We all know proverbs, these little sentences which express a general truth.
Some have survived the centuries to the present day while others date from the last century.
From the Latin
“proverbium”
for
“proverb”
, the word is composed of
“pro”
(
“in place of”
) and
“verbum”
(
“word”
,
“word”
).
The proverb covers different notions.
They can be differentiated, although the line between them is fine and their meaning is not clearly defined.
We have the saying which rather states a fact (
"after the rain the good weather"
), the adage which expresses legal or practical advice (
"when the building goes, everything goes!"
), the maxim which lays down a rule of conduct (
“one must strike while the iron is hot”
), the sentence which issues a moral judgment (
“He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword”
) or the aphorism which summarizes a theory (
“ No news, good news"
).
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Rather than putting forward our own arguments, it is sometimes easier to state an idea recognized by society through these proverbs known to all which belong to the linguistic heritage of a country.
But some of them may have been forgotten.
Le Figaro
invites you to (re)discover them.
Anthology.
Also read “Oignon”: a spelling that reflects the errors of the French language
Each priest rents his relics
Let's imagine the following scene.
A mother asks a distant acquaintance, an executive in a large company, if he can take her son on an internship.
“He needs a helping hand to enter the world of work
,” she slips.
“Each priest praises his relics, my dear lady
,” replies his interlocutor.
This is a roundabout way to subtly respond to a request that can be embarrassing.
By this he means that everyone argues to defend their interests.
Little known, this proverb is nevertheless very old.
It is found in a short piece of verse in old French and Latin, in a 14th century manuscript entitled
Proverbia et versus proverbiorum
, cited by Gilles Guilleron in
Les 333 proverbesfavorites des Français
(Editions First, 2015).
Washing a donkey's head, you lose your laundry
Despite all his arguments, your office neighbor cannot convince a client.
"SO ?"
, you ask him after he hangs up with said customer.
“Washing a donkey’s head, you lose your detergent
,” he whispers to you.
This is an old saying that you've probably never heard.
You knew the expression
“be as stubborn as a donkey”
which exists in the form of a saying.
This is used for people with whom there is no way out.
So, there is no point wasting your time with them.
This proverb applies well to the situation: we are expressing our vain efforts to instruct and correct a stubborn and incorrigible person.
The origin of this proverb?
It is difficult to identify, however the latter is mentioned in the eighth edition of the Dictionary of the French Academy (1935) but also in the title of a sketch, a comedy-proverb, by the playwright Adolphe Poujol (1811-1898), produced in 1866. We owe more than two hundred creations to this man of the theater, his plays have been performed in several Parisian theaters.
In Dauphiné, we find a similar saying:
“Soap a black donkey, you will never make it white.”
Also read “Water lily”: incorrect spelling has come into use
Dog caress gives fleas
The child likes to flatter his parents to obtain some favors from them.
If they are not fooled by his flattery and are aware of the object of his desire, they can kindly retort:
“A dog's caress gives fleas.”
In other words,
“nice try, but we won’t get carried away by your praise”
.
Why talk about
“dog caress”
?
Man's best friend is known to be both affectionate and a flea carrier.
Likewise, behind flattery there is often a hypocritical intention.
This adage means that this
“caress”
does not bring anything good to the person who receives it.
It's better to arrive late than to arrive in a hearse
Our Quebec friends have a comeback.
To the superior who criticizes them for being late for an appointment, they may reply:
“It is better to arrive late than to arrive in a hearse.”
In other words, it is better to be careful and late than to kill yourself trying to be on time.
Punctuality is of little use when you are dead... This proverb is therefore used to say that it is better to do something well and carefully than to do everything wrong.
Especially when it comes to a matter that requires attention and caution.
Read alsoIn Quebec, French will have to occupy two-thirds of the facades and windows
A good wine, no sign
The proverb is very old.
Shakespeare himself slipped it into his play
As You Like It
:
“Good wine need no bush.”
We find it in the epilogue said by Rosalinde, act V, translated into French by François Guizot, in the Complete Works of Shakespeare (1863):
“If the proverb is true, that good wine does not need a sign , it is also true that a good play does not need an epilogue.”
In France, we find this saying under the title of a play by Plancher Valcourt (1751-1815).
We then find this saying mentioned in the sixth edition of the
Dictionary of the French Academy
(1835).
We use it when we want to mean that what is good is sufficiently known by its qualities and does not need to be advocated or praised.
In other words, there is no need for advertising to promote a product in commerce or a good candidate in politics.