A proverb is an analogy that uses figurative language to portray particular situations. For example, so as not to embarrass another with overt attention, one might use a proverb to offer praise or to give advice. Or, a woman might warn her grandson about "a hypocrite" by telling the following proverb: "ular kepala dua" means "a snake with two heads." The Cambridge Dictionary of American English defines "proverb" as a "short statement, usually known by many people for a long time that gives advice or expresses some common truth." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of "proverb" suggests that such communal truth is primarily visual (an act witnessed by many): "brief popular epigram or maxim that is a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation."

Ghazali Dunia has his own opinion about proverbs, stating that idioms are "sayings" that can be found in old literature journals, and act as a way of thinking by Malay people at that time. In other words, it is an old Malay literary tool which had been widely used by people. It was used in their daily life as it enhanced the richness of the language itself; at the same time, it was used as a wise tool to advise or explain certain issues. According to Teuku Iskandar, a proverb is a sentence that has a permanent arrangement and contains a specific meaning, which is sometimes known as a "saying" or something similar. Tan Sri Abdul Samad Idris, a Malay scholar says that the importance of proverbs can be described as a linguistic heritage evolving from creative minds that explains in depth philosophical thinking related to civilization, ethos and the morale of Malay people. Another Malay scholar, like Za'ba, defined proverbs as a short saying that has been practiced a long time ago by Malay ancestors. He also noted that idioms or proverbs, or sayings are a combination of creative and intelligent sentences that bring a broader definition for both the sender and the receiver. Based on this, he described a proverb as a meaningful sentence practiced by Malay people, widely known as old folks words, which is very valuable and a symbol of heritage owned by Malay people. According to Richard Winstedt, "Malay people have a lot of proverbs that can be used anytime in their communication." Malay proverbs are formed from critical observation regarding certain issues or phenomenon that occurred in daily life, being repeatedly spoken until they generated a meaning. The saying was then implemented as part of the culture and gave guidance for the community. Creative and intelligent people created proverbs many centuries ago. Proverbs were invented a long time ago before the existence of advanced and sophisticated information and communication tools. The younger Malay generations have forgotten about proverbs, but I believe that it is our mission to recover them before they totally disappeared from the world.