Section outline

    • Proverbs usually evolve over time and often bear regional implications. They are metaphorical expressions which often carry somewhat hidden meanings and carry underlying wisdoms. Because a proverb is of traditional and folkloric origin, there are countless proverbs in the world, often representing people's perspectives and world views. Here, on the Wall of Numbers you will find a total of 7 proverbs from all over the world in which numbers play a special role.


      The following proverbs are depicted on the Wall of Numbers. Maybe you can find parallels to the languages you speak?


      Language

      Proverb (original language)

      Proverb (German)

      Literal translation

      Portugese (Brazil)

      Quero conhecer os quatro cantos do mundo

      I want to discover the whole world.

      I want to discover all four corners of the world.

      Mooré

      Nisaal yaa wè, ka ta piig ye 

      Nobody knows everything/ nobody is perfect.

      A person is a 9, but never a 10.

      Lao

      3 ມື້ດື 4 ນື້ໃຂ້

      Sometimes like this, sometimes like that (this proverb illustrates the indecisiveness)

      3 good days, 4 days of illness.

      Russian

      один за всех, все за одного

      One for all, each for one.

      One for all, each for one.

      Arabic

      عشرة على عشرة

      Straight A.

      Ten out of ten.

      Vietnamese

      Một nụ cười bằng mười thang thuốc bổ

      Laughing is the best medicine.

      A laugh equals ten doses of medicine.

      Swahili

      Samaki mmoja akioza, huoza wote

      One sick sheep spoils the whole flock.

      If one fish rots, they all rot.