Proverbs or expressions reveal a culture’s wisdom and its moral teachings of deep wisdom. The use of proverbs is as old as Latin American culture. Recently, seventh grade students worked with proverbs and tried to decode them. Each student looked for information and then shared what they learned in class. Can you imagine students understanding the phrase "En boca cerrada no entran moscas”? These were some of the proverbs that middle schoolers shared with their group.
Do any of the proverbs below have an equivalent in English? I’m sure they do!
A caballo regalado no se le mira colmillo.
La curiosidad mató al gato.
Llegando el payaso, soltando la risa.
A mal tiempo, buena cara.
Guerra avisada no mata a soldado, y si lo mata es por despistado.
La mentira tiene patas cortas.
El perezoso trabaja doble.
Muerto el perro se acaba la rabia.
Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.
A quien madruga, Dios lo ayuda.
Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.
El que tiene rabo de paja no se acerca a la candela.
Árbol que nace torcido nunca su rama endereza.
En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo.
Did you know that the Hispanic culture has the biggest variety of proverbs? And since each country or region has its own phrases, the Spanish language is so varied, special and surprising.
If you see a seventh-grader, ask him/her about the meaning of these proverbs. You will be surprised by their answers.