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What is the difference between proverb and foible?

proverb | foible |

As nouns the difference between proverb and foible

is that proverb is a phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations while foible is a quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way (usage is typically plural), that is slightly strange or silly.

As a verb proverb

is to write or utter proverbs.

As a adjective foible is

(obsolete) weak; feeble.

proverb

English

(wikipedia proverb)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations.
  • A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable.
  • * Bible, John xvi. 29
    • His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb .
  • A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference.
  • * Bible, Deuteronomy xxviii. 37
    • Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb , and a by word, among all nations.
  • A drama exemplifying a proverb.

    • Synonyms

    * (phrase expressing a basic truth) adage, apothegm, byword, maxim, paroemia, saw, saying, sententia * See also

    Derived terms

    * proverbial * proverbiology * proverbs hunt in pairs

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To write or utter proverbs.
  • To name in, or as, a proverb.
  • * 1671 , John Milton, Samson Agonistes , lines 203-205:
    • Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool / In every street, do they not say, "How well / Are come upon him his deserts?"
  • To provide with a proverb.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase.
    (Webster 1913)

    See also

    * ----

    foible

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Weak; feeble.
    • (Lord Herbert)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A quirk, idiosyncrasy, or mannerism; unusual habit or way (usage is typically plural), that is slightly strange or silly.
    • Try to look past his foibles and see the friendly fellow underneath.
  • * 1915 ,
    • They made up for the respect with which unconsciously they treated him by laughing at his foibles and lamenting his vices.
  • * 1959 , Meriden Record, " An ounce of prevention", July 24 issue
    • Final fillip in the Vice-President's study has been a boning up]] on Premier Khrushchev's favorite foible , proverbs. The bibulous Russian leader likes to throw out homely [[homily, homilies in his speeches and conversations..
  • (fencing) Part of a sword between the middle and the point, weaker than the forte.
  • A weakness or failing of character.
  • * 1932 , , by William Floyd
    • Jesus is reverenced as the one man who has lived unspotted by the world, free from human foibles , able to redeem mankind by his example.

    Synonyms

    * (a weakness or failing of character) fault

    Related terms

    * feeble