Geflügelte Worte: Der Citatenschatz des deutschen Volkes

A compact yet richly detailed anthology, this volume gathers the most familiar sayings that have slipped into everyday conversation over centuries. First compiled in the mid‑19th century, the collection has been carefully refreshed and expanded by successive editors, whose meticulous notes and corrections bring the work ever closer to a definitive reference.

The entries are arranged thematically and geographically: biblical passages sit beside folk tales, while quotations from German, French, English, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Greek, Latin and many other traditions follow in clearly labeled sections. Each quotation is accompanied by a concise explanation, making the book useful for anyone who wants to understand the origin or proper context of a familiar phrase.

Beyond the quotations themselves, the volume includes a biographical sketch of its original compiler and a thorough index of sources. Readers are even invited to contribute further material, reflecting the work’s long‑standing tradition of communal scholarship.