Dil ve kültür arasındaki bağlantı - "merhamet" duygusunun dilsel dünya tasviri (Türk atasözleri ve deyimleri)

If we want to know a country’s culture it is enough find out about language its inhabitants used in the past, especially the idioms and phraseological expressions, proverbs and sayings. It is obvious that the knowledge of many words used in common language is useful, but learning about the proverbs gives the possibility learn about the language and culture expressed in and by this language. Knowing proverbs is essential to knowing and feeling a language. It is impossible to explore one’s culture without knowing at least the most common proverbs, and it is impossible to get to know a language without knowing them, too. It is because the unbreakable connection between language and culture is visible in proverbs. In this paper, proverbs and phraseological expressions linked to the feeling of mercy will be shown. Emphasize will be put especially on one proverb: “Mercy is the sixth rule of Islam.” As it is known, Turks participated in many wars all over the world and acting with mercy to the enemies shows that even fighting people should not lose their humanity. This fact testifies that proverbs are not only connected with culture, but also with historical events. All of the expressions concerning mercy confirm the importance of this feeling in common life. In addition many phraseological expressions corroborate the same importance of merciful behaviour. While being merciful is shown as virtue, mercilessness is criticized. It is enough to analyze one proverb to be able to understand the culture, beliefs and lifestyle of a given society that uses a particular language. Culture, beliefs and lifestyle expressed in proverbs strengthen the identity of a person. It is a self-presentation of a human or of a nation.