English Proverbs
Contents 1 Examples 2 Paremiology 3 Use in conversation 4 Use in literature 5 Sources of proverbs 6 Paremiological minimum 7 Proverbs in visual form 8 Proverbs in advertising 9 Sources for proverb study
Not to be confused with pro-verb.
For other uses, see Proverb (disambiguation).
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
A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, 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 are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Both the Bible (Book of Proverbs) and medieval Latin have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe, although almost every culture has examples of its own.
Examples
▪ Haste makes waste
▪ A stitch in time saves nine.
▪ Ignorance is bliss
▪ Mustn't cry over spilt milk.
▪ You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.
▪ You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
▪ Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
▪ A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
▪ Well begun is half done.
▪ A little learning is a dangerous thing.
▪ Don't poke the bear.
Paremiology
The study of proverbs is called: paremiology (from Greek παροιμία - paroimía, "proverb") and can be dated back as far as Aristotle. Paremiography, on the other hand, is the collection of proverbs. A prominent proverb scholar in the United States is Wolfgang Mieder. He has written or edited over 50 books on the subject, edits the journal
Not to be confused with pro-verb.
For other uses, see Proverb (disambiguation).
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
A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, 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 are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Both the Bible (Book of Proverbs) and medieval Latin have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe, although almost every culture has examples of its own.
Examples
▪ Haste makes waste
▪ A stitch in time saves nine.
▪ Ignorance is bliss
▪ Mustn't cry over spilt milk.
▪ You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.
▪ You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
▪ Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
▪ A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
▪ Well begun is half done.
▪ A little learning is a dangerous thing.
▪ Don't poke the bear.
Paremiology
The study of proverbs is called: paremiology (from Greek παροιμία - paroimía, "proverb") and can be dated back as far as Aristotle. Paremiography, on the other hand, is the collection of proverbs. A prominent proverb scholar in the United States is Wolfgang Mieder. He has written or edited over 50 books on the subject, edits the journal