Latin Saying Metaphorical Formulaic Language Genre of Folklore Book of Proverbs Erasmus

Proverbs" redirects here. For the biblical text, see Book of Proverbs.
A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple, concrete, traditional saying that expresses a
truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and
use formulaic language. Collectively, they form a genre of folklore.
Some proverbs exist in more than one language because people borrow them from languages
and cultures similar to theirs. 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,"[1] whereas another shows that, of the 106 most common and widespread proverbs
across Europe, eleven are from the Bible.[2] However, almost every culture has its own unique
proverbs.
A proverb is a brief, simple, and popular saying, or a phrase that gives advice and effectively
embodies a commonplace truth based on practical experience or common sense. A proverb
may have an allegorical message behind its odd appearance. The reason of popularity is due to
its usage in spoken language, as well as in folk literature.
“If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.”
Meaning: If you remove the dirt of your ancestors, you can have a better future. Everyone can
build his or her own fame.
“A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.”
Meaning: Everything happens for a reason, and for something, not for nothingness.
“A child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm.”
Meaning: Children who obey their mothers are not punished
Maxim, proverb, gnome, aphorism, apothegm, sententia―all of these terms mean essentially
the same thing: a short, easily remembered expression of a basic principle, general truth or rule
of conduct. Think of a maxim as a nugget of wisdom―or at least of apparent wisdom. Maxims
are universal and testify to the commonality of human existence.
"It is often difficult to tell whether a maxim means something, or something means maxim." -
Robert Benchley, "Maxims from the Chinese"
Maxims, you see, are tricky devices. As Benchley suggests in his comic chiasmus, they
generally sound pretty convincing at least until a contrary maxim comes along. "Look before
you leap," we say with conviction. That is, until we remember that "he who hesitates is lost."
A saying is a sentence that people often say and that

gives advice or information about human life and experience.
We also realize the truth of that old saying: Charity begins at home.
Her favourite saying was: 'There are a lot of people far worse off than me.'
Synonyms: proverb, maxim, adage, saw [old-fashioned] More Synonyms of saying
2. countable noun [usually plural]

The sayings of a person, especially a religious or political leader, are important things that
they said or pieces of advice that they gave.
What Is a Song?
At its most basic, a song is a short piece of music, usually with words. It combines melody and vocals,
although some composers have written instrumental pieces, or musical works without words, that mimic the
quality of a singing voice. The words of a song are called lyrics. Lyrics can include a series of verses, the
longer sections of the song that tell the story, and a refrain, a short phrase repeated at the end of every verse.
Songs can have a simple structure of one or two verses, or a more complex one with multiple verses and
refrains. Songs usually have a meter or beat. Whether you sing or speak the lyrics, you can feel a pattern or
pulse in the way the words move the song forward.
The word 'song' has been around for a very long time, and it connects back to Old English and Old Norse
languages. As such a history suggests, songs are used for many purposes: to tell stories, express emotions, or
convey a belief in faith. Sometimes they give instructions or help make difficult, repetitive work a little less
tiresome

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Proverbs" redirects here. For the biblical text, see Book of Proverbs.

“If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.”

“A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.”

Meaning: Children who obey their mothers are not punished

A saying is a sentence that people often say and that

2. countable noun [usually plural]

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