The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-07-02
THE ORIGIN OF PROVERBS.


the Congregational Church Friday
Evening-Like Antique Furniture,
Proverbs are Old Friends and They
Never Wear Out.
AT the graduation exercises Of the
Westville Grammar school, held at the
Congregational church, Westville, Fri
day evening, one of the brightest es-
says read was that by Miss Annie Lou
Use Terrell, on Proverbs and Their Or
igin," which is here given in full:
Proverbs and sayings are almost like
old friends, and Disaeli compares them
to antique furniture, which never wears
out. The three characteristics that go
to make a proverb are shortness, sense
and salt. Easily remembered, readily
applied, true to nature and lasting be-
cause they are true proverbs, are rec
ords that human nature is much the
same in all time and in all countries.
There are in every country certain
number of these proverbs, good share
of which have been either handed down
or borrowed. In the countries of Eu-
rope at least twenty thousand are in
existence. They show, as Lord Bacon
says, the genius, wit and spirit Of a
nation, In Japan a favorite proverb is
"A fog cannot be dispelled with a fam"
This is a very natural proverb for
people who have constantly before
them fogs and fans. For there are fire.
quent fogs along the coast of Japan,
and Japanese children carry fans after
they are five years of age.
The Border proverb in Scotland Is,
1T were better to hear the lark sing
than the mouse cheep." This shows
that these outlaws considered their
mountain homes far safer protection
than the English walls. A story Is told
in Scotland of great man who gave
very magnificent feast and entertain
ment. On this occasion he was rudely
told that Fools make feasts and wise
men eat them" The Schotchman
quickly etored, wise men make pro-
verbs and fools repeat them"
There Is an old Cornish proverb,
Those who will not be ruled by the
rudder must be ruled by the rock
The many vessels which were wrecked
along the rocky coast could not fail to
impress the inhabitants with the two
objects from which they made this
wholesome proverb against obstinate
people.
From England, as from the other
countries have come many old proverbs
The oft repeated saying, Mind your p's
and as had it's origin in an old Eng
lish ale-house. 1t was the custom to
record upon board nailed to the wall
all measures Of ale which were not
paid for. When the inn-keeper felt
that one of his customers was getting
too far into debt he often warned him
by saying, Mind your p's and qs'-
that is mind your pints and quarts.
The Spanish, French and Italians
have a large number Of proverbs,
which date back to time long before
their writings,
When Greek literature was at It's
highest point the familiar proverb
arose, which we perhaps have often
used as a writing lesson, Evil commu-
nications corrupt good manners"
Another saying, ''Rich as Croesus,"
vas first said by an admirer and per-
hare envier of the rich king, Croesus of
vdia, who had vast fertile land and
quantities of gold.
In Rome an incident connected with
the life of Pauaus Aremilius Roman
consul, gave rise to well known pro-
verb. Paulus wished to be separated
from his wife, who in her relatives
81 CT r.
knowledged the lady's good qualities,
but asked them to look at his shoe,
which seemed to be well made, and
said, None Of you know where the
shoe pinches."
Among English writer's there have
been many who either compiled or
wrote, what have later become pro-
verbs Chaucer and Goldsmith both
expressed the oft used one, Handsome
is as handsome does" and 1t is proba-
BILE that one of these men was the au-
thor of the well remembered one, "All
is not gold that glitters."
The proverb, Spare the rod and spoil
the child Is supposed to have been
taken first from the Bible, but 1t is
from Butler we receive our most IA
miliar version From Shakespeare
come such adages as these, HE that
dies pays all debts" 1.-THE devil can cite
Scripture for his purpose" 1.-THE course
of true love never did run smooth"
and many others which appear In his
different plays. We are apt to think
of Shakespeare as the most important
collector and writer Of proverbs, and,
as John Speed has said, we attribute
almost every proverb we hear either to
the Bible or to Shakespeare.
John Haywood, a great gatherer of
proverbs, has among his the following:
"Woulds't thou have thy cake and eat
it. too" "T1is bark is worse than his
bite" and this one, Whose house Is
glass, must not throw stones" and
Little pitchers have big ears"
The expression ruling the roost,"
which was first said by John Shelton Of
the strong and masterful woman, has
become the almost slang phrase,
"Ruling the roost."
A very often used proverb Is Coming
events cast their shadows before"
This is found in Campbells writings.
Another, "A burnt child breads the
fire." Ben Johnson gave us. After
storm comes calm" and the old pro-
verb which tells us that 1.-THE longest
lane must have turning" and 1.-THE
darkest cloud silver lining" have
CHEEKY note in their constant repetition,
like the song OF bird telllns us spring
Is a certainty.