Proverbs with metaphors are popular sayings that often contain a piece of advice or a moral. Usually they are short sentences, transmitted orally over time, that indicate the attitudes to be taken in certain situations, or the reasons for a certain behavior.
They have a didactic purpose for the receiver and sometimes turns the anecdote into a topic of reflection. They usually have a paired form and contain literary figures such as antithesis or parallelism.
Examples of sayings with metaphor
If the river makes a noise its because water is running
This saying means that if there is any rumor in circulation, it is because it has a certain background, if only a small part.
A good listener, few words are enough
This saying means that if someone is aware of the subject, it is not necessary to give an exhaustive explanation about it.
A gift horse does not look at the tooth
This saying is used when someone gets something easily or free. And it is necessary to settle for what you get with little effort instead of demanding more.
Last water does not move mills
This saying says that past actions do not affect the present. You can not change the past, so we have to focus on the future.
The third time lucky
Perseverance is promoted in this saying. Things, if they are difficult, are not achieved at first, but must be tried and persevered to achieve what is proposed.
To bad weather, good face
This saying remembers, that although there are difficult moments, one always has to maintain the spirit and to look with perspective the new things.
Bread, bread and wine, wine
In this saying is promoted to say things clearly. It is not necessary to use metaphors but to call things by their name.
To the one who spits to heaven, in the face falls
In this saying it is said that if someone criticizes a third person, it can negatively affect him and bounce the effect of his criticism.
It can also be understood in the way that a person says he will not do an action, and that he will do it over time.
Love with love gets paid
This saying means that you have to correspond to the people with the same treatment that they offer you.
Year of snow, year of goods
This saying makes reference to the years that there are snow, there are usually very good harvests, since there is more water available and the land is more fertile.
To foolish words, deaf ears
This saying indicates that when someone makes a negative comment or insults, there is no need to pay attention.
Who gets up early, God helps
This saying recommends getting up early to start doing homework as soon as possible. It can also be understood as the sooner you perform an action, the better you will go without leaving it for the last moment.
A dead king, king put
This saying means that it is very easy to replace anyone and can be done quickly.
Although the monkey dresses in silk, mona stays
This saying indicates that although things or people disguise or try to appear otherwise, it is very difficult to disguise what you are.
Bad bug never dies
This saying means that people who are cunning or malicious always go out well in all situations.
To each his own theme
This saying says that everyone is concerned or speaks of what interests or agrees with him.
Every teacher with his booklet
This saying indicates that each person has a different way of doing things, and that it is not necessary for anyone to indicate if you have a proper way to do it.
Each feather flock together
In this saying it becomes clear that people seek their partner by affinity and likeness.
With the rod you measure you will be measured
This saying means that each one will be judged with the criteria that he uses to judge the rest.
Like father Like Son
This saying indicates that people or things resemble those of others. It is usually used to indicate parent-child resemblance.
Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are
This saying tells us that like-minded people often create friendship. In a group of friends everyone will have similar tastes and the like.
the habit do not do the monk
This saying explains that appearances do not always correspond to the reality of the person.
Who does not run... it's becaus it's flying
In this saying we are told that all who are attentive, will try to take advantage of the situation as quickly as possible.
Loose lips sink ships
This saying recommends prudence and not talk too much so as not to be wrong. It is also used in situations where people try to criticize others for prudence.
Rooster does not sing, he has something in his throat
This saying explains that when someone does not talk and thinks about something, it is because they have something to hide.
Do good and do not look at who
This saying always recommends doing good actions regardless of the receiver.
Idleness is the mother of all vices
In this saying we are told that if we have a lot of free time, we are more likely to fall into vices.
Evil of many, consolation of fools
This saying says that problems do not improve because others are also affected by it.
But the devil knows the old man, that by wise
This saying gives us to understand that experience teaches much more than what is only learned in books.
Silence gives consent
This saying tells us that many times when someone does not give an answer it is equivalent to the affirmation of the question.
References
- MUÑOZ, Julia Sevilla; OF URBINA, Jesús Cantera Ortiz. Few words suffice: life and interculturality of the saying . 2002.
- PÉREZ MARTÍNEZ, Herón; MARTÍNEZ, Herón Pérez. Old saying never lies Mexican refranero . 1997.
- GARCÍA-PAGE SÁNCHEZ, Mario. Linguistic properties of the saying. 1990.
- HERNANDO CUADRADO, Luis Alberto. Stylist of the saying. Paremia , 1997, no. 6, p. 327-332.
- GARCÍA-PAGE, Mario. Linguistic properties of the saying (II): the lexicon. Paremia , 1997, vol. 6, p. 275-280.
- KLEISER, Luis Martínez (ed.). Spanish general ideological refranero . Hernando, 1989.
- MARÍN, Francisco Rodríguez. More than 21,000 Castilian sayings: not contained in the copious collection of the master Gonzalo Correas, joined them of the oral tradition and its readings during more than half a century (1871-1926) . Tip. Of the"Magazine of archives, libraries and museums", 1926.