Common Proverbs
A proverb is a short sentence that is repeated for generations. Proverbs are used to pass on wisdom in a way
that is memorable. Some proverbs are metaphors and others are more literal. They are often used in a
conversation when the speaker wants to give some advice or a warning. There are the 20 common proverbs
in English:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: When you spend time away from someone, you will start feeling more affectionate toward that
person.
Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: It's better to take action rather than just talking about what you plan to do
A picture is worth a thousand words
Meaning: It is much easier to understand something by seeing a picture rather than having someone tell you
about it. For Example, your friend who visited Italy could try to descrive the beautiful architecture to you, but
you will undertand much better if you see pictures
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Meaning: Beauty is subjective. It is a matter of personal opinion.To behold means to look, and the beholder is
the person who is looking.
Beauty is only skin deep
Meaning: Physical beauty is only on the surface. A person's character is more important.
Better late than never
Meaning: This proverb is quite literal. It is vetter to do something late than never doing it at all.
For example:
Professor: Your essay is late. Are you turning it in today?
Student: Yes, here it is! Better late than never.
Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family relationships are the most important. In this proverb, blood is a metaphor for family. For
example:, if your mother needs your help but you want to spend time with a friend, someone might remind
you that blood is thicker than water, and tou should prioritize your family.
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning:Curiosity can get you in trouble sometimes.
For example:
Julie: I wonder what's in that abandoned house!
Amanda: Don't go there. Curiosity killed the cat
Don't bite off more than you chew.
Meaning: Don't attempt to do more than you are capable of.
For example, if you accept too many responsibilities at work, you might not be able to compleete them all,
and then yopu may disappoint yourself or others.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don't make all your plans based on things that haven't happened yet.
For example:
Samantha: I'm sure I'll be accepted to Harvard, so I'll go ahead and rent an apartment in the area
Jessie: Don't count your chickens before they hatch. You haven't been accepted yet.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: If you put all tour eggs in one basket and you drop the basket, all your eggs will be broken. In other
words, don't invest everything in only one opportunity. If it doesn't work out, you will lose everything. This
proverb is similar to the one above, but not exactly the same.
For example:
Samantha: I'm only applying to Harvard because I'm sure I'll be accepted
Jessie: Why don't you apply to some other schools just in case? Don't pull all your eggs in one basket
The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: People who act quickly get better opportunities.
For example, if there is a sale at your favourite store, you will probablt want to go early to have more options.
Fun fact: Some restaurants offer discounts to people who come for dinner earlt. It's called the early bird
special
Ignorance is bliss
Meaning: People are happy not knowing some things.
For example, if you find out something terrible about your spouse, you were probably happier whe you didn't
know about it.
Money doesn't grow on trees
Meaning: We must recognize the value of money, because it is not so easy to come by. Parents love using this
proverb with with their children.
For example:
Child: I want a horse!
Parent: Horses are very expensive, and money doesn't grow on trees
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Meaning: People shouldn't criticize or insult others when they have their own faults that can be criticized.
Practise what you preach
Meaning: If you tell other people how important a particular behaviour is, then you should also exhibit that
behaviour.
For example:
Parent: You should never smoke cigarettes
Child: But you smoke. Why don't you practice what you preach?
No man is an island.
Meaning: Don't try to be independent in everything that you do. We depend on other people.
For example:
Helen: I don't need anyone's help. I'll run this whole company on my own!
Kevin: It's okay to ask for help.No man is an island.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
meaning: We always believe that other people have it better than we do, or that other opportunities would
be better than what we already have. Imagine one person looking over her neighbor's fence and thinking that
the grass in her neighbor's side.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Meaning: When tou are a visitor in another country or culture, you should follow their customs. Sometimes
people just say: when in Rome!
For example, if you travel in China, you could try eating with chopsticks
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Meaning: People get used to their habits, and it becomes very difficult to change.
For example,if you are used to watching TV everyday after work, it might be difficult to change tour habit and
start doing something else, like exercising.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
MEANING Being away from someone or something for a period of time makes you appreciate that
person or thing more when you see them or it again
EXAMPLE “I used to hate going to my aunt’s house, but now I kind of miss it. Absence makes the heart
grow fonder.”
Actions speak louder than words.
MEANING What you do is more important than what you say
EXAMPLE “Don’t just tell me you’re going to change. Do it! Actions speak louder than words.”
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
MEANING You must begin something if you hope to finish it; something that takes a long time to finish
begins with one step
EXAMPLE “If you want to lose weight, you need to stop eating junk, and you need to start exercising.
Today. Not tomorrow. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
All good things must come to an end
MEANING Everything ends; good times don’t last forever
EXAMPLE “I wish this vacation would go on forever. It’s too bad that all good things must come to an
end.”
A watched pot never boils
MEANING If something takes time to do, it doesn’t help to constantly check on it. You just have to give
it time.
EXAMPLE “I know you think he’s going to be a great guitar player one day, but stop criticizing him so
much. He just started taking lessons two weeks ago! A watched pot never boils.”
Beggars can’t be choosers
MEANING If you’re in a bad situation and someone offers to help you, you have to take whatever they
give you and shouldn’t ask for more
EXAMPLE “I was unemployed, and they offered me a job cleaning prison toilets. I didn’t like the job,
but I accepted it. Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Birds of a feather flock together
MEANING People who are similar spend time together
EXAMPLE “I think we all started hanging out because we all liked anime. Birds of a feather flock
together.”
Cleanliness is next to godliness
MEANING It’s good to be clean. God is clean, and you should be too.
EXAMPLE “Go take a shower before your date. You know what they say; cleanliness is next to
godliness.”
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
MEANING Don’t make someone angry or hurt someone who is helping you or paying for you
EXAMPLE “You had a fight with your boss? Are you stupid? Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Don’t judge a book by its cover
MEANING Don’t judge someone or something by appearance alone
EXAMPLE “Racism is still a problem today, and it will continue to be that way until we learn not to
judge a book by its cover.”
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
MEANING If you can do something today, do it. Don’t wait until tomorrow; don’t procrastinate.
EXAMPLE “You have 6 hours of free time now. You should start on that final psychology assignment.
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
Don’t put too many irons in the fire
MEANING Don’t try to do too many things at the same time; focus on one thing at a time
EXAMPLE “No wonder you’re exhausted. You’re trying to work 4 jobs at the same time! You have too
many irons in the fire right now.”
Easy come, easy go
MEANING When you make money quickly, it’s very easy to lose it quickly as well
EXAMPLE “I won $200 at the casino, and then I spent it on a very expensive meal for me and some
friends. Easy come, easy go.”
Fortune favors the bold
MEANING People who are brave and who take risks are more successful than people who are do things
safely all the time
EXAMPLE “It’s a risk, but the reward could be great. I say you go for it. Fortune favors the bold.”
God helps those who help themselves
MEANING Don’t just wait for good things to happen to you. Work hard to make them happen
EXAMPLE “If you want a better life, you can’t just sit on your butt thinking about it. You have to work
to make it happen. God helps those who help themselves.”
Good things come to those who wait
MEANING If you are patient, good things can happen
EXAMPLE “I know you’re hungry, but stop being so impatient. We just ordered our food. Good things
come to those who wait.”
Honesty is the best policy
MEANING It’s always better to tell the truth than it is to lie
EXAMPLE “If you want people to trust you, you need to be honest with them. Honesty is the best
policy.”
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
MEANING In any situation, be optimistic about the result, but always be ready for the worst outcome
EXAMPLE “We’re going on vacation next week. It’s supposed to rain a lot, so we’re bringing our
umbrellas and a bunch of board games. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
MEANING If something is already working well, don’t try to change it or improve it
EXAMPLE “Why are you trying to upgrade your PC again? It was working fine before. If it ain’t broke,
don’t fix it.”
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
MEANING If you can’t change someone’s behavior or opinion, sometimes it’s better or easier to do
what they want to do
EXAMPLE “I told Mark that we needed to study, but he kept playing video games. Eventually I gave up
and just played video games too. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
If you play with fire, you’ll get burned
MEANING If you get involved in something dangerous or beyond your abilities, you will probably
experience negative consequences
EXAMPLE “Don’t make him angry. If you play with fire, you’ll get burned.”
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself
MEANING Don’t depend on someone else to do a good job; do it yourself
EXAMPLE “I asked my roommate to wash the dishes, but they ended up super filthy! I guess it’s true
what they say: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
MEANING If someone is your enemy, treat them like a friend so you can be ready if they ever try to
betray you
EXAMPLE “We don’t trust each other, but we have to be nice to each other because we work for the
same company. I’m worried about him stealing my promotion, so I’m going to keep being nice to him. Keep
your friends close, but your enemies closer, and all that.”
Knowledge is power
MEANING The more you know, the more powerful you can be in different areas of your life
EXAMPLE “When we were kids, our parents taught us how to swim. That knowledge helped me to
save my cousin’s life when he was 5 years old. Knowledge is power.”
Laughter is the best medicine.
MEANING When you’re in a difficult situation, laughing can make it easier to get through that situation
EXAMPLE “I’m sorry to hear about your dog. Want to watch a funny movie? Sometimes, laughter is the
best medicine.”
Like father, like son
MEANING Said when a son is similar to his father; also, “Like mother, like daughter”
EXAMPLE “Ryan started playing hockey at a very young age. He’s just like his dad. Like father, like son.”
No man is an island
MEANING No one is truly capable of living alone. We need human connection to be healthy
EXAMPLE “You can’t just abandon your friends and family. No man is an island.”
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
MEANING If someone whom I don’t like doesn’t like someone else whom I don’t like, we can act like
friends and unite against the other person (common in war)
EXAMPLE “I don’t like you, you don’t like me. But I think we can agree that we both HATE Daniel. Let’s
work together and get him fired! The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?”
The grass is always greener on the other side
MEANING People always want what they don’t have
EXAMPLE A: “I’m jealous of all the free time my single friends have.”
B: “Yeah, but your friends are probably jealous of you too in some ways. The grass is always greener on the
other side.”
The pen is mightier than the sword
MEANING If you’re trying to convince someone of something, words and ideas are stronger than using
physical force (common in politics)
EXAMPLE “We must avoid this war and use diplomacy to solve our problems. The pen is mightier than
the sword.”
There is no place like home
MEANING Your home is the most comfortable place in the world
EXAMPLE “What a tiring vacation! I’m glad to be back in my own bed again. There’s no place like
home.”
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
MEANING Nothing is free. Even the things that are free have a hidden cost
EXAMPLE “His bank gave him $50 for free, but he had to commit to opening a credit card account.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
There is no time like the present
MEANING Don’t wait to do something. Do it now.
EXAMPLE “Why don’t you stop talking about needing to call your mom? Just CALL her! There is no
time like the present.”
The squeaky wheel gets the grease
MEANING The person who complains in a situation is more likely to get something.
EXAMPLE A: “I just don’t understand why she’s received so many promotions, and I’m still at the
bottom of the company!”
B: “She complains a lot. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
Time is money
MEANING Don’t waste your time or other people’s time; also, if you can use your time to make money
in some way, you should do that.
EXAMPLE “Hurry up! Time is money!”
Two heads are better than one
MEANING It’s easier to do something as a team than by yourself
EXAMPLE “I’m stuck on this project. Can you help me out? Two heads are better than one.”
Two wrongs don’t make a right
MEANING Trying to get revenge on someone who has hurt you will only make things worse
EXAMPLE “I know she made you angry, but did you have to steal her phone? Two wrongs don’t make a
right.”
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
MEANING When a situation becomes difficult, strong people don’t give up; they work harder
EXAMPLE “My great grandfather survived the Great Depression. You know the phrase, ‘when the
going gets tough, the tough get going?’ That was my great grandfather.”
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire
MEANING If something seems wrong, it probably is; also, there is usually some truth to a rumor
EXAMPLE “Matilda came to school with a black eye today. She cried when I asked her about it after
class and didn’t want to say anything about her parents. I don’t want to speculate too much, but where
there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.”
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink it
MEANING You can try to help someone by giving good advice, but you can’t force them to accept it or
follow it. EXAMPLE “She tried to help her brother find a job by improving his resume, but he didn’t do
anything with it. I guess you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink it.”
You can’t always get what you want
MEANING Don’t complain if you don’t get what you want
A SILENT SONG -LEONARD KIBERA - KENYA
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leonard Kibera is a Kenyan novelist and short story writer. Kibera was born in Kabete, Kenya, attended high
school at Embu and studied at the University of California and Stanford University. He taught at the
University of Zambia and at Kenyatta University, Kenya, from 1976 until his death. His first publication was a
book of short stories, Potent Ash (1968), which he wrote with his brother, Samuel Kahiga. The book explores
the guilt, betrayal, and failure of the Mau Mau. Several of the stories have been anthologized, especially The
Spider's Web, which points an accusing finger at Kenya's elite for the state of Kenya since independence. His
only novel, Voices in the Dark (1970), uses dark humour to question why most Mau Mau soldiers who fought
for independence were forgotten and left to beg and die along the roadside. Kibera has also written several
articles of literary criticism.
EPISODES
i. Mbane's life of misery in the streets as a lame, blind beggar. (p17 - 19).
ii. Mbanes's lonely self versus the bubbly world around him. (p18 - 19).
iii. Mbane's nostalgia. (p18).
iv. Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, rescues him. (p19 20).
SYNOPSIS
A Silent Song by Leonard Kibera is a story about Mbane, a young, paralyzed, blind city street beggar. He lives
in destitution, begging from the passers-by while seething with pain and discomfort. His brother, a wealthy
preacher, 'rescues' him from the barbaric city unto the 'light of God' after neglecting him for a long time.
Mbane painfully reminisces his street life with nostalgia at his brother's lonely hut. He is not as happy though
he is now in a more serene environment. He remembers the bright weather, lovely morning and beautiful
sunset as the city dwellers, pedestrians, dull and gay people during the day talk. At night, the good men and
women turned drunk, pimps and whore galore have their turn to smile. He begs day and night for a living. He
is nursed by Sarah, his brother's wife, who administers bitter fluid down his throat. He swallows it painfully,
and she assures him of being well. His religious brother, Ezekiel, preaches to him about Christ, the saved ones
and sinners. He asks him whether he knows where sinners go when they die and whether he accepts Jesus,
and Mbane says he doesn't know. Before he saves him, Mbane's strength wanes, the pain goes, his head
jerks down to the bed, and he is gone.
TITLE OF THE STORY
i. Discuss the relevance of the title of the story, A Silent Song.
ii. Brainstorm about the paradox in the title, A Silent Song.
THEMATIC CONCERNS
Explore the following themes as brought out in the story, A Silent Song.
i. Pain and misery of physical handicap
ii. Religious hypocrisy
iii. Prostitution and sexual slavery d) Alcoholism and escapism
PAIN AND MISERY OF PHYSICAL HANDICAP
In a sense, A Silent Song, an oxymoron, paradoxically echoes the moments of soul searching and reflections
that mbane has had over the period he stays on the street. This creates a more vivid picture of his life and a
cathartic emotional impact.
The miserable life on the street as a crippled, blind beggar seems less painful than in his brother's desolate
hut, where he is lonely and suffering. (p18). He has been speaking to himself in his thoughts and for a long
time on the street except for his mechanical plea of 'Yes?', he has no one else to address but himself. (p19).
Mbane undergoes much pain, agony, and suffering on the streets because of his life circumstances. Being
blind and lame has impaired his ability to live everyday life. 'Sharp pangs', 'savage fury', pain tore his
stomach'. (PI 7 - 19). He crawled on his knees and elbows... suddenly sharp pangs from his navel tore... He
was paralyzed. Then the pain disappeared... but he knew it had only recoiled for another attack. (PI 7). He has
heard noises, songs, and sounds of different people, but he retires to solitude, and thoughts start going
through his mind at the end of the day. It is like a dream, a song of hope, and he sings his happy song silently
to himself, secretly. (p20).
Mbane ponders the meaning of light to him... light mean to a blind man... (p19). At the point of death, as his
brother urges him to get saved, with reticence, he ponders on God's place and meaning in his life. People
despise him on the streets. Good Christian men and women would once again curse and call him able-bodied,
only crippled more every day by the idleness of leisurely begging. (p19). He sits there (street back lane) and
waits for his journey's end. His body smells of sweat, unwashed except in the rain, which he could but feel.
(p20). There is a wide gap between his beliefs and his brother's. His tortured body is already separated from
his free soul when he dies. (p20). The soul has already communicated in his silent song, smiling, at peace his
hosts, himself and everyone. (p20).
RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY/PRETENTIOUS PIETY
Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, is so devoted to God a preacher but neglects him for a long time till he realizes
Mbane is nearing his death. He picks him up and brings him to his hut, claiming it is rescuing only for Mbane
to feel lonelier and more miserable. "I rescued you from that barbaric city so that you can see the light of
God. (p18).
The desolate hut is not a habitable place for him. It has a flea-ridden floor. (PI 7). He could tell that there was
meaning in his brother's silence of late... (p18). Asked whether he knows a man called Jesus, he says "Yes",
but whether he believes and accepts him, Mbane says, "1 don't know," and his brother says Mbane is worse
than a Judas. This portrays hypocrisy, and Christians would not talk like this. It is ironical and hypocritical for
Ezekiel to tell Mbane, "Mbane - I want Christ to save you..." (p20) as though he has already judged him as a
sinner and that "Christ" will come down from heaven to do the good to him while his brother watches.
There is a pretence in the way good Christian men and women curse and call him names instead of bringing
the excellent knowledge of Christ to him. '... able-bodied, only crippled more every day by the idleness of
leisurely begging'. (p19). He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At
times, self-pity overcame him. (p18 - 19). The God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond the reach
of a wretched cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. (p18 - 20).
PROSTITUTION AND SEXUAL SLAVERY
There is evidence of such sexual evils as commercial sex and promiscuity.(p18). The blind man knows, sees,
and recalls City Street with nostalgia. The noises, drum beating and rhythms which Mbane calls the voices of
good men and women turned drunk in the refuge of the night brothels, pimps and whores galore. (p18).
ALCOHOLISM AND ESCAPISM
The street, especially the back lane, had taught Mbane a lot of ... good men and women turned drunk in the
refuge of the night brothels, pimps and whores galore. (PI 8).
CHARACTERS
L. Cite evidence from the text on the existence of the following character traits as portrayed in A Silent Song.
Mbane: observant, patient, sceptical, enduring...
Ezekiel: selfish, cruel, hypocritical. ..
Sarah: reserved,
2. How can you tell that Mbane 'sees' and knows a lot in the city street despite being blind?