A proverb is a short, often wise saying that many people recognise, and that describes a truth. Proverbs are often very old sayings that are meant to educate or advise. Different countries have proverbs that show their cultures and environments.

Proverbs are often metaphorical, making comparisons between two things.

Examples:

• A tree is known by its fruit. (African proverb that means your success can be judged from your deeds.)
• All that glitters is not gold. (American proverb that means just because something seems very appealing doesn’t mean that it is good.)
• Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. (English proverb that means good habits create success.)
• Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get. (Spanish proverb that means you should be satisfied with what you have.)

Note: proverbs are interesting to read, but for your own writing, it is better for you to use your own comparisons to make your writing fresh and original!