Can you trademark a proverb?

No. In the U.S. you get "common-law" rights in a trademark the moment it is first used in commerce in association with your goods or services, but only in the market where you have used it. This...

A non-registered trademark is called 'common law trademark' in Canada and is typically implemented in order to show the intent to trademark. Unfortunately, common law trademarks are difficult to...

Upon issuance of the Trademark Certificate legalized by the Trademark Office in that country

You can trademark a product or service. You can also use other types of "marks" for sounds or building design.

A trademark is a type of intellectual property, specifically a mark used in trade: a business or product name, logo, or slogan.