EN
This paper aims to examine selected proverbs that derive from the Holy Bible. It seems that the issue of proverbs is widely discussed by linguists; however, the examination of proverbs that come from the Holy Scripture appear to require more attention. Since it is impossible to provide an exhaustive description of the abundance of proverbs that permeate the Holy Bible, animals have been chosen to constitute the focal motif. The selected proverbs are analysed according to the assumptions of the Axiological Invariance Principle and the Great Chain of Being metaphors. Making reference to the symbolism of particular motifs, the axiological charges of the proverbs are explained. We conclude that the majority of the presented proverbs reveal negative axiological charges; however, it would be inappropriate to conclude that all animals depicted in the Holy Bible are regarded as an incarnation of purely evil phenomena.