The Concept of Idleness in Turkish and Polish Proverbs

Abstract

Each language reflects the culture of the society that communicates through it. The most important elements of a culture which passed down from generation to generation are recorded in the form of proverbs. These proverbs in nonliterate times substituted for unwritten law. They were passed on to subsequent generations, presenting knowledge about the surrounding world and the principles of social life. They showed what is good and what deserves praise, and what should be condemned and punished. Despite the cultural differences and the use of different languages, there are aspects of human life that are common to all communities. One such aspect is the perception and negative valuation of idleness. This analysis concerns the perception of idleness preserved in Polish and Turkish proverbs. It is condemned in both languages and cultures in question. In addition, proverbs show the negative consequences of lazing around and neglecting your duties. Unlike diligence, which is the subject of about a hundred proverbs in the Turkish language, a low number is devoted to laziness. The situation is similar in Polish. Nonetheless, there are also proverbs whose content cannot be found in the second analyzed language. Only Turkish proverbs emphasize that happiness is conducive to lazy people, and also warn against forcing a person who is unable to do his job well. In Polish, however, attention is paid to behaviors during work and eating. The lazy man is also denied the right to eat food which he has not earned. Lazy people are also unable to appreciate the well-deserved rest, because they are never tired of work (only of their own laziness). In both languages we deal with the praise of hard work, which leads to well-deserved rest and wealth. In addition, lazy panhandlers are despised.