What are Adages and Proverbs?
Basics on the topic What are Adages and Proverbs?
Proverbs and Adages – Introduction
Proverbs and adages are wise sayings that can teach us valuable lessons and help us make good choices. They can make our speech and writing more interesting, as well as help us explore and understand other cultures through their adages and proverbs.
Even though proverbs and adages are very similar, there is a slight difference between them:
Adages are sayings that express truth about human nature. For example: Little strokes fell great oaks.
Proverbs are sayings that give advice. An example of a proverb is: When you want to make an omelet, you need to break a few eggs.
Proverbs and adages are both considered types of figurative language, which means that they do not have the exact meaning of the words written. To understand adages’ and proverbs’ meaning, we need to ask ourselves: What is the author trying to say? Then we need to explain the meaning in our own words.
Using Proverbs and Adages in Everyday Speech
Proverbs and adages are tools to convey a message by saying something else. The most important requirement for adages and proverbs to work is that everyone taking part in the conversation knows the meaning of the proverb or adage used. Sometimes it might be difficult to understand a proverb or an adage. Let’s practice using some examples of famous adages and proverbs.
Let’s take the phrase ”Little strokes fell great oaks”. The author is not trying to say that you should use little strokes when cutting down a big tree. What they are actually trying to say is that even though the task may seem impossible, you can succeed if you break it down into small parts and take it one step at a time.
The proverb ”When you want to make an omelet, you need to break a few eggs” does not teach us how to cook an omelet. It tells us that reaching a goal requires making sacrifices.
What about the adage ”The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”? The author is not telling us about the way apples fall. They are explaining that the child often grows up to be similar to their parents.
Proverbs and Adages Around the World
Adages and proverbs are present in all cultures and languages. Here’s a list of common adages and proverbs from different cultures. We start with a selection of proverbs and adages from the English language:
English Proverb / Adage Meaning Better late than never. It is better to do something late than not do it at all. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Don’t focus all your hopes and plans on just one thing. Knowledge is power. Having knowledge and information can help you in many different situations.
Here are some proverbs and adages from the African regions:
African Proverb / Adage Meaning A roaring lion kills no one. Talking makes no difference without action. Rain does not fall on one roof alone. When good or bad things happen, they do not usually affect only one person. A person is a person because of other people. We are influenced by people around us, such as friends, family, community.
Here are some common adages and proverbs from China:
Chinese Proverb / Adage Meaning When drinking water from the well, don’t forget who dug it. Be grateful and appreciate things others do for us. I’d rather be a chicken’s head than a phoenix’s tail. I value what I have and who I am. Dripping water can eat through a stone. You can make a big change by putting in a small effort if you don’t give up.
Here are some Japanese proverbs and adages:
Japanese Proverb / Adage Meaning Fall seven times and stand up eight. Don’t give up or let failure discourage you. One kind word can warm three winter months. Be nice and kind because kind words have a great power to make people happy. Even monkeys fall from trees. Even those who are really good at something, make mistakes.
Proverbs and Adages – Summary
Now let’s review what we learned today about adages and proverbs.
Adages and proverbs are sayings that tell a truth about human nature or give advice. To identify the meaning of proverbs and adages, think: what is the author actually trying to say? Then you can explain the meaning of the phrase in your own words.
Now you know how to understand the meaning of proverbs and adages. For more practice, check out our adages and proverbs video and worksheets for the 4th grade. The worksheets include proverbs and adages matching exercises with an answer key, examples of proverbs and adages for kids, and much more!
Frequently Asked Questions about Adages and Proverbs
Transcript What are Adages and Proverbs?
Koko and Pip are embarking on a journey. If they complete their journey, they will each recieve one wish from the mystical Jeremiah. He's set up some adages, and proverbs to help them, (...) but to complete their journey, they need to know... What are Adages and Proverbs? Adages and proverbs are sayings that tell a truth or give advice. They are types of figurative language. Remember, figurative language is a word or phrase that does not have the exact meaning of the words written. For example, 'many hands make light work'. When trying to figure out the meaning, think: what is the author trying to say? The work isn't ACTUALLY getting any lighter, it means tasks can be completed more easily when more people work together! Let's look at another example. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar'. What is the author trying to say? (...) We aren't ACTUALLY catching flies, it means people are more likely to help you if you are sweet, or nice, to them! Let's take a look at the adages and proverbs Jeremiah left for Pip and Koko, and determine their meanings. The first one says: The early bird catches the worm. What is the author trying to say? (...) Being first, or starting early, improves the chances of success on their journey. The next tip says: Little strokes fell great oaks. What is the author trying to say? (...) Even though something may seem impossible if you take a big task one step at a time and break it into small parts you will succeed. Let's take a look at another tip: When you want to make an omelet, you need to break a few eggs. What is the author trying to say? (...) Reaching a goal requires making sacrifices. The last tip says: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. What is the author trying to say? (...) When it becomes difficult to complete a task or goal, strong people persevere and work hard. Now that Koko and Pip have figured out what the adages and proverbs mean, they can start their journey! While they do that, let's review. Remember, (...) Adages and proverbs are sayings that tell a truth or give advice. While reading, think: what is the author trying to say? Then, explain in your own words the literal meaning of the phrase. Koko and Pip completed the journey, now they can make their wish! "After that long journey, I wish for a mint cookie ice cream cone!" "OH BOY, OKAY, OKAY, I wish we could do the WHOLE JOURNEY all over again because it was so much fun!"
What are Adages and Proverbs? exercise
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Find the true sentences.
HintsIt's raining cats and dogs is an example of figurative language.
There are three true choices and one incorrect choice.
Adages and proverbs always have a message or point to share.
SolutionTRUE
- Adages and proverbs are types of figurative language.
- In figurative language, the meaning of the text is not the same as the exact literal meaning of the words.
- Adages and proverbs are intended to tell a truth or give advice.
- Adages and proverbs are intentionally made to be confusing. Adages and proverbs may sometimes be confusing, but they are not intentionally made to be so.
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Find the meaning of the proverb or adage.
HintsAdages and proverbs are meant to share truths or lessons. Read the proverb again. What kind of moral, or lesson, or advice might the author be trying to share?
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going" is saying that sometimes we may find things difficult. What is a good way to react when something is difficult?
Keeping in mind that birds like worms, what is the advantage of getting up early in the proverb, "The early bird catches the worm"?
Solution- The meaning of the early bird catches the worm is that when you get started early, you have a greater chance of success.
- The meaning of if you want to make an omelet, you need to break a few eggs, is that achieving your goal requires making sacrifices.
- The meaning of when the going gets tough, the tough get going, is that when a goal or task becomes difficult to achieve, strong people persevere and work hard.
- The meaning of you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, is that people are more likely to help you when you are kind to them.
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Which sentences are examples of figurative language and which aren't?
HintsThis is an example of a sentence that doesn't have figurative language: There is one red bird and one blue bird. In this example, the meaning of the sentence is exactly the meaning of the words.
This is an example of a sentence that uses figurative language: He runs as fast as the wind. It means he runs very very fast, but it is impossible for a person to actually be as fast as the wind.
Solution- The proverb, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" actually means that people who complain a lot, get more attention and help than people who are quiet. This is figurative language.
- The proverb, "A picture is worth a thousand words" actually means that it takes much more text to explain all of the information someone can receive, than from simply looking at a picture. This is figurative language.
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Expain the meaning of the proverb.
HintsAdages and proverbs are meant to share truths or lessons. What type of advice do you think the author is trying to share?
In the proverb "The apple does not fall far from the tree", what does the tree stand for? What is the apple?
In the proverb "Don't bite the hand that feeds you", think of what kind of reaction this is to someone who has offered you help or a gift.
Solution- You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
- The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
- The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
- Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
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Find the meaning of the proverb.
HintsAdages and proverbs are meant to share truths or lessons. Read the proverb again. What kind of moral or lesson might the author be trying to share?
This proverb is talking about tasks, not necessarily lifting objects.
When you are faced with a difficult job, it is often made easier when other people help.
SolutionMany hands make light work actually means that difficult tasks are completed more easily with many people working together.
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Find the meaning of the proverb or adage.
HintsAdages and proverbs are types of figurative language. This means the meaning of the proverb is not the same as the literal meaning of the words used.
Adages and proverbs are meant to share truths or lessons. Read the proverb again. What kind of moral, lesson, or advice might the author be trying to share?
Even though glass can be expensive to replace, this isn't the meaning of an adage or proverb shown.
Solution- "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" means you should watch your friends closely to see if they are honest. You should watch your enemies even more closely in case they are about to do something against you.
- "Don’t count your chickens before they hatch" means you should not make plans for money or other resources you have not yet received.
- "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones" means if you have any weaknesses yourself, you should not point out or judge the faults of other people.
- "Good things comes to those who wait" means to stay patient, and eventually something good will happen to you.
