Agency Dictionary
proverb
nounPronunciation: /ˈprɒv.ɜːb/
In Portuguese: provérbio
Writing & Narrative
Culture & IdentityWhat does “proverb” mean?
A short, pithy saying in frequent and widespread use that expresses a perceived truth or piece of practical advice.
Etymology
From Old French proverbe, from Latin proverbium (a common saying), composed of pro- (forth, in public) and verbum (word). The Latin name described a phrase put out in public, that is, a saying current among people.
Usage note
An adage tends to be old and widely accepted; an aphorism is a brief, witty statement of principle by a known author; a proverb is a short traditional saying expressing popular wisdom.
Synonyms
Word family
- proverbial
- proverbially
Usage examples
Think about the following African proverb, which could very well be considered an aphorism for being concise and meaningful
Writing.2 - Aphorisms The Art of Worldly Wisdom, How to reach excellence, Proverb 8 - Baltasar Gracián
Writing.1 - The Titanic Theory
Concepts
- AphorismAn aphorism is a concise, memorable statement that expresses a general truth, ethical principle, or philosophical observation in very few words. Unlike casual sayings, it…
- Gracián's Principle of BrevityGracián's principle of brevity is the philosophical doctrine that artistic excellence and wisdom reside in concentration and quality rather than hollow volume…
- Star WarsStar Wars is the science fiction film saga created by George Lucas, begun in 1977. The Agency editorial quotes one of its best-known lines, spoken by the Jedi master…
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Rebirthnoun
- A new beginning after a period of decline or destruction, used in mythology to describe the cyclical return to life after death. In Archetype.0, rebirth is the defining characteristic of both the Bennu and the Phoenix.
- Discursiveadjective
- Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
- shogunatenoun
- A feudal military dictatorship in Japan, headed by a shogun, in which loyalty and honour were central to its operation. The system was exclusive to Japan and did not exist in other Asian nations.
- Monoclenoun
- A single eyeglass lens designed to correct or enhance vision in one eye, held in place by the facial muscles around the eye socket.
Also from these editions: terms
- Antithesisnoun
- A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
- paperweightnoun
- A small, heavy object placed on loose sheets of paper to prevent them from scattering or blowing away.
- quotationnoun
- A group of words taken verbatim from a published text or speech and repeated by another author.
- eppur si muoveother
- An Italian phrase meaning and yet it moves. It is used to affirm that a fact remains true no matter who denies it.
- omissionnoun
- The intentional or accidental act of leaving something out or excluding details from a statement or text.
- Treatisenoun
- A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.
- Maximnoun
- A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
- verbatimadjective
- In exactly the same words as the original, word for word. Said of a quotation or a transcription that changes nothing.
- clevernessnoun
- The mental quality of being quick-witted, agile, and ingenious in solving specific situational problems.
- rhetoricnoun
- The art of effective and persuasive speaking or writing, especially through strategic linguistic devices.
- literary devicenoun
- A technique that a writer uses to produce a particular effect or to convey meaning, such as metaphor, irony, repetition, quotation or aphorism.
- collective consciousnessnoun
- The set of beliefs, ideas and feelings shared by the members of a society, which exists beyond any single person. By extension, what a community knows and repeats in common.
Also from these editions: concepts
- The Titanic TheoryThe Titanic Theory is a literary manifesto and philosophical framework for writers navigating an automated, post-literary era. It posits that writers must act as…
- CatharsisCatharsis is the psychological and emotional release experienced by individuals when engaging deeply with intense artistic or dramatic narratives. First formulated…
- Technical ImageA technical image is a visual representation produced through scientific or mechanical apparatuses such as photography, cinema, and digital screens. It reorganizes human…
- The Iceberg TheoryThe Iceberg Theory is a literary technique coined by Ernest Hemingway asserting that the deeper meaning of a story should not be visible on the surface. By deliberately…
- Philosophical WisdomPhilosophical wisdom is the integrated capacity to synthesize deep moral understanding, sound ethical judgment, and lived experience in navigation of human life. It…
- David HumeDavid Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian and economist, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Western philosophy. In Writing.2, the article…
- Post-Literary EraA post-literary era is a cultural epoch where linear alphabetic reading ceases to be the dominant medium for storing, transmitting, and processing human knowledge. It is…
- Aphoristic StyleAphoristic style is a literary mode of writing composed of detached, numbered, or highly condensed statements that convey complex philosophical ideas with striking…
- Show, Don't TellShow, don't tell is a classic creative writing maxim advising authors to convey characters, emotions, and settings through sensory action rather than direct exposition…
- State of NatureThe state of nature is a foundational philosophical concept used to hypothesize the human condition prior to the establishment of organized political societies, civil…
- SophismA sophism is a plausibly phrased argument or line of reasoning that appears logically valid on the surface but contains an underlying intentional fallacy meant to…