The culture of our people includes many elements that differ from each other in their structure and construction. These include songs, tales, puzzles, as well as proverbs and sayings. The latter are short and capacious oral sayings, which should be understood not literally, but in a figurative sense.
Types of Proverbs
Over the centuries, many proverbs and sayings have been formed related to different topics. Some refer to natural conditions, others describe the nature of the situation, others relate to animals and people's lives. There are proverbs and sayings regarding the definition of weather on different days. A proverb with a number is one of the most common expressions and can refer to a wide variety of categories. At the same time, it can be distinguished into an independent category.
The use of numbers in sayings and proverbs reflects the development of digital counting in humans since ancient times. Often proverbs with numbers are of particular importance, since each figure denoted a certain sacred concept, for example, the unity of God, two opposite principles, the “magic” seven, etc. In the proverbs there can be very different numbers, but most often figures from 0 to 9, for example, proverbs and sayings with the number 7.
Proverbs with Unit
Quotes are quite common, containing the number 1. Their meaning can be very different and characterize conflict situations. A typical example is this saying: "one is not a warrior in the field." It shows that no matter how skillful and strong a person is, he can only cope with a problem with the help of someone else. The following proverb with the number 1: "one foot is here, the other is there." This expression figuratively shows that a person moves very quickly, did not have time to leave this place - as he had already returned. Most often this proverb is advised if it is necessary that the time of absence be minimal.
Another expression containing a unit is “one beaten is better than two unb beaten”. It means gaining experience that will help in the future to cope with difficulties, while those who have not gained experience - “unbroken” can not cope with the situation. And such a saying as “one field of a berry” indicates the similarity of two people or that a person is well suited for something.
Proverb with number 2
Two comes across in short sayings no less often than a unit. One of the well-known expressions can be called "chasing two birds with one stone - you will not catch a single one." The meaning is interpreted in such a way that one should not deal with two things at once - each of them may turn out badly in the end. Therefore, it is worth doing one thing, and then moving on to another.
“Two boots of steam” - this may mean that two people are well suited to each other, they have a similar opinion and do the same. “Like two drops of water” - they talk about something that has a strong resemblance. It can be either an inanimate object, or a living creature or person.
3 proverb
The number 3 is not inferior in popularity to use in short sayings. One of them is "getting lost in three pines." This means getting confused in a simple situation, not finding a way out where everything is really simple. “They’ll wait for the promised three years” - the number 3 shows that it will take a very long time to wait for something, or it won’t work at all.
“With three boxes” - means a lot, most often they say that about a lie. The number 3 most often means a large amount of something, since when the account first appeared, there was only one and two, the three appeared much later.
Sayings with the number 4, 5.6
The most famous sayings with the four can be called: "sit in 4 walls." This means being isolated from other people, not seeing anyone, being constantly alone. “On all four sides” means anywhere, when someone is being persecuted, or, on the contrary, released and does not want to know where the person will go.
Sayings with the number 5, the most famous of which is "like the back of your hand." It means knowing something well, thoroughly. “Like a dog’s fifth leg” is an unnecessary element that can be dispensed with. These number expressions are not as common as proverbs with the number 7.
The number 6 is found in various popular sayings much less often, and they are less known. An example is "lost bast shoes, searched for yards, there were 5, there were 6." The value of this proverb may indicate inaccuracies in the conduct of any case.
Popularity figures 7
Proverbs and sayings with the number 7 occupy a special place among others. The number 7 has always been given important sacred significance, even in the Bible texts you can find numerous references to this figure. Not surprisingly, proverbs with the number seven are so numerous.
A vivid example is “measure seven times - cut once”. This is perhaps one of the best proverbs with numbers. Its meaning implies careful consideration before making a final decision. “Seven versts of kissel slurp” is very far, a great distance that can be overcome in vain. “One plows, and seven wave their hands” - in the team only one person (or a minority) works efficiently, the rest do not bring any benefit.
“Seven do not wait for one” - it is understood that one person should be guided by the others, not delay them and not force them to change plans because of him. Proverbs with the number 7, of which there are many, reflect the attitude of a person to this number, which was previously considered sacred, mysterious and mysterious.
Proverbs with other numbers
As for the other numbers in the sayings, there are fewer of them than with the unit, two or seven. So, the most famous expression containing the number 8 can be called "spring and autumn - on the weather eight." It implies the variability of weather during these transitional seasons, when warm and sunny can dramatically change to cold and cloudy.
The number 9 is even less common. An example is "nine people - it’s the same as a dozen." The same expression can serve as an example of a proverb containing several numbers.
Other proverbs and sayings with numbers - these are with references to the numbers 10, 25, 40, 100, 1000. It is these meanings that can be found in sayings. “One clever ten crazy leads”, “forty years - the woman's age”, “hands will overcome one, and knowledge - a thousand” and others like them. In addition, there are proverbs containing several numbers at once, as well as proverbs with the numbers 0, 33, 12. Other numbers in proverbs and sayings are very rare.
