, “If you keep your head and heart going in the right direction, you won’t have to worry about your feet.” Great advice.

American journalist, essayist and satirist, H.L. Mencken, was known for his witty, thought-provoking quotes. One of my favorites asserts, “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.”

Famous English writer Virginia Woolf was known for her sharp-witted quotes as well as her novels. One piece of advice that stands out in my mind states, “If you do not tell the truth about yourself, you cannot tell it about other people.”

Albert Schweitzer, revered German physician, theologian, philosopher, missionary and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, to mention just a few of his remarkable accomplishments, also highly valued truthfulness. He once said, “Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now – always.” Amen to that!

A life worth living is full of thankfulness. A Gambian proverb declares that belief eloquently: “Gratitude is the best of virtues; ingratitude the worst of vices.”

Kindness and respect for others is a common theme in the quotations that resonate with me.

A favorite African proverb on my calendar wisely advises, “With yourself, use your head; with others, use your heart.”

Several sage quotes warn against feeling superior to others. A memorable proverb from Ethiopia declares, “As long as I hold you to be inferior, I render myself to be inferior.”

A Ugandan proverb repeats that theme, stating, “You may be the greatest swimmer on earth, but it does not make you better than the smallest fish.”

One famous quote I often have heard is attributed to Uganda: “Kindness is the language deaf men can see and blind men can hear.” What wonderful words.

Kindness prevails in many special, unforgettable proverbs. A poetic African quote that I find catchy proclaims, “A kind word is a flower to the heart.”

Although we cannot give material gifts to everyone we see, all of us can practice kindness by following the simple suggestion found in this Sierra Leonean proverb: “The cheapest thing to give to someone is a smile.”

This holiday season, I wish you many smiles and flowers to your heart.