Proverb: Definition, Meaning, Usages And Examples

Definition and Meaning of Proverb

According to Cambridge Dictionary, a proverb is “a short statement, usually known by many people for a long time, that gives advice or expresses some common truth.”

Examples: 

a. Let bygones be bygones. 

b. A bad workman always blames his tools. 

c. Actions speak louder than words. 

d. Look before you leap 

e. All that glitters is not gold. 

What is a proverb more precisely in points? 

1. A Proverb is a Short Statement. 

A Proverb is a short statement. A statement is a sentence that expresses a fact or idea.

Like a statement, a proverb doesn't ask questions, make requests or give commands because it falls under the category of statement. 

2. A Proverb is known to Many people For a Long Time. 

To be within the rank of proverb, a short statement that expresses a universal truth or gives some advice should be known to people for a long time. 

3. A Proverb Gives Advice or Speaks of Some Universal Truth. 

A proverb gives some advice or expresses some universal truth. A proverb suggests that people should or shouldn't do something right or wrong. Similarly, a proverb expresses facts and ideas that are universally accepted by everyone in the world. 

Grammatical Proverb vs Literary Proverb 

A Grammatical proverb like ‘do’ or ‘does’ is used instead of a verb in order to avoid repeating the same verb. 

On the other hand, a Literary or Rhetorical proverb is a short statement that expresses a universal truth or gives advice. 

Examples of Grammatical Proverbs: 

a. He likes you more than I (do). 

b. A child needs respect and affection as does an adult. 

Explanation: The first sentence, “He likes you more than I (do).” uses the proverb, ‘do’ in place of the verb, ‘like’. 

Similarly, the second sentence, “A child needs respect and affection as does an adult.” uses the proverb, ‘does’ in place of the verb, ‘need’. 

Examples of Literary Proverb: 

a. A bad workman always blames his tools. 

b. All that glitters is not gold. 

Explanation: Both the aforementioned are Literary or Rhetorical proverbs, because the first proverbial statement suggests that a person who blames tools or objects used to work with for his/her mistake is a bad workman. 

That's to say that he/she is not good at working who always says, “My mistake is because of the tool I'm using.” 

The second proverb, “All that glitters is not gold.” conveys that the attractive and beautiful appearance of something or someone is not expressive of its or his true nature. 

In other words, something or someone that looks good doesn't necessarily mean that its or his nature is good. 

Idiom vs Proverb

An idiom is a type of phrase that consists of a group of words, not a subject and a verb altogether and gives a figurative meaning.

On the other hand, a literary proverb is a short statement (sentence) that consists of a group of words, a subject and a verb and gives some advice or expresses some universal truth. 

Examples of Idioms: 

a. To pass with flying colors

b. To go through fire and water 

Explanation: Both the above-mentioned groups of words are called idioms because they both give a figurative meaning, and not literal one. 

The first idiom, “To pass with flying colors” means to pass an examination easily with high marks, while the second one, “To go through fire and water” implies to face any difficulty to achieve a goal. 

Examples of Literary Proverb: 

a. Look before you leap 

b. Actions speak louder than words. 

Explanation: Both the proverbial statements consist of a group of words, a subject and a verb. The first proverb, “Look before you leap.” gives a piece of advice that you shouldn't do something without first taking into consideration its consequences. 

The second proverb, “Actions speak louder than words.” talks of a universal truth that what you do is more important than what you say you'll do. 

Phrase vs Proverb

A phrase is a general term used for any group of words, not consisting of a subject and a verb altogether, conveying either a literal or figurative meaning. 

On the other hand, a proverb is a short statement, consisting of a group of words, a subject and a verb altogether and giving or expressing some advice or universal truth. 

Examples of Phrase: 

a. Under the tree 

b. Over the moon

c. On the table

Examples of Proverb:

a. Beggars can't be choosers.

b. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

c. Blood is thicker than water.

Summary of the Lesson

Question 1: What is a proverb in English? 

Answer 1: A proverb is a short statement that is known to many people for a long time and that gives some advice or expresses some universal truth. 

Question 2: What are the two basic types of proverb in English? 

Answer 2: There are two basic types of proverb in English. They are as under:

1. Grammatical proverb 

2. Literary proverb 

Grammatical proverb is used in place of a verb, while a literary proverb is a short statement that expresses some universal or common truth or gives advice. 

Question 3: What are some examples of Proverb? 

Answer 3: Some of the examples of literary proverb include: 

1. Better late than never

2. Blood is thicker than water. 

3. A friend in need is a friend indeed. 

4. All is well that ends well. 

5. Don't judge a book by its cover. 

6. Barking dogs seldom bite. 

7. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

8. Every cloud has a silver lining. 

9. Every dog has its day. 

10. As you sow, so shall you reap. 

11. An idle brain is the devil's workshop. 

12. Haste makes waste.

13. Easy come, easy go. 

14. A picture speaks a thousand words.

15. Two wrongs don't make a right.