Proverbs or Zarbol Masals
A Proverb (in Persian: Goftaar-e-Kheradmandaaneh or Zarbolmassal), derived from the Latin term of Proverbium, is a short sentence, usually known by many people, expressing something commonly experienced, or giving advice. Proverbs are part of every spoken language and folk literature, originating in oral tradition. One proverb may be completely similar in different languages and cultures. Most proverbs express some basic truth or practical precept. The study of proverbs is called Paremiology. Proverbs are as a part of the Iranian culture and everyday speech, and their understanding can lead to a more profound insight into language and culture. These proverbs always had a strong affinity with Persian Poetry and Literature, and have retained a symbiotic relationship with those arts over a long period of time.
FIRST CONTRIBUTERS TO THE COLLECTIONS OF PERSIAN PROVERBS:
Ferdowsi (935-1020), the first Iranian poet of national epics, is also known undoubtedly to be the first Iranian who professionally introduced many proverbs in his Epic Book of Shahnameh. Asadi Tusi (died in 1072)with book of Garshaspnameh and his Persian Dictionary of Asadi , Iraj Mirza (1874-1926), Ali Akbar-e-Dehkhoda (1879-1959) with Proverbs and Mottos (in Persian: Amssaal-o-Hekam)in four volumes, Amirgholi Amini with Farhang-e-Avaam, Mehdi Partovi Amoli with Risheh-haa-ye-Tarikhi Amssal-o-Hekam are only a few of poets and journalism who worked on Iranian proverbs.
Here are few examples of PERSIAN PROVERBS translated to English:
1. It is better to be in chains with friends, than to be in a garden with strangers.
2.A broken hand works, but not a broken heart.
3. An egg thief becomes a camel thief.
4. He who has been bitten by a snake fears a piece of string.
5. He who wants a rose must respect the thorn.
6. In the ants' house the dew is a flood.
7.The larger a man's roof the more snow it collects.
8.Do not cut down the tree that gives you shade.
9.A bad wound heals but a bad word does not.
10.When the cat and the mouse agree, the store manager is broke.
11.Treat your superior as a father, your equal as a brother, and your inferior as a son.
12.One who has wisdom is powerful.
13. Spilled water cannot be gathered again.
14.A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.
15.The world is a rose. Smell it, and pass it to your friends.
By Manouchehr Saadat Noury - Persian Journal