Proverbs

By Mr. Cotton

Proverb

• “The snake smiles but it shows no teeth.”

• “Better the fox to guard the hens and the wolves to guard the sheep.”

Proverbs are:

• a short saying that gives advice.

• based on people’s experiences.

• often date back to early days of a country.

Proverbs

• Every country has its own proverb.

• You can learn a great deal about a country from its proverbs.

Proverbs take several forms.

• Some proverbs are little verses.

• Some proverbs us an animal or other nonhuman thing to show how people should act.

• Some proverbs give a short piece of advice.

Proverbs always:

• Are interesting sentences with a certain rhythm or an amusing play on words.

• Contain some advice about how to live.

Understanding a proverb:

• Takes a special skill.

• The words seem very simple, but you have to think about the meaning behind the words.

Understanding Proverbs:

• First try to understand what the words of the proverb say.

• Then try to figure out the real meaning behind the words.

United States Proverbs

• Early to bed and early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise.

• The early bird catches the worm.

• Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

African Proverbs:

• No day dawns like another.

• The child looks everywhere and often sees nothing; but the old man, sitting on the ground, sees everything.

• On the way to one’s loved one, there are no hills.

Chinese Proverbs

• A book holds a house of gold.

• If you do not study hard when young you'll end up bewailing your failures as you grow up.

• Do not want others to know what you have done? Better not have done it anyways.