Differences between the proverbs in different countries! Proverbs appears around the planet, in every country or culture of our world. We can find numerous proverbs that are related between them, even

Isabel

Differences between the proverbs in different countries! Proverbs appears around the planet, in every country or culture of our world. We can find numerous proverbs that are related between them, even if are involving different cultures like the Spanish with the UK culture. One of these proverbs, which are famous in either cultures or countries, is the proverb called in UK or in an english spoken country, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", that in Spain its similar proverbs is the next, " Better a bird in hand than a hundred flying". As we can see, both proverbs has a similar meaning, which in this case could be that if you have something valuable, you must keep it even if you can find, but not for sure, the same thing that you have but with more value than the thing that you already have. That means that sometimes is better if you save and take care of the things that you already have, because sometimes if you try to change that for more things similar to that one, but without the conviction of having it at 100%, you can lose everything. The differences between both proverbs could be that the English one refers to change one thing that is yours, for two things that you don't have yet, and in the Spanish proverb that two thing change for 100 things, which are not sure that you will catch even if you try it with all your strength. Take care of the things that you already have, and forget about things that you may lose if you are too greedy!

Nov 6, 2013 9:43 AM

Corrections · 5

Differences between theproverbs in different countries!

Proverbs appear all over the planet, in every country and culture in the world. We can find numerous proverbs that are similar to each other, even though they come from different cultures, like the Spanish and British cultures.

One of these proverbs, which is famous in multiple cultures or countries, is the proverb which in the UK (or other English speaking countries) is that: 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'. A similar proverb also exists in Spain, which is: 'It's better to have a bird in your hand, than a hundred flying above your head'.

As we can see, both proverbs have a similar meaning, which in this case could be that if you have something valuable, you should keep it, even if you may be able to find something similar, but with a greater value than the thing that you already have. It advises that it's sometimes better to save and take care of the things that you already have, because sometimes if you try to exchange them for something similar, but without the total certainty of obtaining it, you might lose everything.

The difference between both proverbs could be that the English one refers to exchanging one thing that is yours, for two things that you don't have yet, and might not ever get, whereas, in the Spanish proverb, you exchange two things for 100 things, but that you are even less sure that you will be able to get them even if you try it with all your strength.

So, take care of the things that you already have, and forget about the things that you don't have, as if you are too greedy you may lose everything!

I think that there is a degree of truth in this proverb; never be complacent and assume that you can always have more... However, we also say 'who dares, wins!' And 'where there's a will, there's a way!' I would not like people to limit their ambitions simply through fear, or self doubt!

But I do agree that we should be grateful and appreciative of what we already have. But even so, if you realistically think that you can achieve more, then go for it! But of course, don't be blinded by greed or the pursuit of power! That is what we call hubris: the overestimation of self, leading to downfall!

April 8, 2014