Why borrow old words?
A classic is a text that people still read after a very long time, because it says something true in a strong way. A proverb or old saying is a short line that people have passed on for years.
When we use them, our listeners feel a bond with a long shared past, and our point sounds strong. But we must use them well.
How to quote a classic passage
- Copy exactly. Do not change a word in a quote.
- Use quote marks at the start and the end.
- Name the source: the author or the book, so that listeners know whose words they are.
- Keep it short. One line is usually enough. If you leave out words, show it with three dots (...).
- Explain it in your own words: "This means that...".
An example frame: As the old book says, "..." In other words, ...
If you only give the idea but not the exact words, that is not a quote. It is a paraphrase. Still say where the idea came from.
Using proverbs and old sayings
A proverb says a big idea in a few words. "A stitch in time saves nine" means: fix a small problem early, before it becomes big. "Slow and steady wins the race" means: keep going, do not rush. "Many hands make light work" means: share the work.
Most proverbs are not literal. The stitch is not about sewing; it is about early action. Use a proverb when:
- it fits the situation,
- your listeners know it or you explain it,
- you use one, not many.
Many languages have their own sayings with the same meaning. You can use ones from your own language and explain them.
Try it
Think of a situation today: a friend rushing, a messy room or a group project. Choose a saying that fits and say one sentence with it. Then add one more line that explains it without the proverb. Ask your friend: "Was it clear?"
Key formulas and definitions
- Quote = exact words + quote marks + source
- Q-S-E: Quote, Source, Explain
- Paraphrase = same idea in your own words (no quote marks)
- Proverb = short, shared saying with a big idea
- Use: fits the situation, one at a time
Worked examples
1. Write a sentence that quotes "Slow and steady wins the race" for a student who wants to study only on the last night.
As the old saying goes, "Slow and steady wins the race." This means that studying a little every day will help you more than rushing on the last night.
2. Why is this wrong: He said that a book told that haste makes waste, with no marks or source?
It has no quote marks and no source, so listeners cannot tell it is a quotation or whose words they are. Better: As the saying goes, "Haste makes waste."
3. Which proverb fits "everyone helps to clean the hall": A stitch in time saves nine, or Many hands make light work?
"Many hands make light work", because the situation is about sharing work.
Common mistakes
- Changing the words inside quote marks.
- Forgetting to name the source or whose words they are.
- Using a proverb that does not fit the situation, just to sound clever.
- Using many quotes in a short talk so that your own words disappear.