Preview

Proverbs

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
339 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Proverbs
A PROVERB (from the Latin proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and revered, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. If a proverb is distinguished by particularly good phrasing, it may be known as an aphorism.
Proverbs surround us every day. Whether at work, school, church or during a conversation with a friend, the likelihood of hearing a proverb is high. With the influx of different cultures and traditions in the United States, it is not uncommon to come in contact with many examples of proverbs.
People who have a strong religious background might look to the Book of Proverbs in the Bible for examples of proverbs. Others might find comfort in proverbs from different cultures.
Examples:
* “The old horse in the stable still yearns to run” – (this means that those who are older still have things they would like to accomplish.) * “A spark can start a fire that burns the entire prairie” – (this means that a small problem can snowball into a huge problem that can cause major damage.) * “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” – (this means that teaching people is better in the long run because it gives them the skills to provide for themselves as opposed to you doing things for them.) * "Absence makes the heart grow fonder” – (this means that when you separate from someone that you love by putting distance between you that you will inevitably love them more and yearn to see them.) * "All that glitters is not gold” – (this means that just because something looks good, does not necessarily mean that it is good.) * "A monkey in silk is a monkey no less” – (this means that just because someone dresses fancy does not necessarily mean that they are fancy or of good

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." In the short story Superman and me, by Sherman Alexie it shows us how this metaphor is used without it even being said. Alexie unlike most Indian kids in 1998 had a passion to read. He got this urge to read from his father, someone that went out of his way to buy any novel, magazine, or book that he could get his grip on. Reading material was stacked throughout the house, Alexie would read every second and when he wasn't he began seeing life in paragraphs. Unfortunately he had his struggles just because he was an Indian boy. People would think less of the person he was, less of the knowledge in which he with held. Yet Alexie was not ashamed to show the others how smart he was, he would not hold back and pretend not to know anything. Proud, smart, and arrogant he proved there was a positive change in the Indian community.…

    • 458 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Toy, C. H. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Proverbs (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1899)…

    • 2064 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    If you want to know yourself and have a better relationship with others, read the Proverbs.…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mexican Proverbs Analysis

    • 1624 Words
    • 7 Pages

    As a Mexican American, I have learned many of the traditions and customs of the Mexican culture. One tradition, I have learned as a member of the Mexican community is called a dicho. Dichos or “sayings” as I like to define the term, is a Spanish term used to describe a proverb. A proverb is a short metaphorical statement that a culture constantly uses. (Sims 2005:129) Proverbs are a part of the performance aspect of folklore because people tell these proverbs every day especially in conversations. (Sims 2005:129) People use these proverbs in many ways. Certain types of proverbs allow us to give advice on how to handle with certain situations throughout our lives. (Sims 2005:129) Other types of proverbs may warn us about…

    • 1624 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout life you are subject to hearing inspirational proverbs such as, “live life to fullest” or “you don’t know what you have until it is gone” but, as they are used so mundanely and you tend get older they to lose their punch. However, it is amazing how much effect a simple proverb can have until it relates to you on such a personal level. Some say that real people don’t get hit by lightning and suddenly realize that they should live their lives differently. I say bologna.…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Big or small, Proverbs offers many wise words and teachings for every situation people walk through in life. Whatever circumstance someone is going through the book of Proverbs gives helpful insight on how to wisely navigate life. Throughout the book of Proverbs readers will see a pattern of the rewards that diligence reaps and the natural consequences one must face when being lazy. This compares to the contrast between wisdom and folly in that when being wise in all one does, there will be a multitude of blessings and rewards. “…Get wisdom, discipline and understanding” (Prov. 23.23b). Just like when being lazy, when one is foolish there will be some unpleasant consequences in hopes that a lesson will be learned the next time around. “A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless” (Prov.…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ap English Proverb

    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages

    English Proverbs: Every student is given one proverb to memorize. They should memorize the proverb word for word, but they can explain the meaning of the proverb in their own words.…

    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Burke’s article discusses proverbs at length. The Oxford American College Dictionary defines the word proverb as “a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice.” This modern definition is a partial fit with Burke’s view of a proverb. Burke takes the definition a step further and proposes that proverbs…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”…

    • 1786 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Silks and satins, scarlet and velvet, put out the kitchen fire” is one of the proverbs in a yearly almanac published by Benjamin Franklin who had many talents of American. This proverb of his has valuable as a living truth that wealth make losing happiness.…

    • 660 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sweatshops Child Labour

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Introductory Quote: "There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." - Mahatma Gandhi…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    * Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Culture and Chinese Proverbs

    • 5103 Words
    • 21 Pages

    Proverbs date back from life. It reflects the marrow of culture. Because of the differences of origins, religious beliefs, humanistic ideals, moral views and life and work experiences, English and Chinese proverbs carry on different cultural characteristics and information. It has everything with culture and can’t be separated from each other. In this paper, I set some typical examples to discuss the cultural differences between English and Chinese proverbs from the respects of religious beliefs, humanistic ideals, moral views and life and work experiences. Due to cultural differences in English and Chinese proverbs, the same…

    • 5103 Words
    • 21 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    English Proverbs

    • 3969 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Chinese proverb. It says, "Study till old, live till old, and there is still three-tenths studying left to do." Meaning that no matter how old you are, there is still more studying left to do…

    • 3969 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    You will not find in the Bible the exact words of the "proverb" you hear today. Instead, you will hear King Solomon's contrast of good and evil and his warnings and instructions. Consider the message of the verses.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics