History Main / ProverbialWisdom

SubTrope of CrypticConversation and HurricaneOfAphorisms, and often overlaps with DelightingInRiddles. Can be deconstructed or parodied, when the said character simply pretends to be wise, and speaks in [[IceCreamKoan Ice Cream Koans]].

This is often seen as a DiscreditedTrope in Western culture: the excessive use of proverbs is considered trite and cliche, typical for elderly people and those who want to seem more thoughtful than they are. Conversely, it is very frequently employed in Eastern culture. In it, proverbs are often cryptic in their meaning and serve as "thought exercises" to make a person think "outside of the box" (Zen {{koan}}s being the best known example).

* Parodied with Sidney Wang, a ludicrous Franchise/CharlieChan expy, in ''Film/MurderByDeath''.

* ''Franchise/CharlieChan'' is usually ridiculed for speaking this way, and his brilliance as a detective often comes as a surprise.

* Amilyn Holdo from ''Literature/LeiaPrincessOfAlderaan'' is a variation: she is very spiritual, into astrology and meditation (in accordance with her home planet's culture), and she tends to speak in riddles and [[TalksLikeASimile peculiar metaphors]].

The tendency of sages, mentors (especially [[EccentricMentor eccentric mentors]]), and characters who are smart, wise or level-headed to speak in cryptic proverbs, old sayings and flowery metaphors.

The tendency of sages, mentors (especially [[EccentricMentor eccentric mentors]]), and characters who are smart, wise or level-headed to speak in proverbs, old sayings and flowery metaphors.

* {{Downplayed}} in ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5330983/1/Convergent_Paths Convergent Paths]]'' (a {{Pokemon}} fanfic) with Terra Caldwell, Belle's mother. She doesn't quote any ''actual'' proverbs or metaphors, but when she meditates, she tends to speak in a very flowery fashion, "like a wise elder of a village". Belle is used to her mother having two modes: "Normal Mom" and "Infinitely Wise Mom".

* In ''FanFic/TheVow'', Ah-Ma [[WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2 the Soothsayer]] is a wise old lady and a {{seer}} who just loves giving advice in vague proverb-like riddles.

* In ''FanFic/TheVow'', Ah-Ma [[WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2 the Soothsayer]] is a wise old lady and a {{Seer}} who just loves giving advice in vague proverb-like riddles.

The tendency of sages, mentors, and characters who are smart, wise or level-headed to speak in proverbs, old sayings and flowery metaphors.

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/monk_5.png]]

->'''Daniel:''' How do I know it's really you?\\
'''Oma:''' How deep is the river if you cannot see the bottom?\\
'''Jim:''' Deeper than the coffee in my cup, I'll tell you that.
-->-- ''Series/StargateSG1'', "Threads"

[[quoteright:300:[[WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/monk22.png]]]]

* Played with in ''VideoGame/TheWitcher2'', a merchant talks to Geralt, and other villagers as well, all in proverbs because of a bet the merchant had with another.

SubTrope of CrypticConversation and HurricaneOfAphorisms. Can be deconstructed or parodied, when the said character simply pretends to be wise, and speaks in [[IceCreamKoan Ice Cream Koans]].

The tendency of sages, mentors, and characters who are smart, wise or generally "above average" to speak in proverbs, old sayings and flowery metaphors.

->'''Daniel:''' How do I know it's really you?
->'''Oma:''' How deep is the river if you cannot see the bottom?
->'''Jim:''' Deeper than the coffee in my cup, I'll tell you that.
-->-- ''Series/StargateSG1'',

* Parodied with Sidney Wang, a ludicrous CharlieChan expy, in ''MurderByDeath''.

-->'''Wu''': ''In unifying your chi with that of your opponent - in aligning the breath of your life and theirs - you will storm the strongest fortress''. There! Is that a good Secret?
-->'''Elizabeth''': What does it mean?
-->'''Wu''': No idea. It's a Secret. Means what you need it to mean. But now we have one, we can refuse to tell anyone about it!

* Parodied with Herman Toothrot in ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2'', when he becomes a "philosophy teacher" and meditates in a tent. He gives Guybrush what seems to be a Zen-style Koan: "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, what color is the tree?"
-->'''Guybrush''': All colours?
-->'''Herman''': Exactly! Now what has this experience taught you?
-->'''Guybrush''': That philosophy isn't worth my time.
-->'''Herman''': I'm very impressed. It takes most people years to reach this point.

-->'''Hadji''': Every great fiction held strongly in human belief is the mistaken image of some great truth.
-->'''Jessie''': What the heck does that mean?
-->'''Hadji''': To be completely honest, I'm not entirely certain. But you must admit, it does sound profound!

* Ms. Frizzle from ''TheMagicSchoolBus'' often quotes proverbs and sayings, beginning with "As I always say..." or "As [relative] always says..."

[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Franchise/CharlieChan'' is usually ridiculed for speaking this way, and his brilliance as a detective often comes as a surprise.
* Deconstructed in ''{{Literature/Baudolino}}'': when the protagonist becomes a stylite, people often visit him for advice, believing him to be a saint and a HermitGuru. Playing up with their expectations, he delivers some [[IceCreamKoan Ice Cream Koans]], and people find them extremely helpful.
* Parodied by Master Wu in ''Literature/TheGoneAwayWorld'':
-->'''Wu''': ''In unifying your chi with that of your opponent - in aligning the breath of your life and theirs - you will storm the strongest fortress''. There! Is that a good Secret?
-->'''Elizabeth''': What does it mean?
-->'''Wu''': No idea. It's a Secret. Means what you need it to mean. But now we have one, we can refuse to tell anyone about it!

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* In ''Series/StargateSG1'', both Oma Desala (a wise ancient being) and the Kheb monk indulge in this.
* Parodied in ''Series/ItAintHalfHotMum''. Native bearer Rangi Ram would often close an episode with "There is an old Hindu proverb, which say...".

[[folder:Video Games]]
* Parodied with Herman Toothrot in ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland2'', when he becomes a "philosophy teacher" and meditates in a tent. He gives Guybrush what seems to be a Zen-style Koan: "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, what color is the tree?"
-->'''Guybrush''': All colours?
-->'''Herman''': Exactly! Now what has this experience taught you?
-->'''Guybrush''': That philosophy isn't worth my time.
-->'''Herman''': I'm very impressed. It takes most people years to reach this point.

[[folder:Films]]
* The Sphinx from ''Film/MysteryMen'', who serves as a mentor to the main characters, always speaks like this.
* Parodied with Sidney Wang, a ludicrous CharlieChan expy, in ''MurderByDeath''.
-->'''Wang:''' Conversation like television on Honeymoon; highly unnecessary.

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* In ''ComicBook/GrooTheWanderer'', the Sage is a perfect example: every single sentence he says in the entire run of the comic is immediately followed by a saying of some kind, most of them made up. Many are truly wise, while some are worthy of Groo himself...

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' module [=OA5=] ''Mad Monkey vs. Dragon Claw''. The martial arts trainer Hu Sen often makes statements the module calls "fortune cookie philosophy", sayings that may or may not make sense.
[[/folder]]