Appreciating Proverbs and Maxims

The value of proverbs and maxims lies mostly in the truths

and precepts they impart. But, they may also be
appreciated for their literary and artistic value. A number
of proverbs and maxims use literary devices such as the
following:

1. Imagery- is the use of words that evoke mental pictures that appeal
the senses.
Example: No matter how high a bird flies, it has to come down for water.

2. Simile and Metaphor- refer to the use of direct or indirect comparison.

Example: The tongue is like a sharp knife; it kills without drawing blood.

3. Personification- is the attribution of a human quality to an inanimate object.

Example: Pride invites calamity: humility reaps its harvest.

4. Alliteration- is the repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Example: Speak softly, and be slow to begin your speech.

5. Repetition- is the use of a word or a phrase more than once in passage.

Example: Sweet-melon lips, bitter-melon heart.

6. Parallelism- is the use of similar structure in the use of words, phrases,

or clauses.
Example: His mouth is honey, his heart is a heart.

Reference:

Galvez N., Malicsi M., Ribo., Rijos L. et. al. (2016) Language in Literature Afro-Asian Literature:
 Manila, Vibal Group Inc. (page 8)

Interpreting Epigrams
The following are examples of epigrams taken from the Book of Tao

1. When knowledge and cleverness appeared,

Great hypocrisy followed in its wake. (XVII)

2. He who stands on his tiptoe does not stand firmly;

He who stains his stride does not walk well;
He who reveals himself is not luminous;
He who justifies himself is not far-famed;
He who boasts of himself is not given credit;
He who prides himself is not chief among men;
These are drugs and tumors of virtue
They are things of disgust
Therefore, the man of Tao spurns them.

3. He who knows does not speak;

He who knows does not know.

Reference:
Galvez N., Malicsi M., Ribo., Rijos L. et. al. (2016) Language in Literature Afro-Asian Literature:
Manila, Vibal Group Inc. (page 13)

Reading a Folktale

You can enjoy reading a folklore by doing the following:

1. Picture the setting and the action.

2. Learn about the character by paying attention to:
a) What they say and do.
b) What other characters say about them; and
c) What the author tells about them.
3. Note how one event leads to another.
4. Predict the outcome of events.
5. Watch out for surprises.

Reference:

Galvez N., Malicsi M., Ribo., Rijos L. et. al. (2016) Language in Literature Afro-Asian Literature:
Manila, Vibal Group Inc. (page 13)