The proverbs of a nation are often said to be a key to its character. Here then are a few:

The face of a wife shows what her husband is, the shirt of a husband shows what his wife is.

Though a cow may be black, her milk is white.


A woman has long hair, but short brains.


Ill-gotten wealth never reaches the third generation.


God sometimes shuts one door, in order to open a hundred others.


Where the devil cannot cause mischief, he sends an old woman, and she does it.


A cheerful heart spins the flax.


Better let the village perish than its ancient customs.