Proverb

A Proverb is a short saying that encapsulates common wisdom or societal norms, often metaphorically and succinctly expressed.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) communicate Timeless Truths and serve as practical advice or moral guidelines in a concise format.
  • It can (often) embody Cultural Values and experiences, passing down wisdom across generations.
  • It can range from being Folk Wisdom to expressions rooted in religious or literary texts.
  • It can be used to illustrate points or teach values.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Geographic/Cultural Origin Proverb:
    • European Proverb:
      • Latin Proverb, such as “Carpe Diem.” (Seize the Day), emphasizing the importance of living in the present and making the most of opportunities.
      • Greek Proverb, such as “A rolling stone gathers no moss.," suggesting that constant activity or change can prevent stagnation or the accumulation of burdens.
      • German Proverb, such as “Blood is thicker than water.," highlighting the strength and importance of family bonds.
      • Italian Proverb, such as “Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out.," warning against the gap between intentions and actions.
      • Danish Proverb, such as “No one is too old to learn.," promoting lifelong learning and personal growth at any age.
      • Ukrainian Proverb, such as “The church is near, but the road is icy; the bar is far, but I will walk carefully.," illustrating the idea of human priorities and the lengths people will go to satisfy them.
      • Russian Proverb, such as “Trust, but verify," reflecting a cautious approach to trust that emphasizes verification.
      • Mennonite Proverb, such as “Many hands make light work.," emphasizing the value of cooperation and community in accomplishing tasks.
    • Asian Proverb:
      • Chinese Proverb, such as “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.," encouraging people to start working towards their goals, no matter how daunting they may seem.
      • Japanese Proverb, such as “Even monkeys fall from trees.," highlighting that everyone makes mistakes, regardless of their expertise.
      • Thai Proverb, such as “The elephant is huge but still needs its trunk to pick up a peanut.," emphasizing the importance of small things or details even for powerful entities.
      • Indian Proverb, such as “A thief thinks everyone steals.," suggesting that people often project their own habits or behaviors onto others.
      • Indonesian Proverb, such as “When the buffalo fight, the grass gets trampled.," illustrating how conflicts between powerful entities can have unintended consequences for those caught in the middle.
      • Hong-Kongese Proverb, such as “If you want to know what lies ahead, ask those returning.," suggesting that one can gain valuable insights from those with experience.
      • Korean Proverb, such as “Even if you have to crawl, keep moving forward.," encouraging perseverance in the face of challenges or setbacks.
      • Nepalese Proverb, such as “Drop by drop fills a pitcher.," highlighting the cumulative effect of small, consistent efforts.
    • North American Proverb:
      • American Proverb, such as “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.," promoting a disciplined lifestyle as a path to success and well-being.
      • Canadian Proverb, such as “Don't count your chickens before they hatch.," cautioning against making plans based on anticipated outcomes that may not materialize.
      • Hawaiian Proverb, such as “When the root is deep, there is no need to fear the wind.," emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation in the face of challenges.
      • Mexican Proverb, such as “A cat that sleeps catches no mice.," stressing the importance of taking action to achieve one's goals.
    • African Proverb:
      • Kenyan Proverb, such as “A friend is someone you share the path with.," emphasizing the importance of companionship and shared experiences in friendship.
      • Nigerian Proverb, such as “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.," highlighting the value of collaboration and teamwork in achieving long-term goals.
      • South African Proverb, such as “A person is a person through other persons.," emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of community.
    • Middle Eastern Proverb:
      • Arabic Proverb, such as “A promise is a cloud; fulfillment is rain.," stressing the importance of following through on one's commitments.
      • Turkish Proverb, such as “No matter how far you have gone on the wrong road, turn back.," encouraging individuals to acknowledge and correct their mistakes.
      • Persian Proverb, such as “A wise man remembers his friends at all times; a fool, only when he has need of them.," emphasizing the value of genuine and consistent friendship.
    • South American Proverb:
      • Brazilian Proverb, such as “A lie has many variations, the truth none.," highlighting the simplicity and consistency of honesty.
      • Colombian Proverb, such as “It is better to lose a minute in life than life in a minute.," emphasizing the importance of caution and valuing one's life over minor inconveniences.
      • Argentinian Proverb, such as “A poor person is not the one without money, but the one without dreams.," suggesting that having aspirations and goals is more important than material wealth.
  • Domain/Field Proverb:
    • "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." (Educational)
    • "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." (Medical)
    • "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." (Agricultural)
  • Religious Proverb:
    • "Pride goes before a fall." (Biblical)
    • "The tongue is like a sharp knife; it kills without drawing blood." (Buddhist)
    • "Trust in Allah, but tie your camel." (Muslim)
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Contemporary Catchphrase:
    • "YOLO" (You Only Live Once)
    • "OK Boomer"
  • Technical Jargon:
    • "Garbage In, Garbage Out" (Computer Science)
    • "First, Do No Harm" (Medical Ethics)
  • Personal Motto:
    • "I think, therefore I am." (René Descartes)
    • "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." (Friedrich Nietzsche)
  • Inspirational Quote:
    • "Be the change you wish to see in the world." (Often misattributed to Mahatma Gandhi)
    • "Follow your bliss." (Joseph Campbell)
  • Advertising Slogan:
    • "Just Do It." (Nike)
    • "Got Milk?" (California Milk Processor Board)
  • Song Lyric:
    • "We don't need no education." (Pink Floyd, "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2")
    • "I get knocked down, but I get up again." (Chumbawamba, "Tubthumping")
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • • • "Actions speak louder than words."
      • "Don't judge a book by its cover."
      • "The early bird catches the worm."
  • Aphorisms:
    • Definition: Concise, memorable statements that express a general truth or observation, often in a witty or thought-provoking manner.
    • Examples:
      • "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it." - Oscar Wilde
      • "I think, therefore I am." - René Descartes
      • "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop
  • Adages:
    • Definition: Brief, memorable sayings that express a general truth or principle, often based on practical experience.
    • Examples:
      • "A picture is worth a thousand words."
      • "Honesty is the best policy."
      • "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
  • Epigrams:
    • Definition: Short, clever, and often satirical statements that express a single thought or observation in a memorable way.
    • Examples:
      • "I can resist everything except temptation." - Oscar Wilde
      • "I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by." - Douglas Adams
      • "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain
  • Maxims:
    • Definition: Succinct expressions of a general principle, rule, or truth, often used as a guide for behavior or decision-making.
    • Examples:
      • "Know thyself." - Ancient Greek maxim
      • "Treat others as you wish to be treated." - The Golden Rule
      • "Less is more." - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
  • Quotations:
    • Definition: Exact words spoken or written by a particular person, often expressing a memorable idea or sentiment.
    • Examples:
      • "Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
      • "To be or not to be, that is the question." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet
      • "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed." - Martin Luther King Jr.
  • ...** Literary Proverb:
    • Iliad, such as “The gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because any moment may be our last.," reflecting on the bittersweet nature of human existence.
    • Odyssey, such as “There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.," recognizing the importance of knowing when to speak and when to rest.
    • Epic of Gilgamesh, such as “Enjoy your life, spend it in happiness, not despair.," encouraging the pursuit of joy and fulfillment in life.
    • 1984, such as “Ignorance is strength.," a satirical proverb highlighting the dangers of a society that values blind obedience over knowledge.
    • Ulysses, such as “A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.," suggesting that even apparent mistakes can lead to valuable insights and growth.
  • Domain/Field Proverb:
    • Educational Proverb, such as “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.," emphasizing the value of empowering others through knowledge and skills.
    • Legal Proverb, such as “Justice delayed is justice denied.," stressing the importance of timely justice in the legal system.
    • Political Proverb, such as “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.," warning of the dangers of unchecked authority.
    • Business Proverb, such as “The customer is always right.," highlighting the importance of prioritizing customer satisfaction.
    • Medical Proverb, such as “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.," emphasizing the value of preventive measures in maintaining health.
    • Agricultural Proverb, such as “Don't put all your eggs in one basket.," advising against risking everything on a single venture or opportunity.
  • Religious Proverb:
    • Biblical Proverb, such as “Pride goes before a fall.," warning against the dangers of excessive pride or arrogance.
    • Buddhist Proverb, such as “The tongue is like a sharp knife; it kills without drawing blood.," emphasizing the power of words to cause harm.
    • Hindu Proverb, such as “The greatest wealth is contentment.," emphasizing the importance of finding satisfaction within oneself rather than in material possessions.
    • Muslim Proverb, such as “Trust in Allah, but tie your camel.," advising to have faith in a higher power while still taking practical precautions.
    • Bahai Proverb, such as “Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.," highlighting the divine nature of knowledge and wisdom.
  • Philosophical Proverb:
    • Socratic Proverb, such as “The unexamined life is not worth living.," stressing the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking.
    • Socratic Proverb, such as “The unexamined life is not worth living.," stressing the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking.
    • Aristotelian Proverb, such as “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.," emphasizing the role of consistent practice in achieving excellence.
    • Confucian Proverb, such as “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.," encouraging perseverance and steady progress towards one's goals.
    • Taoist Proverb, such as “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.," emphasizing the importance of starting and taking action, even if the goal seems distant.
    • Stoic Proverb, such as “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.," encouraging individuals to focus on what they can control and maintain a resilient mindset in the face of challenges.
    • John Stuart Mill, such as “The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way.," advocating for individual liberty and self-determination.
  • Historical Figure Proverb:
    • Alexander the Great, such as “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.," encouraging the pursuit of one's goals through determination and effort.
    • Julius Caesar, such as “I came, I saw, I conquered.," expressing a decisive and successful approach to challenges.
    • Winston Churchill, such as “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.," emphasizing resilience and persistence in the face of setbacks.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Fable.
  • Slang Expressions, which often change rapidly and do not carry the same weight of traditional wisdom or moral lessons that proverbs do.
  • Technical Jargon used in specific industries like software engineering or medicine, which serves a practical function rather than conveying moral or philosophical truths.
  • [[Random Phrase]s or quotes from contemporary media, which might be popular or viral but lack the traditional and cultural depth that characterizes pro
• See: Erasmus, Saying, Metaphorical, Formulaic Speech, Arvo Krikmann, Proverbium (Journal), Folklore Genre, Book of Proverbs.

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/proverb Retrieved:2024-4-19.
  • A proverb (from ) or an adage is a simple, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. A proverbial phrase or a proverbial expression is a type of a conventional saying similar to proverbs and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. Collectively, they form a genre of folklore. Some proverbs exist in more than one language because people borrow them from languages and cultures with which they are in contact. In the West, the Bible (including, but not limited to the Book of Proverbs) and medieval Latin (aided by the work of Erasmus) have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs. Not all Biblical proverbs, however, were distributed to the same extent: one scholar has gathered evidence to show that cultures in which the Bible is the major spiritual book contain "between three hundred and five hundred proverbs that stem from the Bible," whereas another shows that, of the 106 most common and widespread proverbs across Europe, 11 are from the Bible. However, almost every culture has its own unique proverbs.

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