[Abstract] Proverbs are the cream of a language. They reflec(4)
2013-07-29 01:02
导读：(52) The best fish smell when they are three days old. (53) All at sea. (54) Being on the sea, sail; being on the land, settle. (55) Let anothers shipwreck be your navigation mark. China is an agricul
(52) The best fish smell when they are three days old.
(53) All at sea.
(54) Being on the sea, sail; being on the land, settle.
(55) Let another’s shipwreck be your navigation mark.
China is an agriculture country. Every feudal dynasty pays much attention to agriculture. Agriculture is the fundamental and crucial trade. So there are many farming proverbs about agriculture. Farming proverbs constitute a large part of Chinese proverbs. They are the crystal of agriculture experiences of Chinese people. It can be seen in the following examples:
(56)春雨贵如油。（Rain during spring time is precious as oil.）
(57)种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。（As a pan sows, so shall he reap.）
(58)人勤地不懒。(If man is diligent, soil is not idle.)
(59)瑞雪兆丰年。(A snow year, a rich year.)
(60)一粒下地, 万粒归仓。(From one grain sown into the earth, one thousand grains will spring.)
(61) 前人种树, 后人乘凉。(Ancestors plant trees while descendants enjoy the cool under the tree shade—enjoying the fruits of labor of one’s ancestors.)
From above, we can see that English and Chinese proverbs reflect their different geographical conditions. England is an island country, so many English proverbs are about “sea”, “fish”, “ship” and so on. While many Chinese proverbs are about agriculture, such as “豆”，“雪”，“仓”，“地”,etc.
3.2 Reflecting different history customs
Each nation has its own history. Since proverbs are historical products, they may reflect some aspects of the national history.
English proverbs are related to the history of England. E.g.: (62)“It is as hard to please a knave as a knight.” A knight refers to a man given the rank of knighthood by the British monarch. There are many legends about the English knights (e.g.: King Arthur and his green knights) in the ancient times; and (63)“From whipping post to pillory.” A whipping post is a post to which a person was tied for a public whipping and a pillory is a wooden framework with three holes into which the head and hands of an offender were loked, exposing him to public abuse and ridicule.[11]
China has a long history. There is thousands of years’ feudal society in China. People were bonded by the rank of class. The rulers exploit and bully the people cruelty. There are many Chinese proverbs about feudal and gender discrimination. E.g.:
(64) 只许州官放火,不许百姓点灯。(The magistrates are free to burn down houses, while the common people are forbidden even to light lam
ps. –The powerful can do what they want, the weak are not allowed to do anything.)
(65)朱门酒肉臭,路有冻死骨。(Behind the red doors meat and wine go to waste while out on the roads lie the bones of the frozen.)
(66) 嫁鸡随鸡,嫁狗随狗。(Marry a cock and follow the cock, marry a dog and follow the dog. —Follow the man you marry, be he fowl or cur.)[12]
From above we can see that English and Chinese proverbs reflect the different history. English proverbs are related to king and knight while Chinese proverbs reflect the Chinese people’s grudge and resistance to rulers.
3.3 Reflecting different religions
Religion is a very important part of culture. Different religions reflect different cultural characters, different cultural backgrounds and different cultural traditions. Religion is a cultural phenomenon. Proverbs are closely related to the culture, so proverbs can reflect the different religious faith. [13]
English people believe in Christianity and it is the most influential religion in the west. Many English proverbs reflect English people’s religious faith and many of them are about “God”, “devil”, “heaven”, “church”, “cross” and “hell”. E.g.:
(67) As poor as the church mouse.
(68) God helps those who help themselves.
(69) The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
(70) Better go to heaven in rags than to hell in embroidering.
(71) The way to heaven is by Weeping Cross.
The proverbs above are apparently related to Christianity, because in them “God”, “devil”, “heaven”, “church”, “cross” and “hell” appear which are the embodiments of Christianity.
（科教范文网http://fw.NSEAC.com编辑发布）
In contrast, Buddhism is the most popular religion in China. Many proverbs are about Buddhism such as:
(72)平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚。(Never burning incense when all is well, but clasping Buddha’s feet in an emergency.)
(73) 跑得了和尚,跑不了庙。(The monk may run away, but the temple can’t run with him. —A fugitive must belong to some place that can provide clues.)
(74)泥菩萨过河,自身难保。(Like a clay idol fording a river --hardly able to save one.)
(75)放下屠刀,立地成佛。(The butcher who lays down his knife at once becomes a Buddha.)
These proverbs are about 佛，和尚，庙and 菩萨。The doctrines of Buddhist admonish people to do good deeds and so they can go to the heaven after their death. Taoism comes next to Buddhism in China. There are proverbs about Taoism such as
