Informant: Kleider machen Leute

(Clothes make the man)

Collector: Who told you this?

Informant: My mother told me this constantly, like several times in a month all during my childhood. This proverb exists in many languages, and I don’t know why she chose to tell it in German. I would guess that this was passed down from her parents.

Collector: Why do you think she told you this proverb? In what context?

Informant: Having grown up in difficult circumstances-both as the neglected daughter of the family and as a member of a persecuted community in Europe-she felt that assuming the persona that you wanted by ‘wearing the clothes ‘ and doing whatever it takes to be beautiful or accepted were important survival skills that she wanted to pass on to me. Also, grooming was very important to women in France.

Collector : And what did the proverb mean to you ?

Informant : For me, growing up in far less precarious circumstances, it represented superficiality, because I felt that what is inside a person is more important.

In the few times I’ve heard this proverb personally, it was always more in a wholesome manner. It was in the context akin to working for the place you wanted to be. Essentially, you should act as if you are where you want to be and your hard work will get you there. In the case of this informant, it’s in a more self-conscious and conforming mentality that could potentially have repercussions on the informant. By being told one should do whatever it takes to be accepted, individuality and originality is undermined. Rather than accepting oneself and working to be happy on one’s own terms, it is suggested that they work to be accepted by others and make others happy.

Informant: Il faut souffrir pour être belle

(french, « one must suffer to be beautiful »)

Collector: Who told you this?

Informant: My mother told me this often, like several times in a month all during my childhood. This proverb exists in many languages, but she always told me in French.

Collector: Why do you think she told you this proverb? In what context?

Informant: She was trying to tell me that things don’t come easily, and that you have to work hard to get results. I think that her own background of exile and having to begin a new life in America taught her that nothing comes easy. I think that in particular she wanted me to care for my outward appearance as this was very important to her. And I think that she told me in french instead of in English because women in France are known to place a high value on grooming.

Collector : And what did the proverb mean to you ?

Informant : For me, it represented superficiality, because I felt that what is inside a person is more important. I grew up in the 60s, and we were really rebelling against the idea that you have to ‘work hard for the man’.

In the few times I’ve heard this proverb, it was in a more wholesome manner. It was in the context akin to working for the place you wanted to be. Essentially, you should act as if you are where you want to be and your hard work will get you there. In the case of this informant, it’s in a more self-conscious and conforming mentality that could potentially have reprecussions on the informant. By being told one should do whatever it takes to be accepted, individuality and originality is undermined. Rather than accepting oneself and working to be happy on one’s own terms, it is suggested that they work to be accepted by others and make others happy.

Informant: A day late and a dollar short.

The informant learned this proverb from her mother.

Collector: Why would your mom say this proverb? In what context?

Informant: It was always meant jokingly/lightheartedly but I guess with the context of death or talking about not experiencing something.

Collector: Did you hear proverbs from your mother a lot?

Informant: No, mom didn’t say proverbs often.

Collector: Did you have a strict upbringing?

Informant: Not a super strict upbringing but in some ways, yeah; like with school want what not.

Collector: Did the day late and dollar short proverb make you think about missing opportunities or not experiencing life enough? Why or why not?

Informant: Yes, that quote made me want to embrace life and make the most because I don’t want to fail or live with regrets.

Under the context provided by the informant, this proverb expresses a correlation between success and finances. This shows a very westernized obsession with monetary goods. To relate being ‘a dollar short’ with not experiencing something also associates all aspects of life with money whether it be specifically a financially secure occupation or the ability to adventure and participate in recreational activities.

Informant: Be swift to hear, slow to speak.

The informant learned this proverb from her mother who said it often.

The proverb was said in situations where the informant was speaking too much or saying things that weren’t beneficial to her or those around her.

The informant admired the proverb and took it to heart when it was said. The informant still attempts to live by it.

Collector: where do you think your mother heard this? From her parents, church, elders?

Informant: From church

Collector: Did you know that this is similar to something from the Bible (Epistle of James): “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath?”

Informant: Yes, she told me. All of her teachings were biblical.

Children are unaware of societal etiquette or proper behavior and tend to speak hurtful truths, share unnecessary thoughts and ignore other people talking. This proverb could help to teach the children the importance of being careful of what they say and always listening to others.

For another version, see Epistle of James in the Bible.