三、谚语和俗语的对称美:对仗工整,词句,押韵,语言精炼,表意透切的谚语或俗语更具有说服力和感染力,可使人念念不忘,受用终生。例如:
no pains no gains 不劳不获
no cross , no crown 无苦即无乐
once bit ,twice shy 一次被咬,下次胆小
first come , first served 先到的先招待
young saints , old devils 小时圣洁老邪恶
man proposes , god disposes 谋事在人,成事在天
from saving comes having 富有来自节俭。
so far , so good 目前为止,一切很好
like father , like son 有其父,必有其子
well fed , well bred 吃得饱,懂礼貌
grasp all , lose all 贪多必失。
spare the rod , and spoil the child 不教不成材。
more haste ,less speed 欲速则不达。
in for a penny , in for a pound 一不做,二不休
waste not , want not 俭以防匮。
a friend in need is a friend indeed .患难见真情。
harm set , harm get .害人反害已
a lazy youth , a lousy age .少壮不努力,老大徒伤悲
least said , soonest mended .少说为妙
light come , light go .易得则易失。
a good neighbor ,a good morrow 好邻生好景
many men ,many minds .十个人,十条心。熟得早,坏(烂)得快。
no mill , no meal 不磨面,没饭吃
nothing venture ,nothing have .不入虎穴,焉得虎子
two's company , three's none . 两人成伴,三人不欢
out of sight , out of mind .眼不见,心不烦
speech is silver , silence is gold .言语是银,沉默是金