Speaking better English - Adage


An Adage is a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth. Adages provide us with simple guidelines with which to live. In literature, adages are often used as sign of wisdom and of a work’s universal appeal and truth.

The early bird catches the worm. If you do something early or before other people, you will be successful.

An adage has been passed down over time and because of this it serves as a well of knowledge of collected and accepted wisdoms.

Here are a few well known ones.

Some are very old – Eat drink and be merry – is probably in the region of 3000 to 4000 years old. Others are from more recent history

"A penny saved is a penny earned."

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

"Eat to live, and not live to eat."

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

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