Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Proverbs
(2,180 words)

Abstract

A proverb is an anonymous, concise and usually allegorical expression of an observation regarding some truth, value, or fact of everyday life, sometimes giving a warning or an admonition. It is regarded as a popular phrase summarizing experience or expressing a collective knowledge of a people, and incorporating venerable practical wisdom handed down over generations.

1. Introduction

The Greek word for ‘proverb’, paroimía, is a compound from the preposition pará (…

Cite this page
Dimitrios Christidis, “Proverbs”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 28 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_COM_00000299>
First published online: 2013



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