Ruchira opines that proverbs embody a nation’s cultural soul, weaving wisdom, humour, and philosophy into daily life, shaping speech, values, and traditions, for Different Truths.
Proverbs: An inalienable part of a nation’s cultural heritage. Having sprouted from the soil of a country…they got dexterously woven into its social fabric.
Over the decades and centuries that follow one another, social behaviour, speech, and beliefs are strongly shaped in the process. If we observe intently, we will realise that each of these proverbs is meticulously attired in practical wisdom, a basic philosophy envisaged to help the common people, the sons of the soil, the aam aadmi, to have a smooth journey forward on the road of life and avoid pitfalls that lurk along the way.
Proverbs about each country are replete with icons and imagery that are unique to that land or language or culture. Nonnative speakers may find this text somewhat difficult to understand at first glance. Nonetheless, with a little effort, they will grasp the latent philosophy and imbibe it in their mundane day-to-day lives.
Let us peek at some commonplace ones which have long been in use.
A bad workman quarrels with his tools. Its Hindi version is Nach na jaane angan teda (nachte na janle uthoner dosh in Bengali).
Too many cooks spoil the broth (Adhik Sanyasi te gajan noshto/ too many singers ruin a chorus)
Birds of a feather flock together (in Bengali, it corresponds with Ek gowal er goru /cows of the same cowshed).
There is another famous line, “A few swallows do not a summer make (it takes considerable time to set a trend) its Bengali version being ek magh e sheet palaye naa (Winter is not confined to the month of Magh alone).
Let us explore some proverbs from the continent of Africa.
Once considered enigmatic and mysterious, Africa is often associated with natural icons, viz., forests, wildlife, flora, fauna, and eerie wilderness. For the inhabitants, life has always been a struggle for survival and involves dealing with the elements of nature. Here are a few examples:
A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.
Knowledge is a garden. If it isn’t cultivated, you can’t harvest it
A roaring lion kills no game.
When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets hurt.
All monkeys can’t hang from the same branch.
Even the lion protects itself against flies.
Do not call a dog with a whip in your hand.
No shortcuts exist to the top of a palm tree
Don’t think there are any crocodiles, just because the water is calm.
Next, we turn to the Middle East, also known as West Asia, which is the cradle of numerous civilisations and the fountainhead of three major global faiths.
Arabic proverbs offer timeless wisdom, often using vivid imagery from the daily grind of life amidst desert sands. They cover a wide range of themes and virtues, i.e., patience, diligence, fortitude and resilience, besides the importance of home, family, and society.
Some examples:
A monkey is a gazelle in its mother’s eyes (Mothers feel their children are flawless.)
Being alone is better than being with someone bad.
Trust in God, but tie your camel (have faith but be pragmatic).
In the desert of life, a wise person travels by caravan, while the fool prefers to travel alone.” (Value of community and guidance)
I was intrigued to discover another Arabic proverb with a striking similarity to our homegrown ones: “Repetition teaches the donkey,” which suggests that with consistent practice and sincere effort, seemingly difficult tasks can eventually lead to learning and mastery.
Its Hindi counterpart is “Karat karat abhyas ke jadmati hote sujan, rasri awat jawat te sil par padat nisan,” (A rope that is repeatedly pulled over a stone leaves a dent on it). This version has a poetic touch.
The Bengali version is a bit harsher, stating, “Gadha ke pitiye ghoda banano jae (If you persistently flog a donkey, it will turn into a horse)
Continuing in a global vein, it would be relevant to include a few Chinese proverbs as well.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle. (Hard work and preparedness lead to success).
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. (Fundamental life skills pave the way to success).
And lastly,
Dig well before you are thirsty (Plan in advance for a comfortable future)
All said and done, proverbs are an integral part of daily conversations and social interactions. Their prolific use helps to make dialogues more meaningful.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Born in Guwahati and raised across Delhi and Punjab, Ruchira Adhikari Ghosh is an alumna of Sacred Heart Convent, Ludhiana. She holds a master’s degree in English literature from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and a postgraduate diploma in Journalism. With nearly 25 years of experience in print, web, and television media, she has carved a niche as a feature writer. Her writing focuses on women’s issues, food, travel, and literature, reflecting both versatility and depth.
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