The beauty of a proverb rests in its simplicity.

A collection of essays, The Tongue Can Break Bones examines 100 Korean proverbs and their meanings, placing an emphasis on how these messages are universal to both Eastern and Western culture. Though gentle and humorous, these proverbs offer time-tested wisdom that crosses continents, derived from the everyday experience and lives of average citizens.



About the Author

C. Bonaventure is the last child of a 10-person family, born and raised in Korea. After successive post-baccalaureate degrees in Canada and the United States, Bonaventure spent 40 years working both in an industry setting and academia. After retiring in 2013, he began working on the series of essays that form The Tongue Can Break Bones in an effort to promote Korean culture and disseminate the wisdom therein. It offers a counter-balance to the "fast and furious" pace of modern living.

Currently, Bonaventure resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife, June, who is a university professor.