ABSTRACT
Proverbs are the collective street wisdom of our civilisation. They offer advice, direction, warning, sympathy, criticism and cover almost every situation, event, type of person or creature. Many people see them as true reflections of our world, a way of making sense of our lives, or as a code to live by. This is because some of our proverbs originated in the Bible: 'The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools' - and illustrate Solomon's pronouncements on wise men and fools; sentiments which have survived into many modern-day proverbs. Proverbs have become an integral part of our conversations, but those who take them seriously should beware. Many proverbs contradict each other - such as 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' and 'Out of sight out of mind' - leaving us free to choose the one that best suits our particular purpose or situation.
