Where do Proverbs come from?
Proverbs come from two primary sources: the common and the wise. These two sources are not really distinct. Something common and popular has often been documented by the wise, and something written by the wise has often been liked and freely used by the common man. The latter is the case where quotations graduate to proverbs. Proverbs have largely originated from the traditional and collective wisdom of mankind. By way of examples, • Little strokes fell great oaks has obviously come from the common experience of wood-cutters in olden times. • A stitch in time saves nine has evidently come from the experience of housewives in managing clothes. Many English proverbs owe their origin to the Bible, e.g., A soft answer turneth away wrath. In addition to the Bible, several proverbs are believed to have their origin in the works of William Shakespeare. It is difficult to be certain whether these proverbs were truly invented by Shakespeare or were already in existence before or around his time
