Words to live by

The Italian phrase that turns doing absolutely nothing into an art form

Every culture looks at life through its own lens: from a farmer in old Japan to a poet in ancient Rome, they all figured out their own version of "life's too short, don't be a fool about it". But some languages found the perfect handful of words to capture an idea that other languages take a whole paragraph to fumble through. You've probably heard "Carpe diem" shouted by Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, or maybe your grandfather liked to say "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" (which got a big boost from Benjamin Franklin, who printed it in his famous almanac). Here are 10 more gems worth adding to your back pocket.

You say this when something annoying or disappointing happens and there's simply nothing to be done about it: you missed the bus, the soup's too salty, whatever the case may be. Nobody can pin down exactly when it started, but it's been part of everyday French speech for centuries, and it slipped into English decades ago.

The closest American equivalent is probably "such is life" or the more resigned "it is what it is."

This one celebrates lounging around guilt-free: sipping coffee, watching the world go by, accomplishing absolutely nothing on purpose. It's tied to Italy's relaxed approach to life and shows up whenever someone wants to justify an afternoon nap.

There's no single inventor; it's just baked into Italian culture. English doesn't really have a phrase this poetic, though "kicking back" or "taking it easy" gets at the same idea, minus the charm.

A gentle way of saying "don't stress about the future, it'll work out how it works out." Many Americans know it from the 1956 Doris Day song, though the phrase itself is older and its exact origin is fuzzy; some trace similar sayings back to medieval Europe. It's perfect for calming down a worrier before a big decision.

English speakers might reach for "what will be, will be" or simply "it'll all work out."

This one comes straight from the Roman poet Horace, around 23 B.C., urging readers to grab pleasure from today instead of banking on tomorrow. It became a household phrase in America after that unforgettable scene in Dead Poets Society. Use it anytime you're pushing someone (or yourself) to stop overthinking and just do the thing.

The English cousin is "no time like the present."

The message is: you can't undo a late start, but you can still act now instead of moping around. It's often attributed to ancient Chinese farming wisdom, though nobody can point to an exact author or date. People say this when someone's beating themselves up over a delayed career change, workout plan, or savings account.

The nearest English saying is "better late than never."

This reflects a traditional Japanese value of blending in and not causing friction within the group. It's used to explain why someone might hold back from bragging or standing out too much at work or school, even when they deserve more credit. Its exact origins are unclear, but it's long been considered a summary of Japanese social norms.

English has "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"; funny enough, the opposite advice.

This proverb, heard across several African countries without one confirmed birthplace, is about adapting when circumstances shift: new boss, new rules, new season of life, whatever the case may be. It's the wise elder's way of saying "stop dancing to a song that already ended."

Americans might say "roll with the punches" or "go with the flow" instead.

This warns against risking something certain for something uncertain, however tempting. Benjamin Franklin printed it in his famous Poor Richard's Almanack in the 1700s, though the saying is actually much older, tracing back to medieval English and even earlier fable traditions. It's the go-to line when someone's tempted to gamble a sure thing for a "maybe better" option.

Rooted in Southern African culture, this idea states that your identity and wellbeing are tied to your community and that you don't exist in isolation. Archbishop Desmond Tutu helped popularize it worldwide during South Africa's post-apartheid years. It's used to encourage compassion and teamwork, and to remind us that we're all connected.

English doesn't have a tidy one-liner for this, though "no man is an island" comes close.

This is simply an exclamation of shock or disbelief, the Mandarin cousin of "oh my gosh!" There's no dramatic origin story here; it's everyday, casual speech, useful for when you accidentally drop your phone in the toilet or hear surprising gossip.

The English equivalent is right there in the translation: "oh my heavens" or "good grief."

The 12 longest-living animals on Earth (and how they cheat time)

Nature doesn’t just create beauty, it crafts survival miracles. While most animals have short lives, a rare few have mastered the art of staying alive for centuries, even millennia. These aren’t just long-lived creatures; they’re nature’s ultimate time travelers. From the frozen depths of the oceans to the darkest corners underground, they’ve developed bizarre, brilliant strategies to cheat death. Get ready to meet 12 animals whose lifespans will absolutely blow your mind.

Record age: up to 15,000 years

This unassuming sea sponge thrives in the freezing waters of Antarctica, where temperatures hover around 28.6 °F—so cold that biological processes hit the brakes. In such icy conditions, metabolism slows to a crawl, allowing these sponges to live for thousands of years.

Some have reached impressive sizes of over 3 feet tall and have been around since mammoths were still thundering across the tundra. They don’t move, they don’t stress, and they barely change, just quietly existing while centuries pass them by. Their secret to extreme longevity? Glacial patience, deep-sea stillness, and a lifestyle that redefines "low-maintenance".

Age: technically… infinite

This tiny jellyfish, no bigger than a fingernail—less than 0.2 inches—is like the ocean’s very own Benjamin Button. What makes it truly extraordinary is its ability to rewind its life story, flipping back to a youthful, juvenile stage whenever it wants. While it’s not completely invincible (predators and other threats are still very real), if left undisturbed, it can keep hitting the reset button on aging indefinitely, making it one of the most fascinating "time-benders" in nature.

Record age: 507 years

In 2006, a special clam was discovered buried deep in the seabeds of the North Atlantic. Scientists were able to determine that it had been there since at least 1499—that’s centuries before the United States was even a thought! This ancient marvel, nicknamed "Ming", was able to perfect a slow-and-steady approach to life. Growing at a snail’s pace and barely budging, Ming’s sedentary lifestyle turned out to be a brilliant strategy for beating the clock. Who knew doing almost nothing could be the ultimate secret to longevity?

Record age: estimated 392 years

These sharks aren’t your average ocean cruisers—they can stretch over 20 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. But what’s really mindblowing is how slowly they move, like they’re in a permanent state of deep relaxation. Living in the icy Arctic waters, these giants don’t hit adulthood until they’re about 150 years old, and some can glide through the depths for nearly 400 years. Imagine that! These ancient swimmers were already around before America declared independence... and they are still out there, silently roaming the seas!

Record age: over 211 years

This whale is a true ocean giant, stretching up to 60 feet long and weighing a staggering 200,000 pounds. But what makes it stand out isn’t just its size but its age. Some of these majestic creatures carry harpoons from the 1800s still lodged in their skin, like walking history books. Just picture living so long that you’re literally carrying outdated technology embedded in your body—talk about being a time traveler of the seas!

Record age: 200 years

Spanning the chilly Pacific coastline from California all the way up to Alaska, this spiky little ball—about 7 inches across—is full of surprises. It munches on algae and calls the deep, dark ocean its home, thriving at depths of up to 300 feet. Don’t let its size fool you: this prickly creature is a true elder of the cold seas, quietly outliving many ocean neighbors while keeping a low profile. A tough, slow-living veteran wrapped in spikes!

Record age: 226 years

Meet Hanako, a legendary Japanese koi who swam through life for an astonishing 226 years. Scientists discovered how old she was by studying the rings on her scales, much like counting the growth rings of a tree. These colorful, ornamental fish aren’t just symbols of good fortune; they’re also secret long-lifers with the potential to celebrate over two centuries of birthdays, as long as they get the right care and a peaceful pond to call home.

Record age: 190 years

Jonathan is a male tortoise living on the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was born back in 1832, and he’s still happily chomping lettuce and soaking up the sun today. Weighing in at more than 400 pounds and measuring around 3 feet long, Jonathan holds the title of the oldest known living land animal on the planet. If he could share tales, they’d span nearly two centuries of history. Imagine that!

Record age: 152 years

This ancient-looking fish, with its whisker-like barbels, looking like a tiny underwater submarine, prowls the lakes of North America. It can reach an impressive length of up to 7 feet and weigh around 200 pounds. These slow-living creatures don’t rush into adulthood—they start breeding only around age 20—and then take their time cruising through life at a leisurely pace. Believe it or not, one legendary catch in Wisconsin was estimated to be over 150 years old!

Record age: over 90 years

This chunky, night-loving parrot from New Zealand is a true oddball—it can’t fly, snores like a grumpy grandpa, and smells like fresh flowers. Despite its quirks, this bird boasts an impressively long lifespan. Sadly, it teeters on the edge of extinction. The oldest known kakapo, affectionately named Richard Henry, lived 90 years, earning him the title of the charmingly eccentric elder statesman of the avian world.

Record age: 37 years

This tiny, kooky rodent—barely 3 inches long and just over an ounce in weight—could’ve been cast straight from a sci-fi apocalypse flick. Dwelling in vast underground colonies across Africa, it’s practically invincible to cancer, pain, and the usual effects of aging. Scientists are fascinated by this little marvel, even if it’s not winning beauty contests anytime soon. Its superpowers make it a star in longevity research!

Record age: estimated 100+ years

Lobsters have a totally different rulebook than us when it comes to aging. They don’t really grow old; they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Some giant lobsters weigh over 40 pounds and stretch beyond 3 feet long. Their biggest threats? Not old age, but predators or the risky process of shedding their shells. In theory, they could live forever if left alone—but let’s be honest, not many get to enjoy a peaceful, lobster-sized retirement!