what is proverbs in literature

A proverb is a short saying or piece of folk wisdom that emerges from the general culture rather than being written by a single, individual author. Proverbs often use metaphors and are easy to remember, which gives them remarkable staying power. They can be found in every spoken language and are part of every literate society, with ancient Egyptian collections dating from as early as 2500 BC. Proverbs are often used in literature to teach and educate the audience, as they contain expert advice and embody a commonplace truth based on practical experience or common sense. They can be found in poetry, plays, and novels, and some contemporary authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis are known for creating proverbs in their respective works. Some authors twist and bend proverbs, and create anti-proverbs to add literary effect to their works.