英语谚语既简洁凝练又句式多变。这样的例子不胜枚举,比如Accidents will happen(天有不测风云);Bare words, no bargain(空话不能成交);Be not hasty to outbid another(不要锋芒毕露)。英语谚语语音和谐优美,这具体体现在押韵、重复和对仗等形式上,如A faithful friend is hard to find(知音难觅),Call a spade a spade(有啥说啥,直言不讳)和Great boast, small roast(牛皮吹,收效微)。英语谚语描写惟妙惟肖,常可分为直描、比喻和拟人等,例子俯拾皆是,比如Great weights hang on small wires(千钧一发);Business is the salt of life(事业如盐,是人生所必需);Complacency is the enemy of study (自满是学习的敌人)。
英语谚语的人生哲理从涉及动植物、饮食、身体、颜色、服装、数字、时间、天气和四季、婚姻和家庭、职业和阶层各个方面体现出来,比如A bird never flies on one wing (孤掌难鸣),As long as the green hill lasts, there’ll always be wood to burn(留得青山在,不怕没柴烧);A good appetite is a good sauce(胃口好,吃什么都香);A deformed body may have a beautiful soul(残缺的身体也可以有美好的心灵),A green wound is soon healed(新伤好得快);Clothes do not make the man(人品好歹,不在穿戴);All good things go by three(富不过三代);A moment’s error can bring a lifelong regret(一失足成千古恨),A spell of autumn rain, and a spell of cold(一场雨一场寒);A house divided against itself cannot stand(家和万事兴),A good wife and health is a man’s best wealth(良妻和健康是男人最好的财富);A great teacher produces a brilliant student(名师出高徒)。道出人生哲理的英语谚语,不胜枚举,语意丰富,不管是严厉警示,还是温和的提醒,都给人以人生启迪。