Proverbs are a common occurrence in many languages, and in the English language, you may find several proverbs used in just one conversation.
For example, if someone’s talking about getting back with an ex-partner, you might hear phrases such as ‘opposites attract’, ‘love is blind’, ‘love will find a way’, ‘if you love someone, let them go’, ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’ and so on. These are all proverbs.
In this article you will learn what proverbs are, and how proverbs compare to other types of phrases, including idioms and adages. You’ll also get a short backstory of proverbs, and plenty of examples to browse through. We’ll then expand on this by touching on Shakespearean proverbs and the Book of Proverbs in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.
By the end of the article you’re sure to feel like an expert on the subject. And without further ado…
What is a proverb?
In English, a proverb is simply a statement that offers wisdom or life advice. Proverbs are found in all languages and cultures. They are very common in the English language, with native speakers often using several proverbs in conversation in just one day.
Proverbs can be used to sum things up, or to make a point, or to provide emphasis, or to explain things more easily. They can also be a more concise way of putting a point across.
For instance, when someone says ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ this could easily sum up someone’s reaction to a particular notion, since their facial expression and body language can tell so much more about how they feel than their words ever could.
Similarly, one proverb is ‘As you sow so shall you reap’, which is a Biblical proverb, and is also often stated as ‘you reap what you sow’. This is the same as saying ‘what goes around comes around’. Or in other words, these proverbs mean that how you treat others will come back to haunt you.
Proverbs are often metaphorical or symbolic in nature. For example, the proverb ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’ is actually nothing to do with fish, but instead symbolises that there are plenty more potential partners out there.
Many proverbs will transcend language and regional barriers, but there are also some culture specific proverbs, such as the Native American saying ‘Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it’.
Examples of common proverbs and what they mean
- Rome wasn’t built in a day. – Big projects take time to complete.
- Too many cooks spoil the broth. – Too many people working on one thing will spoil it.
- The pen is mightier than the sword. – Words can often yield more power than brute force or action.
- A problem shared is a problem halved. – When people share worries with others, it can really improve their situation.
- Every cloud has a silver lining. – No matter how bad your situation is, there is some good in it.
- A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – You have to take that first small initial step to achieve your goal.
- Beggars can’t be choosers. – People who depend on the kindness of others should be content with what they are offered.
- When in Rome, do as the Romans do. – When in a different place, immerse yourself in the local culture.
- A picture is worth a thousand words. – Images can convey meaning better than a worded explanation.
- All that glitters is not gold. – Something which may appear of value, may not be as good as expected
- You can’t have your cake and eat it too. – You cannot satisfy two contrasting desires.
- The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. – People are like those who look after them in terms of either appearance or behaviour.
- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. – If something is already working well, there’s no need to make any changes.
- Too many cooks spoil the broth. – Too many people working on the same thing can lead to inferior results.
- Time and tide wait for no one. – Don’t delay taking action because time will continue to pass and will not wait for you.
Hot tips for including English proverbs in your writing
To make your creative writing more interesting, don’t be afraid to throw in one or two proverbs if you feel that they suit the context. However, be careful not to use too many proverbs because they may seem too clichéd.
Proverbs can often serve as good prompts for a creative writing piece. For instance, ‘opposites attract’ is a strong theme in many romance tropes, such as the grumpy-sunshine trope.
For essays, you could try portraying a well known proverb in the introduction, but challenging the idea, or even disproving it throughout the essay’s argument is a great way to not only explore the topic in more depth, but also produce a great work of writing.
For instance, for a paper on politics or capitalism you could begin with the proverb ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ before explaining why this is actually not the case at all.
Alternatively, contemplating proverbs can also be good for reflection and journaling. For instance, if a particular proverb reminds you of a personal experience, it’s a great way to initiate a longer, and possibly more cathartic piece of writing.
Proverb vs idiom
You should be careful not to confuse a proverb with an idiom. But, don’t worry – there’s a simple way to tell them apart.
The definitions are straight forward. A proverb is any statement that gives advice or wisdom. An idiom is any statement that has a meaning that can’t be worked out from the individual words alone, and instead must be taken as a whole.
For this reason, idioms are often metaphorical or symbolic, whereas proverbs are always literal.
The phrase ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is a proverb because it’s a literal encouragement to eat healthily (by eating fruit to prevent needing medical attention. Meanwhile, the phrase ‘The cat’s out of the bag’ (which means the secret is out) is classed as an idiom (and a metaphor) because the meaning of the statement cannot be deduced from the individual words alone. But, it is not a proverb because it does not offer wisdom or advice.
While it can be easy to differentiate between a proverb and an idiom, the same cannot always be said of proverbs and clichés. A cliché is a phrase that is overused and lacks originality.
Examples of clichés include ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’ which is also an idiom and a metaphor, meaning there are more potential partners out there; and ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ which is also a proverb.
Proverb vs adage
Proverbs are often confused with adages, but once you know the difference it becomes easier to tell them apart. An adage is a short statement that tells a universal truth, while a proverb is a statement that provides advice, wisdom or guidance.
For example, the phrase ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’ is an adage because it’s a metaphor that’s used to say a person won’t change, it’s wisdom. In contrast, the phrase ‘don’t cry over spilt milk’ is a proverb, because it provides advice on not getting too upset over something minor.
Proverbs are also slightly different from maxims and amorphism. A maxim is a short statement that expresses either a general truth or a rule of conduct, such as ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch’. An aphorism is a concise or terse statement of a principle, such as ‘Actions speak louder than words’.
The backstory of proverbs
Proverbs often provide timeless wisdom. Even Chinese proverbs written as early as 1100 BC, and Sumerian proverbs dating as far back as 2000 BC still have relevance right here in the 21st century.
Proverbs can be found in every language, and they often transcend time and culture, revealing universal truths and valuable wisdom
Shakespearean proverbs
Many of the language’s most well known proverbs can be attributed to the renowned playwright William Shakespeare Here are some examples of Shakespearen proverbs:
- This above all: to thine own self be true. Hamlet
- There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Hamlet
- Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt. Measure for Measure
The Bible and Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs is a book in the third section of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally ascribed to King Solomon and his students, which later also appeared in the Christian Old Testament.
A popular proverb from the Book of Proverbs reads:
‘Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke the wise, and he will love you.’
The book of proverbs is an example of biblical literature and it tackles questions around meaning, morals, values and behaviour. It’s filled with contrasts between righteousness and evil, and between folly and wisdom. However, those who study the bible will be quick to tell you that biblical wisdom is not restricted to this section of the bible alone.
FAQ
What are the benefits of using proverbs in communication?
The main benefit of proverbs is that they can often express something more effectively than longer descriptions. This also means that they tend to be more concise, which is very popular in the internet age.
Proverbs can also make for excellent talking points, and equally great starting points for the likes of academic essays, or for journaling prompts, not to mention for creative writing, such as stories and/or poetry.
When should you use English proverbs?
Proverbs are great for illustrating a point and providing emphasis to a point you want to make. They’re also very good for imparting advice and wisdom, and to reinforce moral behaviour. They can also be used to console someone who is upset, or to relieve interpersonal tensions, or to simply aid understanding of a matter.
Final Word
So, in summary, a proverb is a statement that offers wisdom or life advice. Sometimes their meaning is literal, but sometimes they are not literal, but are metaphorical or symbolic instead.
Many proverbs are also idioms, and sometimes they can be clichés. Moreover many proverbs can also be maxims, adages, or aphorisms (discussed earlier and elaborated on in other posts).
However, English proverbs should not be mistaken for the Book of Proverbs, which is a book in the Hebrew Bible that also went into the Christian Old Testament.
Proverbs can provide more variety and interest to conversation or writing, but do be careful not to overuse them to the point that they become clichés. Proverbs can often serve as good prompts for creative writing, essays, and reflective journaling.
Proverbs provide timeless wisdom and advice that transcends cultures and ages. They often date back thousands of years, but still have relevance today.