Folk Wisdom of Mexico: Proverbios y dichos Mexicanos

by Jeff M. Sellers (Editor), Annika Maria Nelson (Illustrations), Gary Soto (Foreword)

With a delightful mixture of laughter and love, fatalism and faith, the proverbs of Mexico capture the wisdom, spirit, and experience of a complex and colorful country. Over 100 authentic sayings -- or dichos -- are presented in this charming bilingual assortment. Compiled by a former writer for the Mexico City News, illustrated with dramatic artwork, and including a foreword by Gary Soto, the noted Chicano poet, this wise and wonderful collection will entertain, inform, and enchant readers both north and south of the border.

Genres: Nonfiction

80 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Zai Zai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for stuff like this. Local sayings + local art. SOLD!

[Julietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, but beautiful book, listing proverbs from México. Luckily for me, I'm able to read them in the original Spanish although Jeff Sellers does a decent job of translating the meaning while keeping the flavor intact.

While reading, I notice a few that seemed equivalent, or at least close, to some proverbs in English.

For example,

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.

seems pretty similar to

El que con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña. (He who travels with wolves, learns to howl.)

Another one:

You've made your bed, now lie in it.

Sounds like

Arriba ya del caballo, hay que aguantar los respingos. (Since you're on the horse, you must put up with the bucking.)

The accompanying print illustrations by Annika Maria Nelson add to this experience.

Enjoy! ¡Disfruten!

[RLB Hartmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars only because it's too thin! I would have liked more examples. A good way for non-Latinos to learn some idiomatic Spanish while dipping into the culture which has strong, though sometimes discounted roots, in Spain. The attractive illustrations embody the soul of Mexican primitive art. "La esperanza muere al último."

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una lectura rápida, donde el plus y el chiste es ver las ilustraciones tan mexicanas y la labor de traducción e interpretación.

En lo personal, aprender que los dichos mexicanos igual son solo versiones de los dichos españoles.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very good advice. Many of these expressions we use today so I found that interesting

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in about 20 minutes. Short and sweet. Full of great sayings and something I'll no doubt go back to every now and again.