Proverbs are the great heritage of our ancestors, which has been passed down from mouth to mouth for more than one generation. In these small sayings lies deep wisdom that can reveal the essence of many things. And yet, despite the fact that proverbs and sayings are used regularly in conversation, many still cannot realize how useful they are.
There are a huge number of these short sayings. Some are for adults, others are more suitable for children. They also differ both in style of presentation and in subject matter … However, let's talk about everything in order.
Proverbs are…
Start with the fact that many are not familiar with the definition of this concept. Perhaps this will seem like a small omission, but the question arises: “How then to understand that this expression is precisely a proverb?” In order to avoid similar situations in the future, we will give the most common interpretation.
So, proverbs are short statements in which a moralizing context is clearly visible. Most often, these statementslimited to one sentence, less often two, but short. Another pointer is the absence of the author, since they were all created by the people.
Also in proverbs one can trace the rhyme, thanks to which such an expression is read or said in one breath. To achieve this effect, word order is carefully selected, and dissonant parts are replaced with synonyms or metaphors.
Who came up with proverbs?
As mentioned earlier, proverbs are a small form of oral folk art. But this does not always mean that figurative sayings were invented by "the whole world." No, in reality, it often happens that someone accidentally used an interesting expression in their conversation, the second liked it, then the third, and so on, until the whole district starts using it. Over the years, the memory of the real author is erased, and the proverb becomes popular.
But it also happens that proverbs and sayings were created not by one person, but by a whole social group. This was necessary so that the acquired experience and knowledge would not be lost over the years. In such cases, the people are the true author of proverbs.
Why are proverbs needed?
The value of proverbs in people's lives can hardly be overestimated, because they, like invisible teachers, carry the truth. Some sayings talk about how to behave correctly, others remind you of the importance of he alth, others make fun of vices.
For example, the proverb “The eye is turquoise, but the heart is soot” reminds us thatExternal and spiritual beauty are not always the same thing. The second example: "In a smart conversation, gain your mind, in a stupid one - lose your own." Or “Whoever you lead, from that you will gain.” As you can see, proverbs reflect the existing realities of life in a simple and accessible form. This helps not only to capture their essence, but also improves perception.
You can use them in everyday life, for example, to brighten up a conversation. It is even more reasonable to use proverbs as examples that can suggest a path to solving important issues.
How to keep proverbs from being forgotten
Over the years, many proverbs fade into the shadows, which is a very sad fact. There are quite a few reasons for this. But the main problem is that the younger generation is practically not interested in oral art, and in particular folklore. But this is such a storehouse of folk wisdom!
Only their parents and teachers can correct the situation by constantly reminding children of the importance of proverbs. At the same time, it is not necessary to force them to read, and even more so to force them to memorize. It will be enough to use proverbs in everyday conversation, wondering if the child understood the meaning of this or that statement.
Besides, there are modern proverbs for more advanced guys. For example, “They don’t climb into someone else’s car with their own cassette” or “Lady from the stagecoach - the pony is easier.” It sounds a bit shocking to the older generation, but how understandable to the youth! Such an interpretation will not only help to sow in the heart of the child a craving for folkmetaphorical statements, but will also give parents the opportunity to learn something new for themselves.
