J

Jest, Jesting A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it. (Roman) A jest is half a truth. (Yiddish) Drop the jest when it is most amusing. (Italian) Fear not a jest. (Roman) Good jests bite like lambs, not like dogs. (German) He makes a foe who makes a jest. (Poor Richard) He that would jest must take a jest. (Dutch) It’s ill jesting with edged tools. (Dutch) Jest with your equals. (Danish) Jesting costs money. (Spanish) Leave the jest at its best. (Spanish) Many a true word is spoken in jest. (English) Play not with a man till you hurt him, nor jest till you shame him. (German) Said in sport, meant in earnest. (German) There are limits even to jesting. (English) When the jest is at its best, ’twill be well to let it rest. (German)

Jew A Jew’s joy is not without fright. (Yiddish) A wise Jew is very wise; a foolish one is a fool indeed. (Yiddish)

Job A job is fine, but it interferes with your time. (Yiddish) Agriculture is best, enterprise is acceptable, but avoid being on a fixed wage. (Indian) As the job, so the clothes. (German) Each person at his job is a god. (Albanian) Each person in his occupation is king. (Mexican) If you want a job done right, do it yourself. (American) Never send a boy to do a man’s job. (American) No office so humble but it is better than nothing. (Dutch)

You will not get a big job done from one who does not want to do a small one. (Albanian)

Join If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. (American)

Joke, Joking A joke driven too far brings home hate. (Yiddish) Even the gods love jokes. (Greek) He that laughs at his own joke, spoils the fun of it. (Danish) In jokes, there are truths. (Korean) Jokes directed against the unfortunate are inhumane. (Roman) Jokes reveal truths. (Spanish) Moderation should be used in joking. (Roman) Never joke in the presence of a prince. (Chinese) No joke is too small to sting. (Spanish) Out of a joke comes a truth. (Japanese) There is no worse joke than a true one. (Italian)

Journey, Journeys Discreet stops make speedy journeys. (Spanish) Do not take either a blind guide or a weak advisor. (Greek) Go further and fare worse. (Persian) He goes not out of his way that goes to a good inn. (Roman) He who has left a rogue behind him, has made a good day’s journey. (German) He who is outside the door has already a good part of the journey behind him. (Dutch) He who stops at every stone never gets to his journey’s end. (French) He who would go further than his horse, must alight and go on foot. (German) Nothing is lost on a journey by stopping to pray or to feed your horse. (Spanish) On a long journey even a straw is heavy. (Italian) One foot is as far as a thousand miles. (Korean) One may go a long way after one is tired. (French) Setting out well is a quarter of the journey. (French) The journey is the reward. (Taoist) The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. (Chinese) You must start by night to arrive by day. (Persian)

Joy, Joyful A joy that’s shared is a joy made double. (English) A poor man’s joy has much alloy. (Danish) Every inch of joy has an ell of annoy. (German) Every life has its joy, every joy its law. (Danish) In the midst of joy do not promise anything; in the midst of anger do not answer anyone.