Proverb
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
A rolling stone gathers no moss |
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A proverb (from the 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.
Depicting proverbs
Probably the most famous examples of depicting proverbs are the different versions of the paintings Netherlandish Proverbs by the father and son Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Pieter Brueghel the Younger, the proverbial meanings of these paintings being the subject of a 2004 conference, which led to a published volume of studies (Mieder 2004a).
Examples
- Haste makes waste
- A stitch in time saves nine
- Ignorance is bliss
- Mustn't cry over spilled 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.
- Everyone unto their own.
- Well begun is half done.
- A little learning is a dangerous thing.
- A rolling stone gathers no moss.
- It is better to be smarter than you appear than to appear smarter than you are.
- Good things come to those who wait.
- A poor workman blames his tools.
- A dog is a man's best friend.
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- If the shoe fits, wear it!
- Honesty is the best policy
See also