Proverbs With Nationalist Pretensions
Proverbs tend to be assigned to, ascribed to or claimed by nations or nationalities. Silly really, because proverbs are, by definition, universal in nature. On the other hand, some connections - if somewhat stereotypical - make intuitive sense:
The Tsarina’s breasts yield milk, not wine. (Russian proverb of the upper crust)
You can’t heat a stove on promised wood. (Russian proverb from the breadcrumb class)
Bed…is the poor man’s opera. (Italian proverb)
The first sip of broth is always the hottest. (Irish proverb)
The price spoils the pleasure. (French proverb)
It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must also know how to fall.
(American Indian proverb)
You can’t change a snake by passing it through a bamboo tube. (Japanese proverb)
Other days, other ways. (Classical Greek proverb)
The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine. (Really classical Greek proverb)
The innkeeper loves the drunkard, but not for a son-in-law. (Jewish proverb)
Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm. (Malayan proverb)
Grain by grain, a loaf of bread; stone by stone a castle. (Yugoslavian proverb)
And my personal favorite:
Eat coconuts while you have teeth. (Singhalese proverb)
