Ideas across traditions · wisdom · Hebrew & Jewish

proverb

Works in 12 traditions beyond Hebrew & Jewish attest this concept, on 4,862 cited pages. Translators have rendered it as “adagia”, “proverbia”, “gnomai”, “משלי” and 6 other ways; a link through a rendering is marked as such, because another translator chose differently.

Also under: “adagia” · “proverbia” · “gnomai” · “משלי” · “paroemia” · “paroimia” · “παροιμία” · “proverbium” · “adagium” · “prouerbium”

52works in other traditions, with a cited page

0works in Hebrew & Jewish, its home tradition on the maps

259further works where only a vocabulary list or keyword names it; not shown

0judged analogues in other traditions (a different word for a neighbouring idea)

In other traditions

Ordered by the earliest work in each tradition that attests the concept. Within a tradition, works run from earliest to latest by conventional composition date.

Greekfrom 750 BCE · 8 works

750 BCEHomer, Iliad & Odysseysame word and a translator’s rendering9 pages · 17 editions
- Adagia — proverbsarents ; strange, these hoopoes, which Orus the hieroglyphic writer also mentions in that sense. On this matter, see theHomeri quae extant omnia (Sponde, with Hymns), 1606, p. 116 · flagged as a term by the translator
- gnōmai — maximscontinues from previous page # PLUTARCH Homer brought forth manyOmerou ilias. = Homeri ilias, 1524, p. 89 · flagged as a term by the translator
725 BCEHomer, the dream of Agamemnon and Penelope's gates of horn and ivorysame word and a translator’s rendering11 pages · 40 editions
- Adagia — proverbsarents ; strange, these hoopoes, which Orus the hieroglyphic writer also mentions in that sense. On this matter, see theHomeri quae extant omnia (Sponde, with Hymns), 1606, p. 116 · flagged as a term by the translator
- gnōmai — maximscontinues from previous page # PLUTARCH Homer brought forth manyOmerou ilias. = Homeri ilias, 1524, p. 89 · flagged as a term by the translator
700 BCEHesiod, Works and Dayssame word and a translator’s rendering4 pages · 18 editions
- gnōmai — maximsκ’ ἐθέλοι Foolish is he who would wish ] Aristarchus pierced that verse and the following one with his obelisks, becauseWorks and Days and Theogony, 1667, p. 238 · flagged as a term by the translator
540 BCETheognis, Elegies (Theognidea)a translator’s rendering2 pages · 2 editions
- gnōmai — maximsngs would perfectly describe the educational poems of Theognis. In the *Attic Scolia* Athenian banquet songs , there areThe Elegies of Theognis, 1910, p. 48 · flagged as a term by the translator
430 BCEHerodotus, the dreams of Croesus, Xerxes and Astyagesa translator’s rendering5 pages · 27 editions
- gnomai — moral aphorismsreat reverence toward his own deity and his sacred rites, which I also touched upon a little earlier. For many maxims orHerodotus: Herodoti Halicarnassei Historiae Libri IX. Et De Vita Homeri libellus, Unknown, p. 28 · flagged as a term by the translator
370 BCEIsocrates, Ad Demonicum / Ad Nicoclema translator’s rendering2 pages · 14 editions
- gnomaian on the precepts of those poets. Furthermore, if one were to select from the most eminent poets the so-called "maxims"Orations and Letters, 1593, p. 59 · original word kept by the translator
340 BCEAristotle, On Sleep, On Dreams, On Divination in Sleep (Parva naturalia)same word and a translator’s rendering4 pages · 98 editions
- gnomaie at the same time; for a logical proof has neither character original: "ethos" nor moral purpose. One should use maximsComplete Works of Aristotle (Aristotelis Opera Omnia), 1837, p. 189 · original word kept by the translator
300 BCEMenander, Sententiae / Monostichoisame word and a translator’s rendering81 pages · 6 editions
- gnōmai — thoughts/judgmentscanthus leaves and floral motifs. # A TREATISE BY HENRI ## STEPHANUS ->ON MAKING A SELECTION of maxims, which are calledMaxims of the Greek Comic Poets, 1569, p. 14 · flagged as a term by the translator

Romanfrom 64 CE · 3 works

64 CESeneca, Epistulae morales and De tranquillitate animisame word and a translator’s rendering32 pages · 26 editions
- paroimia — proverb5 | | Who is an orator 525.50 | Parmenides 208.25 | Phidias 198.17.90.12 | | The globe divided into three parts 389.35 |Lucius Annaeus Seneca — Opera quae extant omnia (1557), 1557, p. 789 · flagged as a term by the translator
- παροιμίαthout me? Shall I blush to go to a philosopher? One must learn as long as one is ignorant, and if we believe the proverbComplete Works, 1515, p. 272 · original word kept by the translator
160 CEApuleius, De deo Socratis and De Platone et eius dogmate (daimones; the soul)same word and a translator’s rendering12 pages · 15 editions
- gnomai — maxims/proverbsκτῆμ’ ἐστὶν ἀνθρώποις ἀγρός." Boldly said; for what prevents me from bringing forward similar ones? Especially when suchComplete Works of Apuleius, Vol. IV, 1825, p. 296 · flagged as a term by the translator
170 CEApuleius, Metamorphoses XI (the dream of Isis)same word and a translator’s rendering15 pages · 28 editions
- gnomai — maxims/proverbsκτῆμ’ ἐστὶν ἀνθρώποις ἀγρός." Boldly said; for what prevents me from bringing forward similar ones? Especially when suchComplete Works of Apuleius, Vol. IV, 1825, p. 296 · flagged as a term by the translator

Hellenistic & Late Antiquefrom 100 CE · 11 works

100 CEPlutarch, Moraliasame word and a translator’s rendering10 pages · 27 editions
- paroimia — drunken behavior/verbal abusen a speech is both witty and useful, circulating in the symposium. For by getting drunk, the philosophers say they enjoyMoralia (Small Works), 1509, p. 464 · flagged as a term by the translator
170 CEMaximus of Tyre, Orationssame word and a translator’s rendering4 pages · 5 editions
- gnōmai — maximshose being said and those being done. For the probable things, and the examples, and the tekmēria signs/proofs , and theMaximus of Tyre, 41 Philosophical Orations, 1525, p. 624 · flagged as a term by the translator
180 CEMaximus of Tyre, Dissertations (Or. 11: how to see Plato’s God)same word and a translator’s rendering4 pages · 5 editions
- gnōmai — maximshose being said and those being done. For the probable things, and the examples, and the tekmēria signs/proofs , and theMaximus of Tyre, 41 Philosophical Orations, 1525, p. 624 · flagged as a term by the translator
180 CEMaximus of Tyre, Dissertations (on Socrates' daimonion; whether prayer and prophecy reach the soul)same word and a translator’s rendering4 pages · 4 editions
- gnōmai — maximshose being said and those being done. For the probable things, and the examples, and the tekmēria signs/proofs , and theMaximus of Tyre, 41 Philosophical Orations, 1525, p. 624 · flagged as a term by the translator
300 CEIamblichus, De anima (fragments in Stobaeus)same word and a translator’s rendering16 pages · 5 editions
- gnomai"On what sort of persons [parents and children] ought to be." The text provides a collection of poetic maxims (known asThe Anthology of John Stobaeus, 1856, p. 170 · flagged as a term by the translator
405 CESynesius of Cyrene, On Dreams (De insomniis)a translator’s rendering5 pages · 18 editions
- παροιμία — paroimiafor the sake of contemplation, he says it might reckon those benefits, it is necessary to cling to them. The **proverb**On Dreams (De Insomniis), 14th century, p. 459 · original word kept by the translator
405 CESynesius of Cyrene, Hymns and De insomniisa translator’s rendering3 pages · 8 editions
- παροιμία — paroimiafor the sake of contemplation, he says it might reckon those benefits, it is necessary to cling to them. The **proverb**On Dreams (De Insomniis), 14th century, p. 459 · original word kept by the translator
405 CESynesius of Cyrene, De insomniisa translator’s rendering2 pages · 6 editions
- παροιμία — paroimiafor the sake of contemplation, he says it might reckon those benefits, it is necessary to cling to them. The **proverb**On Dreams (De Insomniis), 14th century, p. 459 · original word kept by the translator
430 CEHierocles of Alexandria, Commentary on the Golden Versesa translator’s rendering2 pages · 4 editions
- Adagia — Proverbse Education of Children , translated it thus: "Those which have blackening tails ought not to be tasted." Erasmus in hisOn Providence and Fate, 1655, p. 184 · flagged as a term by the translator
430 CEPythagorean Golden Verses with Hierocles' commentary (soul, its vehicle, purification)a translator’s rendering2 pages · 7 editions
- Adagia — Proverbse Education of Children , translated it thus: "Those which have blackening tails ought not to be tasted." Erasmus in hisOn Providence and Fate, 1655, p. 184 · flagged as a term by the translator
450 CEStobaeus, Anthology (Anthologium/Eclogae)same word and a translator’s rendering16 pages · 8 editions
- gnomai"On what sort of persons [parents and children] ought to be." The text provides a collection of poetic maxims (known asThe Anthology of John Stobaeus, 1856, p. 170 · flagged as a term by the translator

Early Christian & Monasticfrom 225 CE · 5 works

225 CEOrigen, De principiisa translator’s rendering33 pages · 17 editions
- Gnomai — Sentences/Maximshis for those who are able to stir up a warmer faith, though not a rational one, toward such matters. Sextus says in hisOpera Omnia I (Delarue-Lommatzsch), 1834, p. 357 · flagged as a term by the translator
233 CEOrigen, On Prayer (Peri euchēs)a translator’s rendering18 pages · 5 editions
- Gnomai — Sentences/Maximshis for those who are able to stir up a warmer faith, though not a rational one, toward such matters. Sextus says in hisOpera Omnia I (Delarue-Lommatzsch), 1834, p. 357 · flagged as a term by the translator
379 CEGregory of Nyssa, De hominis opificioa translator’s rendering9 pages · 9 editions
- Proverbium — Proverbsor this reason, he joined the fountain to the garden in the praises, saying: "A garden enclosed, a fountain sealed." TheGreek Patrology, Vol. 44: Gregory of Nyssa, 1858, p. 499 · flagged as a term by the translator
390 CEGregory of Nyssa, Life of Mosesa translator’s rendering8 pages · 3 editions
- Proverbium — Proverbsor this reason, he joined the fountain to the garden in the praises, saying: "A garden enclosed, a fountain sealed." TheGreek Patrology, Vol. 44: Gregory of Nyssa, 1858, p. 499 · flagged as a term by the translator
620 CEIsidore of Seville, Etymologiae XI / Sententiae / Differentiaea translator’s rendering5 pages · 11 editions
- Paroemia — proverbThe Etymologies, Vol. I, 1911, p. 88 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Paroemiatus. There are many species of this trope, of which seven stand out: Yronia irony , Antifrasis , Enigma , Carientismos ,Etymologies, 1472, p. 66 · flagged as a term by the translator

Hermetic & Gnosticfrom 250 CE · 1 work

250 CEKore Kosmousame word and a translator’s rendering16 pages · 8 editions
- gnomai"On what sort of persons [parents and children] ought to be." The text provides a collection of poetic maxims (known asThe Anthology of John Stobaeus, 1856, p. 170 · flagged as a term by the translator

Syriac & Armenianfrom 360 CE · 1 work

360 CEEphrem the Syrian, on dreams (hymns and homilies)a translator’s rendering10 pages · 20 editions
- gnomai — maximsattributed to him in the most ancient Greek MS. of the Vatican, in which codex, under number 880, are contained variousSancti Ephraem Syri, patris et scriptoris ecclesiae antiquissimi et dignissimi, opera omnia quotquot in insignioribus It, 1616, p. 572 · flagged as a term by the translator

Byzantine & Orthodoxfrom 379 CE · 6 works

379 CEGregory of Nyssa, On the Making of Man 13 (on sleep and dreams)a translator’s rendering7 pages · 8 editions
- Proverbium — Proverbsor this reason, he joined the fountain to the garden in the praises, saying: "A garden enclosed, a fountain sealed." TheGreek Patrology, Vol. 44: Gregory of Nyssa, 1858, p. 499 · flagged as a term by the translator
630 CEMaximus the Confessor, Centuries on Charity and other Kephalaiaa translator’s rendering3 pages · 11 editions
- gnōmai — judgments/opinionsr with the Holy Spirit be honor, power, and adoration now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen. # SAINT MAXI- ### MUSTheological and Polemical Opuscula, 1605, p. 141 · flagged as a term by the translator
630 CEMaximus the Confessor, Ambigua / Chapters on Love / Mystagogiaa translator’s rendering2 pages · 10 editions
- gnōmai — judgments/opinionsr with the Holy Spirit be honor, power, and adoration now and always, and for ever and ever. Amen. # SAINT MAXI- ### MUSTheological and Polemical Opuscula, 1605, p. 141 · flagged as a term by the translator
1330Nicephorus Gregoras, commentary on Synesius On Dreamssame word and a translator’s rendering7 pages · 2 editions
- Gnomai — judgments/opinionsst will 289, 1. At what age he came to the Court: offices held: health: reason for retirement 289, 13. See also 275, 14.Byzantine History of Nicephorus Gregoras, Vol. 1, 1829, p. 867 · flagged as a term by the translator
1330Nikephoros Gregoras, Commentary on Synesius De insomniisa translator’s rendering2 pages · 3 editions
- παροιμία — paroimiafor the sake of contemplation, he says it might reckon those benefits, it is necessary to cling to them. The **proverb**On Dreams (De Insomniis), 14th century, p. 459 · original word kept by the translator
1450Michael Apostolius, Proverbs (Paroimiai)same word and a translator’s rendering186 pages · 1 edition
- Proverb — paroemiahat work stated what it was in reality), we must describe the Proverb itself, so that we may have it at the beginning. AGreek Proverbs, 1619, p. 29 · flagged as a term by the translator

Arabicfrom 650 CE · 2 works

650 CELuqman fables (Arabic)same word1 page · 1 edition
- Proverb — a traditional sayingtruth, I cannot get used to it. At this speech and this sincerity of the falcon, the vulture recognized the truth of theContes et fables indiennes de Bidpaï et de Lokman, 1724, p. -96 · flagged as a term by the translator
750 CEKalila wa-Dimnasame word and a translator’s rendering14 pages · 13 editions
- Proverb — a traditional sayingtruth, I cannot get used to it. At this speech and this sincerity of the falcon, the vulture recognized the truth of theContes et fables indiennes de Bidpaï et de Lokman, 1724, p. -96 · flagged as a term by the translator

Norse & Celticfrom 900 CE · 4 works

900 CEHávamál (transmitted within the Poetic Edda)same word and a translator’s rendering10 pages · 5 editions
- gnomai — sentencesfore Aristophanes the Grammarian taught that he was not, as Fabius reported), the Enchiridion Handbook of Epictetus, theEdda Islandorum (Editio Princeps), 1665, p. 80 · flagged as a term by the translator
1220Snorri Sturluson, Prose Eddaa translator’s rendering9 pages · 11 editions
- gnomai — sentencesfore Aristophanes the Grammarian taught that he was not, as Fabius reported), the Enchiridion Handbook of Epictetus, theEdda Islandorum (Editio Princeps), 1665, p. 80 · flagged as a term by the translator
1250Poetic & Prose Edda (incl. Hávamál)same word and a translator’s rendering10 pages · 20 editions
- gnomai — sentencesfore Aristophanes the Grammarian taught that he was not, as Fabius reported), the Enchiridion Handbook of Epictetus, theEdda Islandorum (Editio Princeps), 1665, p. 80 · flagged as a term by the translator
1250Hávamál and the dream episodes of the sagas (Gísla saga, Laxdæla)same word and a translator’s rendering10 pages · 28 editions
- gnomai — sentencesfore Aristophanes the Grammarian taught that he was not, as Fabius reported), the Enchiridion Handbook of Epictetus, theEdda Islandorum (Editio Princeps), 1665, p. 80 · flagged as a term by the translator

Medieval Latinfrom 1242 · 5 works

1242William Peraldus, Summa de virtutibus et vitiisa translator’s rendering52 pages · 3 editions
- Proverbiahe magnitude of this sin can be shown in three ways. First, from the fact that this sin is called an abomination to God.Summa of Virtues and Vices, 1500, p. 548 · flagged as a term by the translator
1272Thomas Aquinas on dreams (Summa II-II q.95 a.6; commentary on De somniis)a translator’s rendering13 pages · 36 editions
- proverbium — proverb. And indeed, some think it harms more; however, by itself, the flatterer harms more than the litigious one. And it is aSummary of Theology: Second Part of the Second Part, 1463, p. 288 · flagged as a term by the translator
1370Birgitta of Sweden, Revelationssame word1 page · 2 editions · visible
- Proverb — the Book of Proverbsthe Secunda Secundae the second part of the second part of the Summa Theologica in the title on prophecy. It is said inHimmlische Offenbarungen, 1664, p. -350 · flagged as a term by the translator
1370Birgitta of Sweden, Revelationessame word1 page · 2 editions · visible
- Proverb — the Book of Proverbsthe Secunda Secundae the second part of the second part of the Summa Theologica in the title on prophecy. It is said inHimmlische Offenbarungen, 1664, p. -350 · flagged as a term by the translator
1468Rodrigo Sánchez de Arévalo, Speculum vitae humanaea translator’s rendering2 pages · 11 editions
- Proverbia — Proverbsion of any art without the practice and knowledge of how to dispute. And the wise King Solomon reminds us in the book ofMirror of Human Life, 1479, p. 204 · flagged as a term by the translator

Kabbalistic & Hasidicfrom 1290 · 1 work

1290Zohar (Book of Splendor)a translator’s rendering23 pages · 14 editions
- PROVERBIA. (139) | 9. | 74 | | CXLIV. (144) | 14. | 115 | | CXLV. (145) | 9. | 101 | | | 10. | 468 | | | 15. | 476 | ## PROVERBS.Kabbalah Unveiled, 1677-1684, p. 49 · original word kept by the translator

Renaissance & Early Modern Europefrom 1500 · 5 works

1500Erasmus, Adagiasame word and a translator’s rendering4143 pages · 13 editions
1509Erasmus, Moriae encomium (Praise of Folly)a translator’s rendering15 pages · 5 editions
- Adagia — a collection of Greek and Latin proverbsBut I will stop quoting proverbs, lest it appear as if I had plundered theLob der Narrheit, 1780, p. 349 · flagged as a term by the translator
1591Bruno, De imaginum, signorum et idearum compositione (with De umbris idearum)a translator’s rendering1 page · 6 editions
- Paroemiae center; there too are the Certain, the Established, the | Firm, the Sound, the Adage, the Proverb, the **141** ParableLatin Works of Giordano Bruno, 1889, p. 256 · original word kept by the translator
1650Isaac Ambrose, Media / Looking unto Jesusa translator’s rendering5 pages · 3 editions
- Proverbia — Proverbsuction, which look: * Either at a singular subject, as Job. * Or a general subject, as: * David's Psalms. * Solomon's: *Prima, media, et ultima. Ofte de eerste, middelste en laetste dingen, 1660, p. -288 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Proverbia — Proverbs, which look at: * A singular subject, such as Job. * Or at a general subject, such as: * David's Psalms. * Solomon's: *Prima, media, et ultima. Ofte de eerste, middelste en laetste dingen, 1688, p. -285 · flagged as a term by the translator
1697Jane Lead, A Fountain of Gardens (spiritual diary) & tractssame word1 page · 19 editions
- Proverbeternity, but regarding her birth original: "Nativity" , she was brought forth in time. Now I will not speak in riddlesThe Wonders of Gods Creation Manifested, 1695, p. 39 · original word kept by the translator

At home in Hebrew & Jewish

No work labelled Hebrew & Jewish on the four maps attests it behind the gate; the concept’s own tradition may be under-mapped, or its home works are held only in vocabulary lists.

Evidence gate. A work is listed only where a translator marked the word as a term with a gloss, or kept the original word beside the English, on at least one page of a held edition. Vocabulary lists and keywords alone do not count: in a Greek vocabulary list ἡσυχία is the ordinary word for quiet. Up to 3 pages are shown per work, preferring those with a gloss. The vocabulary was built 2026-09-11; the graph on 2026-09-13.