Proverbs Paraphrase
Purpose: Choose three proverbs, definitions or quotes. Paraphrase, respond and make
connections to these proverbs.
Ben Franklin “Poor Richard’s Almanac” (1736)
He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.
The good Paymaster is Lord of another man’s Purse.
Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days.
Diligence is the Mother of Good-Luck.
He that lives upon Hope, dies farting.
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Never praise your Cyder, Horse, or Bedfellow.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
Tis easy to see, hard to foresee.
In a discreet man’s mouth, a publick thing is private.
Let thy maidservant be faithful, strong, and homely.
Keep flax from fire, youth from gaming.
She that paints her Face, thinks of her Tail.
He that takes a wife, takes care.
God helps them that help themselves.
John Donne (From Meditation 17. Anglican sermon in 1623)
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a
clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as
if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am
involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.
William Blake, “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell” (1794)
No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings.
A dead body revenges not injuries.
The most sublime act is to set another before you.
If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.
Folly is the cloke of knavery.
Shame is Prides cloke.
Prisons are built with stones of Law, Brothels with bricks of Religion.
The pride of the peacock is the glory of God.
The lust of the goat is the bounty of God.
The wrath of the lion is the wisdom of God.
The nakedness of woman is the work of God.
Excess of sorrow laughs. Excess of joy weeps.
Ambrose Bierce: “The Devil’s Dictionary” (1910)
CABBAGE, n.
A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head. .
CALAMITY, n.
A more than commonly plain and unmistakable reminder that the affairs of this life are
not of our own ordering. Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves, and good
fortune to others.
CALLOUS, adj.
Gifted with great fortitude to bear the evils afflicting another. .
CANNON, n.
An instrument employed in the rectification of national boundaries.
CAPITAL, n.
The seat of misgovernment.
CAT, n.
A soft, indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked when things go wrong in the
domestic circle.
Proverbs Paraphrase Journal
Preview: Explain what you already knew about the author, purpose, original audience,
background and context.
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Annotation: Research and define any unfamiliar or relevant vocabulary, background or
context.
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Paraphrase: Translate the proverbs in your own words into standard modern English.
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Respond: Explain why you agree or disagree with the attitudes, arguments and
assumptions behind these proverbs. Provide personal experiences or examples that are
relevant to these proverbs.
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Connections: Describe and compare the style and tone of the passage or proverbs.
How do they use language, vocabulary, metaphors and comparisons to inform, instruct or
persuade their audience? Are the sentences and vocabulary simple or complex?
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Average Score:
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GRADE:
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