The method of sentence classification by comparison with the example one was used in order to establish the differences in two types of proverbs' comprehension. One of them describes really impossible actions and so has only the metaphorical meaning, the other one describes possible but senseless actions and has literal as well as metaphorical meaning. The differences in time necessary for comprehention of the proverbs of both types and their dynamics in examinees having worked out the sense criterion of proverb classification are shown.