At least, at some point in your life, you will have heard Al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda (The early bird catches the worm), or Al mal tiempo, buena cara (In bad weather, happy face).
These sentences are known as Dichos or refranes (proverbs) in Latin American culture. The sayings/proverbs/dichos/refranes are short sentences that contain reflections of popular wisdom. Just like what your grandmother once told you, De tal Palo tal astilla (Like father, like son). These sentences are expressions that are already part of daily life, unconsciously, people say it all day. 
Each sentence has a different meaning contrary to what is shown. It is a play on words that express a different idea.
Example:
Dios aprieta pero no ahorca / God squeezes but does not strangle
Meaning: It is a popular saying that exhorts people to trust in providence when they are overwhelmed by needs. It is a slight expression of hope and acceptance.
It does not mean that god squeezes your neck, it is not a physical expression, but a play on words.
Another dicho is:
Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente / Shrimp who falls asleep, is carried away by the current.
Meaning: It originally refers to the negative consequences of laziness. It doesn’t exactly mean that a shrimp will be carried away by the current or that he will fall asleep.
All these dichos embrace very much what makes up the Hispanic American family. If you ever doubt if we really use them, you can find the Mexican show, Como Dice el Dicho.
Como Dice el Dicho
It is a series that tells various stories where a saying is selected per episode along with a theme or story. It takes place in Mexico City, mainly in a cafeteria called “El Dicho.” Throughout each episode, the aforementioned sayings are added to the walls of the cafeteria.
Popular Mexican dichos
- A falta de amor, unos tacos al pastor
- Para todo mal, mezcal y para todo bien también
- Este arroz ya se coció
- Le echas mucha crema a tus tacos
- Salió más caro el caldo que las albóndigas
- El muerto y el arrimado a los tres días apestan
- Estoy pariendo chayotes
- Tanto peca el que mata a la vaca como el que le agarra la pata
If you don’t know the meaning, take it as homework and learn more about them.
