Yiddish Wisdom: Yiddishe Chochma

The wisdom of Yiddish sayings addresses life's essential questions with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Kristina Swarner culled over 100 sayings of old-world wit, included English translations for all, and added her own Chagall-like illustrations. There's the snide "The masses are asses" (der oilem iz a goilem), the wise "Loans will get you moans" (borgen macht zorgen), and the profound "If you lie down with the dogs, you get up with the fleas" (az me shloft mit hint shtait men oif mit flai). They're a delight to read, a challenge to memorize, and a pleasure to recite.