Proverbs that contradict
 

I have used this for conversation classes. Students will talk about proverbs in their own language and it's a good discussion starter.

Re: Proverbs that contradict
 

I was so used to using proverbs in Jamaica. But since coming here to America I became disappointed that every day folks don't seems to care about incorporating proverbs in their conversations.

Re: Proverbs that contradict
 

Oh, by the way, "Absense makes the heart go fonder"........for somebody else.

Re: Proverbs that contradict
 

great list, esllou! thanks!
what do you mean?

Re: Proverbs that contradict
 

What a great exercise. I am starting to realize that proverbs are more useful and interesting that I though. Hmmm... interesting.

Re: Proverbs that contradict
 

Solid introduction to proverbs, and their flexibility. The beauty of proverbs is that they often make absolute claims, but are only appropriate to particular conditions.

I often use proverbs to introduce the idea of "hedging" language in writing classes. First, I ask students to write down five proverbs, sayings, or advertising slogans. (People know many more proverbs than they recognize, but seldom identify them as proverbs). Then we go back and make them more accurate by adding conditions, noting sources, and frequency adverbs. "The early bird gets the worm" becomes "According to a popular folktale, the early bird gets the worm" or "Sometimes the early bird gets the worm."

Studying proverbs, especially ones that contradict, can be a very powerful teaching tool.