A good book, a good friend. (Italian)Neither love nor a cough can be hidden. (Roman)Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it. (Arabian) One enemy is too many, one hundred friends is not enough. (Indian)The Routledge Book of World Proverbs invites the reader to travel the globe in search of the origins of such words of wisdom, experiencing the rich cultural traditions reflected in each nation's proverbs. This collection contains over 16,000 gems of humor and pathos that draw upon themes from our shared experiences of life. And we are not just invited to learn about other cultures; proverbs are 'bits of ancient wisdom' and thus teach us about our shared histories. This book draws together proverbs that transcend culture, time and space to offer a collection that is both useful and enjoyable, making this book one of enduring interest.