Language
German Proverbs through the eyes of an artist
The German language possesses a large treasure of Proverbs. We use these little and big gems of wisdom every day, without sometimes to know where they come from. We present you every week a proverb.
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Bad luck in game, luck in love
Basically it will not work, only comfort: I win why not the lottery, because I’m happily in love I am. Then it’s Yes well. Conversely, it is not so good: Verzocke I have our own House, then me, my husband, not with flowers lavish. Perhaps this “wisdom” is a derivation from the Spanish proverb: “are you Looking for luck in the game that beckons you home the bad luck”.
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A good Conscience is a soft pillow
Certainly, this is one of the most charming German Proverbs. Do nothing Evil, and You’ll get a good night’s sleep – more, it States not. Wise words, but – was the tax return not long due? Why is the call with aunt Ursel is still undone? Who has an all round good Conscience? The saying does not help in every case of insomnia!
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Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones
This saying comes from Germany, how they were formed, however, is not occupied. The image, however, is clear. In the Bible it says in a similar sense: “Who of you is without sin, cast the first stone”, and also: “Thou beholdest the mote that is in thy brother’s eye and not the beam in your own.” No one is without sin, implied in this proverb, we all live in glass houses.
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Many cooks spoil the broth
Together to cook, can be fun. But the Seasoning should only be a copy. Otherwise tastes the food. The origin of this saying is not exactly known, their message is: If too many (professional)people at the same time, in order to a thing to take care of, impede they often each other. In German workplaces are clearly structured hierarchies are not always necessarily the case…
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Clothes make the man
This saying was almost unchanged from the Latin “Vestis virum reddit”, “clothes make the man”. The saying was also the title of a Novella by Gottfried Keller, by a Schneidergesellen is, because of his Outer for a count is kept. Mark Twain summed it up nicely: “naked people have no influence in the society.”
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Shards bring luck
Many of the Jewish wedding custom known, in which the groom a glass of squash, to symbolically at the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem to remember. In Germany are on the “eve”, the evening before the Wedding, plates and cups made of porcelain shattered. Shards bring just happiness and make work, for most of the future couple even clean up.
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A gift horse do not look into the mouth
Earlier it was very popular, horses to give away. Besides, it was considered extremely rude in the presence of the original owner of dentist-to-play, to the age and condition of the horse (and its value) to check. A modern variant of this proverb could be: “Google is not the price of a gift in the presence of the well-wishers.”
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Lies have short legs
Saying this popular saying that small people are more likely to lie? Of course not. It should rather mean that you do not lie far. As you also said: “Whoever is lying, is not believed even when he speaks the truth.” And an African variant of the phrase in white: “With a lie, you can even go out to eat, but not a second Time.”
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Even a blind chicken finds sometimes a grain
No, this is no praise. Even the most incompetent manage to every now and again something, that should this proverb mean. So like a blind dog a chance something can find, some here or there just lucky. With Can has the in such a case, nothing to do. But you can use this proverb against the grain brushes: With the right attitude can so many succeed!
-
Everyone is architect of his own fortune
This saying seems a bit to optimistic for the often rather critical of the set German. No wonder, it originates but originally not from the Germanic. For the first time, there will be around 300 BC the Roman Consul Appius Claudius Caecus attributed. And as a good German you have to ask yourself: If everyone is for his own happiness and is responsible, applies then also for the misfortune?
-
All good things are three
In life and on the game of chance machines are always “good things come in threes.” The luck may for years have left, before it is then after this saying the same three times in a row returns. Charles Frey, of the game of chance machines invented, took the saying quite literally. Three Freiheitsglocken side-by-side mean in their devices are still the jackpot.
-
Opportunity makes the thief
Give a macaque-monkeys the Chance, and he will give you the backpack empty spaces. Without the but, if he would go in peace his Affairs. The German proverb “opportunity makes the thief” describes this temptation to the point. Is the saying about out of date? So we would never illegal movies to stream or download music…
-
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
It is said that the origin of the phrase has to do with twins to do that on new moon were born: If the one of two in a family quarrel was killed, then got the Survivors – “Abfell” – a year long all what he needed. And even more. At the end of the year he had, however, kill: The Abfell (twin) (died) not so far from the tribe (family).
-
As one calls into the forest, so it echoes out
This German proverb there is a Bible quote with a similar message: “for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Straightforward means in English: “What goes around comes around.” To cause and effect, the aim of this proverb, just for the Echo and not the boomerang. In the image from our hikers a Jay a Wake-up call.
-
Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund
This saying is not only in German handed down – she was already the ancient Romans familiar with. The scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam has the Latin Version modified: “Aurora musis amica”, “The dawn is the creativity friend”. The English “The early bird catches the worm” is also found in German conversations more and more frequently again: “The early bird catches the worm”.
-
Bad luck in game, luck in love
Basically it will not work, only comfort: I win why not the lottery, because I’m happily in love I am. Then it’s Yes well. Conversely, it is not so good: Verzocke I have our own House, then me, my husband, not with flowers lavish. Perhaps this “wisdom” is a derivation from the Spanish proverb: “are you Looking for luck in the game that beckons you home the bad luck”.
-
A good Conscience is a soft pillow
Certainly, this is one of the most charming German Proverbs. Do nothing Evil, and You’ll get a good night’s sleep – more, it States not. Wise words, but – was the tax return not long due? Why is the call with aunt Ursel is still undone? Who has an all round good Conscience? The saying does not help in every case of insomnia!
-
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones
This saying comes from Germany, how they were formed, however, is not occupied. The image, however, is clear. In the Bible it says in a similar sense: “Who of you is without sin, cast the first stone”, and also: “Thou beholdest the mote that is in thy brother’s eye and not the beam in your own.” No one is without sin, implied in this proverb, we all live in glass houses.
-
Many cooks spoil the broth
Together to cook, can be fun. But the Seasoning should only be a copy. Otherwise tastes the food. The origin of this saying is not exactly known, their message is: If too many (professional)people at the same time, in order to a thing to take care of, impede they often each other. In German workplaces are clearly structured hierarchies are not always necessarily the case…
-
Clothes make the man
This saying was almost unchanged from the Latin “Vestis virum reddit”, “clothes make the man”. The saying was also the title of a Novella by Gottfried Keller, by a Schneidergesellen is, because of his Outer for a count is kept. Mark Twain summed it up nicely: “naked people have no influence in the society.”
-
Shards bring luck
Many of the Jewish wedding custom known, in which the groom a glass of squash, to symbolically at the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem to remember. In Germany are on the “eve”, the evening before the Wedding, plates and cups made of porcelain shattered. Shards bring just happiness and make work, for most of the future couple even clean up.
-
A gift horse do not look into the mouth
Earlier it was very popular, horses to give away. Besides, it was considered extremely rude in the presence of the original owner of dentist-to-play, to the age and condition of the horse (and its value) to check. A modern variant of this proverb could be: “Google is not the price of a gift in the presence of the well-wishers.”
-
Lies have short legs
Saying this popular saying that small people are more likely to lie? Of course not. It should rather mean that you do not lie far. As you also said: “Whoever is lying, is not believed even when he speaks the truth.” And an African variant of the phrase in white: “With a lie, you can even go out to eat, but not a second Time.”
-
Even a blind chicken finds sometimes a grain
No, this is no praise. Even the most incompetent manage to every now and again something, that should this proverb mean. So like a blind dog a chance something can find, some here or there just lucky. With Can has the in such a case, nothing to do. But you can use this proverb against the grain brushes: With the right attitude can so many succeed!
-
Everyone is architect of his own fortune
This saying seems a bit to optimistic for the often rather critical of the set German. No wonder, it originates but originally not from the Germanic. For the first time, there will be around 300 BC the Roman Consul Appius Claudius Caecus attributed. And as a good German you have to ask yourself: If everyone is for his own happiness and is responsible, applies then also for the misfortune?
-
All good things are three
In life and on the game of chance machines are always “good things come in threes.” The luck may for years have left, before it is then after this saying the same three times in a row returns. Charles Frey, of the game of chance machines invented, took the saying quite literally. Three Freiheitsglocken side-by-side mean in their devices are still the jackpot.
-
Opportunity makes the thief
Give a macaque-monkeys the Chance, and he will give you the backpack empty spaces. Without the but, if he would go in peace his Affairs. The German proverb “opportunity makes the thief” describes this temptation to the point. Is the saying about out of date? So we would never illegal movies to stream or download music…
-
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
It is said that the origin of the phrase has to do with twins to do that on new moon were born: If the one of two in a family quarrel was killed, then got the Survivors – “Abfell” – a year long all what he needed. And even more. At the end of the year he had, however, kill: The Abfell (twin) (died) not so far from the tribe (family).
-
As one calls into the forest, so it echoes out
This German proverb there is a Bible quote with a similar message: “for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Straightforward means in English: “What goes around comes around.” To cause and effect, the aim of this proverb, just for the Echo and not the boomerang. In the image from our hikers a Jay a Wake-up call.
-
Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund
This saying is not only in German handed down – she was already the ancient Romans familiar with. The scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam has the Latin Version modified: “Aurora musis amica”, “The dawn is the creativity friend”. The English “The early bird catches the worm” is also found in German conversations more and more frequently again: “The early bird catches the worm”.
How many German Proverbs do you know? And you also know exactly what you mean? Deutsche Welle explains the wisdom of life, which in common parlance are common – illustrated by Antje Herzog. Once per week we introduce you to a new sweetheart from the collection of German Proverbs. And provide you sure the one or other Surprise.
Facts from an expert
In the German language there are about 250,000 of Proverbs and sayings. A proverb is an average of seven words long. As a Professor at the U.S. University of Vermont in Burlington is Wolfgang Mieder expert of German language and Folklore. DW editor Kate Müser has with him about the differences between a proverb and a parable, spoken to, and explain why a phrase to him in English perfectly like in German would never work. Here is the
Interview.
Watch Video
04:25
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German Proverbs in pictures
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German Proverbs in pictures
Here you can hear how Stephan Kaiser the book of Proverbs gives life:
Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund
As one calls into the forest, so it echoes out
The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Opportunity makes the thief
All good things are three
Everyone is architect of his own fortune
Even a blind chicken finds sometimes a grain
Lies have short legs
A gift horse do not look into the mouth
Shards bring luck
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones
A good Conscience is a soft pillow
In the following time-lapse Video, you can Antje Herzog when you Draw a watch, while one of the illustrations of our series. You recognize, what proverb is it?
Watch Video
00:52