[vita32]

Originally Posted by laepelba

In what context would you say this? It almost sounds like the same intention as "you reap what you sow"...

@ Laepelba, the meaning of this Tagalog proverb is about making appropriate action to any given situation or how to get along in a given social situation. It seems that the closest English proverb,that I can think of is (Biblical), "When you're in Rome, do what the Romans do." or "Go with the flow".

Originally Posted by JPablo

In Spanish, the proverb "Quien siembra vientos, recoge tempestades" is a very well known one and used in Spain, at least. (Not sure if the Spaniards gave it to Tagalog or if it is the other way around.)

@JPablo, The above proverb is Biblical in origin, therefore, I would deduce that it came about through the influence of Spain, since Roman Catholicism was brought by the Spaniards to the archipelago.

"Si esa es la canción, ese es el baile" would be the literal translation of the second one... (don't remember having heard that one in Spanish, but it would be understood literally...)

It reminds me "Amor con amor se paga" or "De hombres bien nacidos es el ser agradecido" "Quien mal anda, mal acaba", which may be more or less related in concept and expression to these.

Lao-Tse in his Tao-Te-Ching also has (only read one or two Spanish versions) "Quien desconfía obtiene desconfianza".

(I take there are many sayings that tend to indicate that what you "out-flow" is what you will get back as "in-flow".)

And that again reminds me the non-religious moral code, The Way To Happiness, (paraphrasing the Spanish version)
"Intenta tratar a los demás como te gustaría que ellos te tratasen a ti"
"No le hagas a los demás, lo que no te gustaría que ellos te hiciesen a ti".

(Not sure if "The Way to Happiness" is translated into Tagalog...)

"Do unto others as you would others do unto you", also a Biblical teaching.

I also remember another American saying, that has similar meaning. (it may only be in the Southern part of the U.S.) "What goes around, comes around."

I have not read much about the teaching of Lao Tse but I suspect that some of its precepts are somewhat similar to the Christian teachings.

I'm not aware that there is a Tagalog translation of "The Way to Happiness".It must be interesting to read. I only read sample of it on the web.