14
Proverbs about human qualities
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 60–62
GoalKnow what a proverb is; explain the meaning of proverbs and use them in speech.
New words
proverb · maqolvirtue, good quality · fazilatwisdom · hikmatexperience · tajriba
Explanation
A proverb is a short, meaningful wise saying created by the people. It arose from people’s life experience over centuries and passed from mouth to mouth. The textbook gives proverbs about human virtues. We do not copy them here; we study proverbs in our own text. When reading a proverb we try to understand both its direct meaning and its lesson.
Worked examples
“A talk with grandfather”. The grandchild asked grandfather: “Why do we need proverbs?” Grandfather said: “A proverb is a drop of many years’ experience.” Then he said the proverb “Yetti o‘lchab, bir kes” (Measure seven times, cut once) and explained that we must think well before starting a task. The proverb “Til — dilning tarjimoni” (The tongue is the heart’s interpreter) means that our words show our heart. Hearing “Mehnatning tagi — rohat” (The root of work is ease), the grandchild said: “So if I study well now, I will be happy later.”
“Proverb” in other languages: English – proverb, German – Sprichwort, French – proverbe.
Class activity
“Half a proverb”: the teacher says the first half of a proverb; children finish it and explain its meaning.
Practice
1
What did grandfather compare a proverb to?
A drop of many years’ experience
2
What does “Yetti o‘lchab, bir kes” teach?
To think carefully before starting a task
3
What does the proverb “Til — dilning tarjimoni” mean?
Our words show our heart.
4
What conclusion did the grandchild draw from “Mehnatning tagi — rohat”?
If he or she studies well now, they will be happy later.
5
What is a proverb called in English?
Proverb