The Bhutanese Guide to Happiness: 365 Proverbs from the World’s Happiest Nation by Gyonpo Tshering, with a foreword by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (2012)

When I visited Bhutan this past Fall, I bought a handful of books that I figured I probably couldn’t get anywhere else—you can find what I’ve already reviewed here. I still have a few yet to read, but I wanted to knock this one out before my next trip to this beautiful country this week!

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Brief Summary of The Bhutanese Guide to Happiness

If you’re not yet aware, Bhutan prides itself on being “the happiest nation in the world,” ever since their Fourth King decided to start tracking it. Rather than caring so much about the GDP (Gross Domestic Product, which for Bhutan is admittedly small), he wanted instead to track the GNH (Gross National Happiness) through an incredibly intricate system of indicators. As far as I know, only Switzerland has emulated this concept, though Bhutan hopes eventually to export it throughout the world.

This book provides 365 proverbs from Bhutan which form the bedrock of the nation’s happiness. Because Bhutan is majority-Buddhist, many of these proverbs mention Lamas, demons, deities, and non-familiar Buddhist concepts (like Padma Lingpa, the spiritual treasure revealer). For example:

A demon you know is better than an unknown deity. (43)

A student may listen to the Lama’s teaching about the dharma, but may still only have blind faith. (186)

For this reason, the book takes some combing through to find the pearls of wisdom that are for everyone—but they’re definitely there! One proverb, in fact, reminded me of something my mother said. The Bhutanese proverb reads:

Unpleasant medicine will sometimes cure you in the same way that people you don’t like will sometimes benefit you. (122)

When another kid I didn’t like kept asking me to sleep over at his house, my mom told me that “God sometimes gives us sandpaper people to rub off our rough edges.” I’ve never forgotten that.

For the remainder of the post, I’ll work through 14 of my favorite proverbs from the book in three categories: Biblical Wisdom, Family Wisdom, and General Wisdom.

Some Nearly-biblical Wisdom

A few of the proverbs in this book reminded me of truths found in Scripture—nothing to do with the Gospel, obviously. In fact, there’s two proverbs that stood out as anti-Gospel:

Virtuous deeds and dire suffering can both lead to divine happiness. (145)

Don’t reply when you are sleepy, and don’t repent when you are dying. (194)

Others, however, rang with biblical Truth. I share four here and comment briefly.

1. People who are not careful about what they say tend not to be careful with the rest of their body. (18)

This is very similar to what James 3:2 says: “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

2. Even though an ant appears to be small and weak, it has the strength and determination of a buffalo. (34)

This echoes so well what Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

3. You can die from overeating or hunger. As ever, the best path is always the middle way. (157)

Moderation is taught throughout Scripture, but most bluntly in Philippians 4:5 — “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”

4. If you don’t contemplate those that suffer, compassion is just an empty word. (191)

Again, we can look at James (which has been called “The Proverbs of the New Testament”) to see a similar charge, in James 2:15-17 — “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Wisdom for Parenting and Family Relationships

Also prominent in this book are bits of wisdom for and about families. As a husband and father, I especially enjoyed these five, again with some comments.

1. Parents are like walnuts, hard on the outside and soft on the inside. (16)

I’m more like an orange in this regard—soft on the outside and tart in the middle—but this proverb lets you know that this book is definitely Asian in origin!

2. Your father’s work often looks easy, as your mother’s delicious cooking can seem easy too. Both happen because of skill and hard work. (64)

This is perhaps my favorite proverb in the whole book. I don’t know if it’s true of me, but it’s definitely true of my parents, and it’s 100% true of my wife, the hardest worker and most skilled chef I know. Almost to a fault.

3. You may enjoy food at other people’s houses, but the best bed is always in your own home. (136)

This one is especially important for me. I love my wife’s cooking, but I also love eating out. I love traveling, but boy is it true that “There’s no bed like home!”

4. Just the way vegetables taste better with cheese, human beings are happier living as couples than surviving alone. (77)

I’ve already shared this one with my son, not because he needs a girlfriend, but because he loves cheese. And I’ve got to tell you, Bhutan’s habit of feeding you cheesy hot peppers with every meal makes their food top-of-the-list in Asian cuisine!

5. Having loving parents is no guarantee that your fate will go in a similarly positive direction. (169)

This is a good reminder for us as parents—but also for the kids. We’re all responsible for our own choices. Kids can’t inherit right living, just like their can’t inherit their parents’ faith.

General Folk Wisdom

Finally we come to five proverbs of folk wisdom that jumped out at me. No need for comments here.

1. Even if a cup breaks, don’t forget the beautiful picture on it. (12)

2. You should protect your possessions, but if something is stolen, perhaps someone needed the object more than you. (45)

3. If you have something on your mind, get it out—just as it’s important to remove grubs eating the bark of a tree. (82)

4. It is better to sit at the feet of the learned, than to be at the head table of idiots. (104)

5. Eat in accordance with the seasons as you would dress for different types of weather. (147)

Conclusion

This was perhaps the most enjoyable read from the lot of books I brought back from Bhutan. Folk wisdom from other cultures is truly a fascinating study!

I hope to pick up more Bhutanese books this coming trip—there’s one about Yeti legends that I really hope to find—and I look forward to sharing my reviews in the future. Thanks for following!

©2026 E.T.

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