This “compendium of proverbial wisdom”, as Harold Cordry refers to it, is a most impressive compilation. Multicultural it certainly is, listing over 20,000 proverbs and adages from more than 120 languages, nationalities and ethnic groups. “Scholarship knows no national boundary” is a Korean proverb listed as no. 15997 in this compilation. Mr Cordry has borne this in mind, and his volume can certainly claim to have universal appeal.
The arrangement is alphabetical by topic, starting with Ability and ending with Zeal. Throughout this A to Z presentation there are innumerable references and cross‐references, so that consultants have a great deal of choice. The entries are consecutively numbered, and each one ends with its origin, Biblical, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Latin, Nigerian, Scottish or whatever. A seeker of proverbs relating, for example to old age would find no fewer than 162 examples, with references to other entries under Age, Aging (sic), Maturity, Youth, and Youth and old age. A three‐page bibliography is provided, listing entries which date from 1530 to 1990, and there are three separate indexes: one for keywords, one for subjects, and one for sources.
Mr Cordry’s credentials are not known to me, but he is clearly a scholar of no mean repute, and he can be justly proud of this book. It is one which should adorn the shelves of most reference libraries, and one that is certain to be well‐used by readers.
