proverb

A proverb is a simple and concrete saying, popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or experience. They are often methaporical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. Proverbs fall into the category of fourmulaic language.
Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language.

Proverb Meanings

"The best things in life are free."

We don't have to pay for the things that are really valuable, like love, friendship and good health.

"A stitch in time saves nine."

Repair something as soon as it is damaged. That's a small repair job. If not, you will have a much bigger and more expensive repair job later. Do it now and you'll need one stitch. Do it later and you'll need 9 stitches! (Why nine and not eight or ten? Because "nine" rhymes, approximately, with "time".)

• stitch (noun): a link made with thread in sewing
• in time: not late

"He teaches ill, who teaches all."

The unusual structure of this proverb may make it difficult to understand. It becomes easier if we change the structure to "He who teaches all teaches ill." The word "ill" here means "badly". So it means that the teacher who teaches students everything, does not teach well. A good teacher lets students discover some things for themselves.

• ill (adverb): badly

"You can't take it with you when you die."

When we die we leave everything on earth. We don't take anything with us. Even the richest people cannot take their money with them after death. This proverb reminds us that some material things are not really so valuable as we think.

 A proverb is both a functional means of communication and also a very elegant and artistic

performance itself  So, when I use these forms in my novels, they both serve a utilitarian

purpose; which is to re-enact the life of the people that I am describing and also delight through

elegance and aptness of imagery.

Given that proverbs are strictlycontext-dependent, it is essential to explore them in terms ofhow their meanings emerge in situations of use According to Firth (1926: 134):

The essential thing about a proverb is its meaning,The meaning of a proverb is made clear only when side by side with the translation is given a full account of the accompanying social situation the reason for its use, its effects, and its significance in speech.

 


 

 examples:
 Killing two birds with one stone –> Sekali dayung dua tiga pulau terlewati/ Sambil menyelam       minum air
– No use crying over the spilt milk –> Nasi sudah jadi bubur
– Even homers sometimes nod -> Sepandai-pandainya tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh juga
– The grass is always greener on the other side –> rumput tetangga lebih hijau
– Your tongue is fire –> mulutmu harimaumu

references:- https://www.englishclub.com/reading/proverbs-meaning.html
                  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proverb.