An adage is a short, pointed, and memorable saying that is based on facts, and which is considered a veritable truth by the majority of people. It expresses a general fact or truth about life, which becomes more and more popular before it is accepted as a universal truth. Famous adages become accepted due to their usage over a long period of time. Adages are not only found in literature, but also in advertising and scripts of films. Often repeated sayings and quotes become adages that pass on to many generations.
For instance, “God helps those who help themselves” is now considered a universal truth because of its usage throughout human history.
However, some adages are metaphoric (having hidden meanings, and thus embody common observations). Sometimes, proverbs are referred as adages, but there is a slight difference. {visit www.goxtramile..com for the difference}

Why Adages?
The first major function of adage is to give awareness to the readers about some facts of life. They are applicable in any circumstance or situation, as they convey deeper meanings of wisdom. Most of these sayings are clever and they suggest moral lessons, having lifelong impacts of the universal truths enclosed in them. They become imprinted on the minds of the users. Moreover, they sum up the moral lesson of a story such as in Aesop’s Fables. Authors use this device to make their works effective, solid and rich.

Examples of Adage from Literature
The Holy Bible will be my first reference point. The Bible has employed adages with deeper, moral meanings. The scriptures have some expressions that are now universal sayings. Some of which include;
- Don’t cast your pearls before swine – Matthew 7:6
- It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35
- Pride goes before a fall – Proverbs 16:18
- To everything there is a season – Ecclesiastes 3:1
The purpose of these sayings is to educate, and increase the readers’ awareness.
“In Memoriam” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all
In these lines, Tennyson is giving advice about having love in one’s life, which is a truth used in literary texts even today.

Aesop in some of his works like,
From The Bee-Keeper and the Bees
“Things are not always what they seem.”
From The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
“Appearances often are deceiving.”
From The Tortoise and the Hare
“Slow and steady wins the race.”
The lines expressed above are very popular in literature as well as in everyday use. People use these adages in their common speeches as witty sayings.

Desiderius Erasmus is also famous for using adages in his works. The following are some used in his polular text “Adagia”
- God helps those who help themselves.
- Put the cart before the horse.
- Call a spade a spade
These lines are commonly used sayings in daily conversation. They are now accepted as universal truths.

Benjamin Franklin in his yearly publication “Poor Richard’s Almanack” from 1732-1758,
- Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise
- Eat to live, and not live to eat
- To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish
- Well done is better than well said (Or probably “It is well said than done”)
- A penny saved is a penny earned
These sayings became popular due to extensive use of witty adages and word play and have popular adages used to this day.

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