Exercises

Proverbial Wisdom

Express the idea behind each of these proverbs using different words as much as you can.

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The River Wear at Stanhope in County Durham.
© M. J. Richardson, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.

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Proverbial Wisdom

© M. J. Richardson, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0. Source

The River Wear at Stanhope in County Durham.

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“Still waters run deep...” and the River Wear at Stanhope in County Durham provides proof of the old saw. The photographer is looking upstream from the churning ford and stepping-stones, towards deeper and calmer waters. The proverb reminds us that what is visible to the eye is not always a good guide to what is hidden underneath, and that the man who is placid and even dull on the outside may be full of secrets or turbulent passions within.

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Introduction

On this page you will a find a selection of brief sayings, including short quotations from English literature as well as traditional proverbs. Choose a saying, and try to express the idea in different words as much as you can. In what circumstances might you use this quotation?

The sayings in this puzzle are taken randomly from a list of 750 proverbial sayings.

Note: Many of these proverbs and quotations are in archaic English, and neither grammar nor spelling has been modernised.

1. The greatest attribute of heaven is mercy;
And ’tis the crown of justice, and the glory,
Where it may kill with right, to save with pity.

John Fletcher (1579-1625)

The Lover’s Progress (Lisander), Act III., Scene III.

2. I mean not to run with the Hare and holde with the
Hounde.

John Lyly (?1553-1606)

Euphues, Euphues to Philautus

3. Expect not praise without envy until you are dead.

Charles Caleb Colton (1780-1832)

Lacon, CCXLV

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