Proverb of the day, May 24 -- "Better to be a dog in times of tranquility than a human in times of chaos."

The Chinese proverb might feel almost unfair at first glance. Why compare human life to that of a dog and suggest the dog has the advantage? Human beings usually associate themselves with progress, intelligence, ambition and control. Yet the proverb quietly shifts the same notion away from status and toward something more basic: Peace, stability and safety. It suggests that even a simple life lived in calm conditions may be more valuable than a privileged life surrounded by uncertainty and conflict.

The proverb is not really about dogs at all. The dog represents simplicity, routine and security. A dog living in peaceful times has p...