Proverb Wit and Wisdom

With more than 10,000 indexed entries, this unique and exhaustive volume offers not only a comprehensive listing of both common and obscure proverbs, but a fascinating compilation of the humorous and insightful commentary that these timeless utterances have inspired over the centuries.

Berman (emeritus, psychology, Univ. of Illinois) here offers a new take on the quotation book that is more a celebration of the proverb and its many relations than an effort to augment Bartlett's. Grouped under keywords ranging from "abilities" to "youth" are more than 10,000 entries for sayings taken from well-known authors (e.g., A.A. Milne), biblical passages, or obscure origins. The keyword arrangement makes the book awkward to browse thematically and therefore less useful for the patron simply wanting a quote on a subject. However, those fascinated by language and all things proverbial will find two noteworthy inclusions: Berman often supplies the extensions to proverbs (e.g., "Paddle your own canoe" and "then kindly return my paddle") and also provides a section on contrasting proverbs (e.g., "Slow but sure" and "Strike while the iron is hot"). While not a necessary purchase, this work would be useful in libraries with large collections of quotation books.?Neal Wyatt, Chesterfield Cty. P.L., Richmond, Va.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.