Proverb

A proverb is a short statement usually known by many people. It states something that is common experience or gives advice. Another common definition is from Lord John Russell (c. 1850) "A proverb is the wit of one, and the wisdom of many."Use proverbs to learn English It's good to know the really common English proverbs because you hear them come up in conversation all the time. Sometimes people say the entire proverb to give advice to a friend. Learning proverbs can also help you to understand the way that people in English-speaking cultures think about the world.

Example:

1.     "Two wrongs don't make a right."

When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only make things worse.

2.     "The pen is mightier than the sword."

Trying to convince people with ideas and words is more effective than trying to force people to do what you want.

3.     "When in Rome, do as the Romans."

Act the way that the people around you are acting. This phrase might come in handy when you're traveling abroad notice that people do things differently than you're used to.

4.     "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

You can get better service if you complain about something. If you wait patiently, no one's going to help you.

5.     "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

Strong people don't give up when they come across challenges. They just work harder.

6.     "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

 Bad things might happen, so be prepared.

7.     "Better late than never."

It's best to do something on time. But if you can't do it on time, do it late

There are six types of proverbs that we will be studying:

SYNONYMOUS

The first type of proverb is called synonymous. We know that word means synonym. Synonymous simply means that both lines are saying the same thing but in a little different way. An example is Proverbs 11:25, “The Generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”  This is a verse on prosperity. It’s saying the one who truly becomes prosperous are givers because giving indicates an attitude.

Look at verse 29. Here is the negative of that thought in another synonymous proverb. “He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”

Anyone that doesn’t know how to manage his own household will lose everything he has. He will end up inheriting the wind which is nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit, and you know who will end up owning all your possessions if you don’t know how to manage your own household?  The wise ones.

So verses 25 and 29 say the same thing in both parts of the verse. Again, this is called synonymous proverb.

ANTITHETICAL

The second type of proverb is called antithetical. A thought is given in the first line, and the negative result is given in the second line. In other words, if you do this you’ll be blessed, but if you don’t, this is what will happen to you. So the negative line really accentuates the positive one.

Example : Let’s take a look at Proverbs 14:30, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” You’ll always find a “but’ somewhere in an antithetical proverb because two things are contrasted. We as believers ought to have the healthiest flesh around because our heart is full of the joy of the Lord. But envy is the rottenness of the bones. And so when you get off into strife and discord, you’ve opened up the door for satan to come in and put sickness on you.

SYNTHETIC

Let’s look at the third type of proverb. This is probably the rarest of all types in the book of Proverbs. It’s called a synthetic proverb. Each line teaches a different thought. At first, it sounds like two lines saying something exactly the opposite, or saying two totally different things, but they do have something in common.

Example: Proverbs 10:18, “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Did you know there’s a time to open your mouth and a time to keep it shut!? A fool, when he should have his mouth open, keeps it shut, and when he should have it shut, he opens it. He hides hatred by lying. That’s when he should have kept his mouth shut. If you hate somebody, keep your mouth shut. Deal with it inside of you. Don’t let it out. And if you’re ever about to slander somebody, keep your mouth shut. Don’t utter it.

INTEGRAL

The fourth type of proverb is called an integral proverb. The second line completes the thought of the first line. In other words, it almost sounds like there is only one line: the whole thing flows. There are many of these in Proverbs.

Example: Proverbs 13: 14, “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” The second line completes the thought of the first line.

PARABOLIC

The fifth kind of proverb is called parabolic. The first line of the proverb illustrates the second. The second line is the teaching, the first line is an analogy. Many of these that are parabolic seem to make little sense.

Example: Another parabolic proverb is chapter 25 verse 25, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Whenever you leave home, the best thing you can get is a call from home. Have you ever been out somewhere and felt awfully lonely? Suddenly you get a phone call or a letter from home and It’s just like a good drink of water to a thirsty soul.

COMPARATIVE

The last type of proverb is comparative, in which the first line expresses something better than the second. The key word in a comparative proverb is the word better.

Example: Look at chapter 21:9, “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” You know with all the teachings on prosperity we’re always seeking for bigger homes: you want a three car garage this time. Quit working on the house and work on the home inside. Work on the family and get the love going.  If there is love in the house, you don’t care where you live, but if there’s strife in the home, you’d give up the whole home to get a little bit of love in that house.

Many times, as we’re going through the poetry in the book of Proverbs, we’ll see many types of analogies. So it’s good to keep the different types of proverbs straight and know there are some rhyme and reason to them.

References:

https://www.academia.edu/4611327/PROVERB_SEMANTICS_Studies_in_Structure_Logic_and_Metaphor

http://semantic-introduction.weebly.com/proverbs.html

http://www.phrasemix.com/collections/the-50-most-important-english-proverbs

https://www.bobyandian.com/bible-topics/types-of-proverbs