Portuguese proverbs - Donata Garliauskaitė

Proverb is a simple and concrete saying widely known and repeated, expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. Normally they are metaphorical. Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Frequently they have different phrase but the meaning comes down the same. For example:

• Antes tarde do que nunca. Better late than never. Geriau veliau negu niekada.
It means that it is better to do something later than not to do it at all. Also, it is often used as a polite way to respond when a person says "sorry" for being late.

• Nem tudo o que reluz é ouro. All that glisters is not gold. Ne viskas auksas, kas auksu žiba.
The expression, in various forms, dates from at least as far as the 12th century. It is a well-known saying, meaning that not everything that looks precious is precious. This means that appearances can be deceptive and things that look or sound valuable can be worthless.

• Aquele que me tira do perigo, é meu amigo. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Draugą pažinsi nelaimėje.
A version of this proverb was known by the 3rd century BC. Quintus Ennius wrote: 'Amicu certus in re incerta cernitur'. This translates from the Latin as 'a sure friend is known when in difficulty'. On the balance of varienty evidences, nowadays the meaning of this proverb is „A friend, when you are in need, is someone who is prepared to prove their friendship by their deeds”.

All these three proverbs have a different meaning but proclaim the same truth in real life. They are not published first time. They are using in a daily life by thousands of people and passing on from one generation to other. It is interesting that in three different language (portuguese; english; lithuanian) these proverbs have similar translation and they are easy using and understanding for people from different countries and cultures.