Public Speaking Course: 

Proverb Fortune Cookie Humor

(Note: Determine if this is politically correct for your audience.)

Here is a good article from my public speaking course. Some presenters throw in a cute diversion to an otherwise boring presentation by attributing a saying to an ancient Chinese philosopher. Since these sayings are not attributed to anyone in particular, feel free to change or update them to fit your situation and to add to their humor.

(The term 'original' here means as original as something can be after being recited and translated for several hundred years.)

Original: You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair.
Update: You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from pooping on your Gucci blazer.

Original: He who walk on eggs should tread lightly.
Update: He who walk on eggs should find out the price per dozen.

Original: People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Update: People who live in glass houses should pull down the blinds.

The contrast of the update to the original provides the humor and is practiced in your public speaking course.

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