The Book of Proverbs Trivia Quiz

Answer: If the business fails it's due to bad leadership

The origin of this proverb is not truly known but it is mainly attributed to the Turks. The proverb can be found in "Observations on the religion, law, government, and manners of the Turks", which was written in 1768 by James Porter.

Answer: Confessed

"A fault confessed is half redressed" Is an old English proverb meaning that confession is the beginning of forgiveness. This proverb can be found in Henry George Bohn's 1855 "Handbook of Proverbs 285".

Answer: Someone who hates women

This proverb suggests that women have nothing good to say, and only use their tongues to gossip. However, according to the 18th century book "A Complete Collection of English Proverbs", the word tongue was used to signify language, rather than the physical tongue, meaning that it was highly improbable women would be able to learn another language.

Answer: Journey

"Success is a journey, not a destination" means the most valued part of achieving success and your ambitions is the experience that you gain in the process, and not always the outcome.

Answer: Thought

"The wish is father to the thought" means you think something is true because you want it to be. The proverb is accredited to Shakespeare's "King Henry IV Part 2 (1597)", when Prince Harry says to his dying father King Henry IV, "I never thought to hear you speak again"

To this the King replies:

"Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought:
I stay too long for thee, I weary thee.
Dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair
That thou wilt needs invest thee with my honours
Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish youth!"

Answer: Kitchen

"If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen" means if the pressure is too much for you to cope with, it is better that you step to one side. Its origin is attributed to Harry S. Truman in 1942. Truman was known for being a very straight forward speaker, always saying what he meant, without wasting anyone's time, or "beating around the bush" as they say.

Answer: I understand

In other words, it is better to learn by doing something and not just observing. The proverb is attributed to the Chinese teacher, philosopher & reformer Confucius, who lived from 551 BC - 479 BC.

Answer: Mouse trap

"The only free cheese is in the mouse trap" means you should always be careful if people promise or offer things for free, as most of the time it will be a way to cheat you out of something. In very few occasions in life you will get something for nothing. It is said that this proverb originates from Russia.

Answer: Scoundrel

"A house without either a cat or a dog is the house of a scoundrel" is an ancient Portuguese proverb. The Portuguese in general are considered to be animal loving people. The saying really means that if people do not like to have animals around them, chances are that they are not very good at relating to people in general, and therefore there is a natural mistrust towards them.

Answer: Word

"A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword" is cited in "The Anatomy of Melancholy" written by Robert Burton in 1621. Words do more harm than weapons when spoken hastily. This can be associated to Proverbs 26:17-28, when King Solomon gives guidance in dealing with gossip.