Proverbs, Sayings, and Maxims - Let's Teach Common Notions Embodied in Short Persuasive Texts

We should assign more imitation (the word meant in a very broad meaning) exercises in the beginning stages of teaching rhetoric and writing, as has been done for many centuries, especially focusing in the beginning on short texts, bits of poetry, proverbs, and the like. Reasons are given, such as the existence of texts that embody common notions of humanity, the need for the close and deep knowledge and familiarity with good and clear words of democratic citizenship, the existence of our modern short-text (slogan and soundbite) communication culture, and the like.