ABSTRACT
Some proverbs might remind us of times when we viewed a situation and uttered a pithy saying, or of times when we received unsolicited opinions from others. As Wolfgang Mieder notes: In modern business and politics the understanding of proverbs plays a major role, often being the key to the success or breakdown of communications. The skeletons of proverbs also are used in headlines. Proverbs add richness to language, and perhaps that is why so many great authors and orators used proverbs in their writing and speaking. Numerous proverbs have been found to have commonalities among them. For instance, many proverbs are surprisingly old. They are concise and often rhyme. Some repeat sounds or words; others have more than the obvious meaning. Most deal with familiar topics and universal truths. Proverbs are passed from generation to generation, and some anthropologists study proverbs to understand a culture's members and what is of value to them.
