It's no surprise that the topic of love occupies a significant place in the wellspring of folk wisdom. What, then, is primarily emphasized there? Let's take a look.
What does love look like?
This feeling is often compared to fire. Our ancestors long ago observed that “love is not a fire; once it starts, it can't be extinguished.” In Spain, they add, “Separation is to love like wind to fire: it extinguishes weak love, but fans great love.” In Germany, there's a saying, “Old love is like dry wood: it ignites easily.” In England, it's “a heart on fire—sparks on the tongue.” In Sweden, it's “if there's fire in the heart, there's smoke in the head.”
The Greeks describe it this way: “Love begins in the eyes, continues with a smile on the lips, then ignites a fire in the heart, only to burn to the end.” The Israelis also speak of its fiery nature: “Love ignites the soul and burns the body.” The Tamils call it “the most powerful fire.”
At the same time, according to various cultures, this feeling is similar to more than just flame. “Love is like dew: it doesn't distinguish honey from wormwood,” say the Lithuanians; “love is the dew that falls on nettles and lilies,” echo the Swedes. According to Latvian tradition, “love is like a tear: it begins in the eyes and sinks into the heart.” The element of water is also mentioned by the Georgians, who say, “the river of love has no ford.” And the Turks expand the comparison even further: “love is the sea: whoever can't swim will drown.”
Sometimes it's mistaken for an illness: “Love is like a disease—the older you get, the stronger it gets,” warn the Spaniards. The French agree: “Love is the only illness you don't want to get rid of.” And in faraway Africa, the Malagasy define it this way: “Love is like silk: it can wrap the dead and dress the living.” And in many countries, they say “love is a ring.”
How strong is true love?
The unwavering power of love has inspired countless wise sayings. The English declare, “Love conquers all.” The Chinese, along with the Koreans, repeat, “Love can build the Great Wall of China overnight.” The Mongols smile and declare, “A toad in love can swim across the sea.”
The French subscribe to the zoomorphic symbolism: “love will teach even a donkey to dance,” and further emphasize the heroism of true love: “death will not frighten love.” Estonians share this opinion: “love is stronger than death.” The Spanish are convinced that “love is so powerful and sacred that even a cripple will not escape beauty.” The Afghans also have no doubt of its power: “love's embrace will crush a bracelet.”
The Irish advise: “If you love her even in rags, your love will last until the end of days.” Romanians insist that “love understands all languages,” the Vietnamese believe that “if love is mutual, any work is possible,” and in our country, the saying has long been: “Advice and love, that's what makes the world work.”
Is it possible to bribe true feeling?
If you look closely, you'll notice that different cultures express similar views about the incorruptibility of love. Our “with a loved one, even a hut is paradise” sounds similar in Romania: “love is not an estate: it cannot be bought”; and in Norway: “love thrives both in a country cottage and in a manor house.”
The Tamils are categorical in their opinion: “There is no such thing as love for money.” The Japanese assert: “Love does not discriminate between ranks,” “Love is indifferent to lineage,” “For the sake of love, people are willing to wear rags.”
In Slovakia, folk wisdom says, “It's better to break stones with someone you love than to saw wood with someone you hate.” The Basques express it no less bluntly: “It's better to be wounded by someone you love than to kiss someone you hate.” Bulgarians say, “In harmony, even wormwood is honey.”
With all my heart I wish you true love, coming from the very depths of your heart!
