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Proverbs: Wisdom
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A number of these proverbs and simply profound, having been crafted with the purpose of alleviating the sometimes unconventional thoughts and myths which permeated Chinese society at the time. These proverbs provide insight and tidbits of wisdom about Chinese society. Structurally, all proverbs can be further grouped into established phrases, proverbial sayings, admired sayings and two-part symbolic sayings. These are all incomparable to each other in the Chinese language, and are all vibrant with metaphors and layered meanings. Whilst most Chinese proverbs consist of only a few characters (words), when joined together they represent a tremendous amount of cultural depth, history and backstory.
It is part of the wisdom scattered from Ananse's pot that appears in African proverbs. Proverbs have many uses in African societies. They may express an eternal truth. They may be a warning against foolish acts or a guide to good conduct. They may ... bring special meaning to certain situations and may even solve particular problems.
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Collections and so-called dictionaries of proverbs do not as a rule provide definitions, and for good reason. Proverbial expressions, drawing on folk wisdom and shared experience, convey their message (if not a strict “meaning”) more effectively than a definition could. And many proverbs are not susceptible to definition. A standard exercise in folklore demon­strates that many familiar proverbs are understood in contradictory ways. “A rolling stone gathers no moss” is nonetheless cogent because half its users regard moss as good, half as bad.21
Because most proverbs are so brief, and make their point in one verse, many are often not connected to those around them. In some parts of the book... a common theme can be found. How not to be a fool is the theme of chapter 26.1-12, for example. In chapters 8-9, Wisdom is pictured as a woman who advises people to turn from their foolish ways and to live wisely.
This is a handpicked selection of twenty of the best Chinese proverbs. If you have read Chinese proverbs, you know that they pack more wisdom per word than any other genre of quotations. Using examples and events from daily life, they underscore the basis of human existence.
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