Ebook: Armenian Proverbs and Sayings Translated into English

Academy of St Lazarus; Fourth edition, 1932. - 61 p.Armenian Proverbs and Sayings Translated into EnglishThere are perhaps, but few proverbs and wise sayings, among any people, which are not at the same time the common property of all nations, and if the spirit of the proverb has been preserved, they are changed in form, in the translation from one language to another.They convey nearly the same meaning, but they have lost their originality; and it is just this originality that imparts to them the gravity, and the savour of a proverb.In one nation a proverb, conveys simply what the words express in their primitive sense; to another a mere whimsical idea is suggested, which however imparts to it the pitch of originality.It might appear that the proverb has been distorted, but on closer examination - gentle reader - it will be found to possess that charm, to the people, into whose tongue it has been translated;imparted by, and stamped with the skill, and genius of the translator, hence its newness of form is no deterioration from I its original piquancy of style.Among the thousand proverbs and wise sayings in daily use among the armenian people, we have ventured to select a few with the hope that our choice has been judiciously made.Though we have not always observed a litteral translation, we have not lost, sight of the meaning, and spirit of the originals, and have as far as the language would allow, maintained their originality and turn.Chiefly have we followed the above course in our English translation, and thus with the hope of imparting some little pleasure - in the hours not devoted to the sterner occupations of life - we place our little book in the hands of .the indulgent and gentle reader.