47 Quotes by Sholom Aleichem

The rich swell up with pride, the poor from hunger.

When you die, others who think they know you, will concoct things about you... Better pick up a pen and write it yourself, for you know yourself best.

To go to the synagogue with one's father on the Passover eve - is there in the world a greater pleasure than that? What is it worth to be dressed in new clothes from head to foot, and to show off before one's friends? Then the prayers themselves - the first Festival evening prayer and blessing.

No matter how bad things get, you got to go on living, even if it kills you.

No one knows whom the shoe pinches - no one.

Playing nuts is a game like any other, neither better than tops, nor worse than cards. The game is played in various ways. There are 'holes' and 'bank' and 'caps.' But every game finishes up in the same way. One boy loses, another wins. And, as always, he who wins is a clever fellow, a smart fellow, a good fellow.

When have you ever heard of a cantor or any artist turning anyone down when he is strongly urged to perform?

One cannot live on potatoes alone. It is said that one wants bread with potatoes. And when there's no bread, a Jew takes his stick, and goes through the village in search of business.

Ah, how many luxuries has the good God prepared for his Jewish children.