Words that are put forth

Ratna Raman

Proverbs are popular sayings and form part of the collective repertoire of languages.  Proverbs are   significant statements, drawn from everyday lives and reflect a certain perspective. Proverbs are part of speaking cultures and are handed down from generation to generation. Proverbs are drawn from the details of life and  achieve a deeper resonance by association  with larger and different contexts. 'Pro' (put forth) 'verbum'(word)  in Latin indicates words that  are put forth (spoken words or sayings).
Take for instance the expression: “Birds of a feather, flock together.”    Such practice among birds may have been first observed by an avid birdwatcher. This will also be readily corroborated by the ornithologist (bird specialist). Yet, this sentence is not just birding detail, informing us of the behaviour of different bird species. It is a proverb and has greater relevance outside of birdlife.
‘Birds of a feather’ metaphorically draws attention to points of similarity among other species,  human beings, in particular. ‘Birds of a feather’   highlights   groups, persons, or species  sharing  similar interests, outside of the kinship of  family, race, class and gender (which are often unifying features) and could indicate a  connection shared through  similarity in years (infancy, adolescence)  experts (teachers, doctors, engineers, ) shared subjects, (humanities, sciences)  training(musician, academic,  dancer, painter) and so on.
 Proverbs tend to be pithy and memorable.  They signify general practice and can operate as prevalent opinion or folk wisdom. However, they rarely function in the manner of commandments. Very often, one proverb can be the antonym of another.  Sometimes, even factual evidence can contradict the opinion enshrined in proverbs. Among birds, for instance, there exist solitary pairs, and we all know that the cuckoo has no problems about laying its eggs in the nests of other birds. Also, shared interests may make for friendships, but the phrase “opposites attract” suggests that dissimilarity can also be  a significant  starting point.
“One swallow does not a summer make” suggests that   the solitary swallow's presence cannot be a marker of the entire flock which returns in good weather. The solitary swallow could have just stayed behind in the winter.  Similarly, one positive indicator cannot ensure the continuity of good fortune or happiness.   A season or an experience comes into being due to  the interplay of multiple factors. 
Many proverbs are built around animal behaviour.  “Barking dogs do not bite” is a truism borrowed from the behaviour of dogs and  used to describe unpleasant people in authority. The expression: “his bark is worse than his bite” always provides solace to an employee whose boss has just finished yelling at him.
The expression “let sleeping dogs lie” provided sound advice to wayfarers or strangers crossing human habitation.  Dogs, when disturbed, become hostile and attack strangers.   Similarly, a public revelation of classified information or asking uncomfortable questions is akin to the danger of waking up unpredictable dogs in unknown territory.  Whistle-blowers and idealistic people  never consent to let sleeping dogs lie.
“A leopard can never change his spots” draws attention to nature's programme for the leopard and to the recalcitrance at the core of human behaviour.  My favourite proverb is the one which tells us that “you can take a horse to the water but you cannot get the horse to drink it.” This powerful statement reaffirms self-will in both horses and humans. Little children, never mind horses, cannot be coerced into drinking something against their will. The proverb thereby highlights the importance of freedom and choice for all sentient beings.