Sholem Aleichem quotes

Sholem Aleichem was a renowned Yiddish author and playwright, celebrated for his humorous and poignant stories about Eastern European Jewish life. His works, including the tales of Tevye the Dairyman, have profoundly influenced Jewish literature and culture worldwide. He is remembered as a leading figure in modern Yiddish literature and a beloved chronicler of Jewish folk traditions. Here are 21 of his quotes:

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

Sholem Aleichem

A bachelor is a man who comes to work each morning from a different direction.

Sholem Aleichem

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

Sholem Aleichem

There are people who have never been taught anything, and know everything, have never been anywhere, and understand everything, have never given a moment's thought to anything, and comprehend everything. 'Blessed hands' is the name bestowed on these fortunate beings. The world envies, honours and respects them.

Sholem Aleichem

If somebody tells you that you have ears like a donkey, pay no attention. But if two people tell you so, buy yourself a saddle.

Sholem Aleichem

You can take a Jew out of a shtetl, but you cannot take a shtetl out of a Jew.

Sholem Aleichem

A real pleasure is a pleasure that one enjoys by one's self, without a companion, and without a single argument.

Sholem Aleichem

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.

Sholem Aleichem

Here lies a plain and simple Jew who wrote in plain and simple prose.

Sholem Aleichem

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

Sholem Aleichem

They say that children become men, and men become children. Many generations have grown up, become men, and gone hence.

Sholem Aleichem

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

Sholem Aleichem

A cantor, when he starts singing, it's like rain - once it starts, it's hard to stop.

Sholem Aleichem

I will never permit myself to give in to American taste and lower the standards of art.

Sholem Aleichem

Remember, you must not sleep at the Seder. If you do, Elijah the Prophet will come with a bag on his shoulders. On the two first nights of Passover, Elijah the Prophet goes about looking for those who have fallen asleep at the Seder, and takes them away in his bag.

Sholem Aleichem

Gossip is nature's telephone.

Sholem Aleichem

It is an old custom amongst Jewish children, to become war-like on the 'L'ag Beomer.' They arm themselves from head to foot with wooden swords, pop-guns and bows and arrows. They take food with them, and go off to wage war.

Sholem Aleichem

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.

Sholem Aleichem