Proverb Lore Many sayings, wise or otherwise, on many subjects, gleaned from many sources — A Reader’s Guide

Definitions and Contradictions

Hulme begins by acknowledging the difficulty of defining a proverb, citing various writers and emphasizing brevity, hyperbole, and figurativeness as essential traits. He notes that proverbs often present 'one-sided views of truth' and may contradict each other—a point he illustrates without providing specific contradictory pairs in the excerpts. The chapter on definitions draws on classical and biblical sources, including the Proverbs of Solomon and Ecclesiasticus, but the excerpts do not detail how these sources are used. Hulme’s approach is descriptive rather than analytical: he collects definitions rather than interrogating them.

Trades and Their Sayings

The excerpts devote considerable space to proverbs from specific occupations. Carpenters contribute 'To go against the grain' and 'A bad workman finds fault with his tools.' Barbers are linked to the Roman adage 'Omnibus notum tonsoribus' and the English 'Every barber knows that.' Tailors are the subject of 'It takes nine tailors to make a man,' which Hulme traces to a 1630 poem, noting the poet’s disagreement. Cobblers yield 'The cobbler's wife is the worst shod,' with a medieval verse quoted. These examples show Hulme’s method: he anchors each proverb in a trade, cites a literary source, and occasionally offers mild commentary, as when he dismisses the poet’s counter-claim about tailors.

Moral and Religious Proverbs

A substantial portion of the excerpts presents proverbs with moral or religious weight. Hulme praises 'Make a crutch of your cross' and warns that 'He who thinks to deceive God has already deceived himself.' He links the ancient idea of Nemesis to the proverb 'Fate moves with leaden feet, but strikes with iron hands' and its later variant 'The mill of God grinds slowly but it grinds exceeding fine.' The hypocrite is addressed with 'Religion is the best armour in the world, but the worst cloak.' These examples demonstrate Hulme’s tendency to treat proverbs as timeless wisdom, though he does not critically examine their cultural or historical contexts.

Sources and Collections

Hulme surveys historical collections of proverbs, from the 'Adagia' of Erasmus and Heywood’s collection to Herbert’s 'Jacula Prudentum' and Franklin’s 'Poor Richard.' He notes the difficulties of classification by country, leading word, or subject. The excerpts do not provide detailed analysis of any single collection; instead, Hulme lists them in a catalog-like manner. His own work appears to be a compendium rather than a scholarly critique, drawing on these predecessors without evaluating their methods.

Readers should approach this book as a Victorian anthology of proverbs, not a systematic study. Hulme’s strength lies in the breadth of his examples, but his commentary is often light. The excerpts suggest that the work is best used as a reference for tracing proverbs to literary sources, with the understanding that Hulme’s interpretations reflect his own moral outlook. For critical analysis, supplementary sources are advisable.

Reading through Proverb Lore, I kept noticing how each saying is a tiny, worn key to a whole way of thinking. It reminded me of my old habit of flipping through Putnam's Word Book A Practical Aid in Expressing Ideas Through the Use of an Exact and Varied Vocabulary — A Closer Reading, where every word waits patiently for the right moment. Both feel like quiet rooms full of familiar, good company.