Proverbs are never out of season

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From "Look before you leap" to "Practice what you preach," the wisdom of proverbs has captivated people throughout history. This engaging exploration highlights the significance of traditional proverbs and their modern adaptations. Wolfgang Mieder examines the various roles proverbs play today, from sales tactics to propaganda. He illustrates how proverbs evolve to reflect changing social attitudes, with original phrases morphing into advertising slogans or political rhetoric, and misogynistic sayings transforming into feminist messages. In investigating "Early to bed and early to rise," Mieder reveals that Benjamin Franklin did not originate this popular saying; only 5% of the proverbs in Poor Richard's Almanack were actually coined by him. He also traces "A picture is worth a thousand words" back to a 1921 advertising slogan and discusses the medical wisdom found in proverbs like "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." While such advice may be general, it embodies common-sense insights supported by medical scholarship. Furthermore, he explores the journey of "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water" from 16th-century Germany to the United States, noting its use by literary figures such as Martin Luther and George Bernard Shaw. This insightful examination reveals the enduring relevance and adaptability of proverbs in contemporary culture.