Czech Proverbs (Proverb Series) [Paperback]

Joanne Asala (Author)

Book Description

Series: Proverb Series | Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Four qualities are said to be necessary for a saying to be called a proverb: brevity, sense, "salt," and popularity. But however you define it, the short, wise sayings of the Czech people are unlike the proverbs of any other culture. There is a sharp, biting wit in nearly every adage, but it is a humor that does more than entertain the listener. The wit, like the barb of an arrow, makes the proverb stick in the mind. Consider these: "Each stone you throw at your neighbor's roof will fall upon your own house." The Lord will help the navigator, but only if he rows." "Honor rests on the tip of your tongue."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joanne Asala is an editor and writer dedicated to the preservation of folklore and traditional customs. Of Polish and Finnish descent, she grew up in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and earned and English and medieval literature degree from the University of Iowa. She has edited several books of proverbs for Penfield, including "Polish Proverbs." She is the author of "Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen."

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Penfield Pr (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572160101
• ISBN-13: 978-1572160101
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,545,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A loving word is better than sweet kolache!, November 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Czech Proverbs (Proverb Series) (Paperback)

Colorful egg paintings by Marjorie Kopecek Nejdl of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Daniela Sipkova-Mahoney of Portland, Oregon, grace front and back covers. Art work inside is from antique line engravings of the Czech Republic.

According to editor Joanne Asala of Chicago: "The short wise sayings of the Czech people are unlike the proverbs of any other culture. There is a sharp, biting wit in nearly every adage, but it is a humor that does more than entertain the listener. The wit, like the barb of an arrow, makes the proverb stick in the mind.''

Examples of Czech proverbs:

Only in water can you learn to swim.

He to whom the Lord has shown a treasure must dig it out himself.

Our parents teach us how to speak, the world teaches us how to be silent. That which is soon ripe is soon rotten.

Water is cheaper than medicine.

The swallow carries spring on her wings.

In life we sometimes laugh, in life we sometimes cry.

Youth is not a virtue.

Joanne Asala is an editor and writer dedicated to the preservation of folklore and traditional customs. Of Polish and Finnish descent, she grew up in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and earned an English and Medieval literature degree from the University of Iowa. She is the author of "Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen," and has edited several collections of proverbs for Penfield Press, including "Norwegian Proverbs," "Swedish Proverbs," "Words of Wisdom from the Vikings" and "Polish Proverbs."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Helpings of Czech Wit & Wisdom, December 13, 2004

By 

Diane Kunza (Marshall North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Czech Proverbs (Proverb Series) (Paperback)

This compact, colorful volume is a gem. Filled with witticisms and warnings such as: "Do not select your wife at a dance but from a field of workers," "Do not look for apples under an oak tree," "Don't praise the banquet until you are going home," "Do not jump high in a room with a low ceiling," and "If a fool could keep silent he would not be a fool." In addition, throughout are delightful idiomatic woodcuts and drawings of the Bohemian countryside rendered by artists from the old country.

Here's a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys the written word, or sharing words of wisdom. And remember to keep in mind, "Happy thoughts are half your health."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A nice English book, July 20, 2007

By 

discgolf22 (Central Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Czech Proverbs (Proverb Series) (Paperback)

There are a lot of proverbs that Czech families throw out when trying to make a point. I guess my expectation would be to have the Czech proverb first with an English Translation following. There are a few Czech translations in the book but not many. The book is a mainly a list of the English version of popular Czech sayings. It is a very nicely decorated book and I did enjoy looking through it. Didn't want anyone else to be disappointed if you were looking for a one stop shop of Czech sayings in both Czech and English.