r of abstraction, so that all races
have the power in some degree. When we come further to examine the
degree in which they possess it, we find that they compare favorably
with ourselves in any test which involves a fair comparison.

The proverb is a form of abstraction practiced by all races, and
is perhaps the best test of the natural bent of the mind in this
direction, because, like ballad poetry, and slang, proverbial sayings
do not originate with the educated class, but are of popular origin.
At the same time, proverbs compare favorably with the _mots_ of
literature, and many proverbs have, in fact, drifted into literature
and become connected with the names of great writers. Indeed, the
saying that there is nothing new under the sun applies with such force
and fidelity to literature that, if we should strip Hesiod and Homer
and Chaucer of such phrases as "The half is greater than the whole,"
"It is a wise son that knows his own father" (which Shakespeare quotes
the other end about), and "To make a virtue of necessity," and if we
should further eliminate from literature the motives and sentiments
also in ballad poetry and in popular thought, little would remain but
form.

If we assume, then, that the popular mind--let us say the peasant
mind--in the white race is as capable of abstraction as the mind of
the higher classes, but not so specialized in this direction--and
no one can doubt this in view of the academic record of country-bred
boys--the following comparison of our proverbs with those of the
Africans of the Guinea coast (the latter reported by the late Sir A.B.
Ellis[259]) is significant:

_African._ Stone in the water-hole does not feel the cold.
_English._ Habit is second nature.

_A._ One tree does not make a forest.
_E._ One swallow does not make a summer.

_A._ "I nearly killed the bird." No one can eat nearly in a stew.
_E._ First catch your hare.

_A._ Full-belly child says to hungry-belly child, "Keep good cheer."
_E._ We can all endure the misfortunes of others.

_A._ Distant firewood is good firewood.
_E._ Distance lends enchantment to the view.

_A._ Ashes fly back in the face of him who throws them.
_E._ Curses come home to roost.

_A._ If the boy says he wants to tie the water with a string, ask
him whether he means the water in the pot or the water in
the lagoon.
_E._ Answer a fool according to his folly.

_A._ Cowries are men.