Proverbs Annotation and Connotations: Go To Top

Proverbs Annotation And Connotations
A
An able horse will never come back to feed in the same stable.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hao3 ma3 bu4 chi1 hui2 tou2
cao3.) A caable emloyer never returns to the
same emloyer a!ter leaving him.
Add a flower to a bouquet.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "in3 shang4 tian1 hua1.) #a$e
imrovements uon something good %ith an attemt at er!ection.
Add frost to snow.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: &ue3 shang4 'ia1 shuang1.)
((imilar roverb: A weasel bit a sick duck. )))))))): Huang2shu3lang2 dan1 yao3
bing4 ya1*i) Add insult to in'ury.
Add legs to the snake one has just painted.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hua4 she2 tian1 *u2.) +o something
that is totally unnecessary and soil %hat you already have done.

Add oil to a fire.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Huo3 shang4 'iao1 you2.) ,sn-t it
.adding !uel to a !lame).
Aged ginger is more pungent.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: "iang1 shi4 lao3de la4.) /lderly eole
are more e0erienced.
An aged steed confined to the stable still aspires after the glory of galloping
a thousand miles.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1ao3 'i4 !u2 li42 *hi4 *ai4 3ian1
li3.) Ambition survives even in senior age.
An ant may well destroy an entire dam.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 4ian1 li3 *hi1 di12 $ui4 yu2
yi30ue2.) ,! a small roblem is overloo$ed2 it could
develo into a big disaster as ant can multily2 ma$ing tunnels in the dam to allo%
%ater soa$ in and conse3uently bring it to a collase.
Any book you open will benefit your mind.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 5ai1 'uan4 you3 yi4.)
Approach heaven with a single stride.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i2 bu4 deng1 tian1.) #a$e an
e0tremely !ast rogress or get a huge romotion.

As a snipe and a clam are entangled in a fight, a fisherman catch them both.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u4 bang4 0iang1 *heng12 yu2
%eng1 de2 li4.) 7hen t%o dogs !ight !or a bone2 a third runs al%ays %ith it. 8he
roverb tells us that all arties in a disute may end u being losers to the bene!it o!
others.

9o to to
B
A base person often thinks of a man of honor as mean as himself.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i3 0iao3ren2 *hi1 0in1 du4
'un1*i3 *hi1 !u4.)
Be considerable to others and you will be treated likewise.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u4 ren2 !ang1bian42 *i4'i3
!ang1bian4.)
Begin to dig a well only when one feels thirsty.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1in2 $e3 'ue2 'ing3.) :egin to ta$e
measures %hen it is too late.
A book holds a house of gold.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (hu1 *hong1 *i4 you3 huang2'in1
%u1.) ,t is a motto adults use to encourage
youngsters to study. ,! you study hard2 you-ll have a good 'ob and a chance to ma$e
good money.
A bottle half filled (with vinegar) tends to rock.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :an3 ing2 cu4 ; luan4
huang4dang1.) 8he moral o! the roverb is something
li$e .(till %ater runs dee.. 7hen someone has a lot o! learning2 he or she still %ants
to learn more< only those %ho $no% a little brag a lot.
Burn a forest to farm and drain a pond to fish.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =en2 lin2 er3 tian22 'ie2 *e2
er3 yu2.) ,sn-t this %hat some o! us doing today to
our environment against the 3>>>;year old roverbial %arning) ,n many other
asects %e are also rone to such mista$es: in trying to achieve an end by all
means2 %e %ittingly or un%ittingly ignore the conse3uences.
Butcher the donkey after it finished his job on the mill.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: &ie4 mo4 sha1 l?2.) ,sn-t that ungrate!ul
and mean) 8here are eole %ho a!ter ta$ing advantage o! you turn their bac$ to
you.
9o to to

A camel standing amidst a flock of sheep.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6ang23un2 li3 tou2 chu1 luo4tuo.)
A crane is too obvious %hen it stands
among a !loc$ o! chic$ens and loo$s very a%$%ard. ,t is also true %ith a camel
amidst a !loc$ o! shee and a !lea %hen it stands on to o! a hairless head. 8hey all
carry a e'orative tone: the thing that out stands others is something a%$%ard i! not
necessarily bad.
arry out an e!ecution before seeking the decree.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: &ian1 *han3 hou4 *ou4.) 8here are
situations %hen one has to act be!ore reorting to his suerior. (houldn-t it be
avoided as much as ossible)
A chat with a friend is worth over ten years of schooling.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u4 'un1 yi4 0i2 tan22
sheng4 du2 shi2 nian2 shu1.) 8his is a hyerbole. Ho%ever2 boo$s may
not be able to teach us everything.
A clay figure fears rain" a lie fears truth.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: @i2ren2 a4 yu32 huang3yan2
a4 li3.)
A clay idol of bodhisattva fording a river can hardly save itself, let alone
anyone else.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: @i2 u2sa4 guo4 he22
*i4shen1 nan2 bao3.) :odhisattva is believed to be an
enlightened :uddhist god (goddess in Chinese belie!s) %ho2 out o! comassion2
!orgoes nirvana in order to save others. Ho%ever2 such a savior made in clay could
save nobody on the other side o! a river as the %ater %ould soa$ and dissolve it.
7hen one is in serious trouble2 he may not be able to save his o%n tail2 let alone
others-.
A clumsy bird that flies first will get to the forest earlier.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :en4 niao3 0ian1 !ei1 *ao3 ru4
lin2.) Asually as an e0ression o! modesty and
humbleness2 it means that one %ho is slo% in learning should ma$e e0tra e!!orts.
onjure up clouds with one turn of one#s hand and rain with another.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =an1 yun2 !u4 yu3.) 8o say that someone
can con'ure u clouds and rain %ith his turn o! hand is to say that he is caricious or
s$ill!ul at laying tric$s.
A crane standing amidst a flock of chickens.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pin yin: He4 li4 'i13un2.) A crane is too
obvious %hen it stands among a !loc$ o! chic$ens and loo$s very a%$%ard. ,t is also
true %ith a camel amidst a !loc$ o! shee and a !lea %hen it stands on to o! a
hairless head. 8hey all carry a e'orative tone: the thing that out stands others is
something a%$%ard i! not necessarily bad.
rows everywhere are equally black.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8ian10ia4 %u1ya1 yi1ban1 hei1.)
,t is a metahorical statement o! .:ad
eole are bad no matter %here you !ind them because human nature never
changes..
9o to to
$
A dagger can be concealed in a smile.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: &iao4 li3 cang2 dao1.) :e%are o!
this .$iss o! death..
A deliberate inaction is better than a blind action.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 dong4 bu4 ru2 yi2 'ing4.) 8hin$
be!ore you lea.
$iligence is the vehicle on the paths of %ountains of Books" endurance is
the vessel on the courses of the &eas of 'earning.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (hu1 shan1 you3
lu4 3in2 %ei2 'ing42 0ue2 hai3 %u2 ya2 $u3 *uo4 *hou1.)
$isasters never come alone.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Huo4 bu4 dan1 0ing2.) 8al$ing o!
e0tremely bad luc$. (imilar to .#isery loves comany.BC
A dish of carrot hastily cooked may still has soil not cleaned off the
vegetable.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1uo2bo1 $uai4 le bu4 0i3 ni2.)
7hen hurry through a 'ob it is imossible
to attend to the minute details.
$ismantle the bridge after crossing it.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9uo4 he2 chai1 3iao2.) ,sn-t that
ungrate!ul and mean) 8here are eole %ho a!ter ta$ing advantage o! you turn their
bac$ to you.
$isplay one#s proficiency of a!e in front of the master carpenter.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :an1 men2 nong4 !u3.) +islay one-s
minimal s$ill be!ore an e0ert.
$istant water won#t help to put out a fire close at hand.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6uan3 shui3 'iu4 bu4 liao3 'in4
huo3.) A slo% remedy can-t meet an emergency.
$istant water won#t quench your immediate thirst.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6uan3 shui3 'ie3 bu4 liao3 'in4
$e3.) (ame as above.
A dog will jump over a wall when cornered.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9ou3 'i2 tiao4 3iang2.) Avoid utting
others in a very di!!icult osition2 or you-ll get hurt yoursel!.
$on#t hit one on the face.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +a3 ren2 bu4 da3 lian3.) +isclose one-s
shortcomings in ublic %ould only antagoni*e him. :e dilomatic or tactic and he
may accet your criticism.
$on#t mention the word (dwarf( in front of a short person.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +ang1 *he ai3ren2 bie2 shuo1 ai3
hua4.) #entioning a erson-s shortcomings %ill
hurt his !eelings. Dne needs to be tact!ul or dilomatic %hen communicating %ith
others.
$on#t suspect your employee. )f one is suspicious, don#t employ him.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6ong4 ren2 bu4 yi22 yi2 ren2
bu2 yong4.)
$on#t want others to know what you have done* Better not have done it
anyway.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6ao4 0iang3 ren2 bu4 *hi12
chu2!ei1 'i3 mo4 %ei2.)
A donkey has limited abilities.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 4ian2 l?2 'i4 3iong2.) 8he story
goes that %hen a tiger sees a don$ey !or the !irst time it does not $no% %hether the
don$ey is a threat. A!ter a !e% teases2 the tiger learned the limits o! its ability. 8he
result is aarent. 8he roverb is used to re!er to someone %ho has e0hausted his
limited ability. @ever use this roverb %ith your colleague or !riends. ,t is
derogatory: the slight o! don$eys seems universal.
$onkey#s lips do not fit in with a horse#s mouth.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1?2chun2 bu2 dui4 ma3*ui3.) ,t
re!ers to something totally irrelevant.
+he dragon has nine sons, each different from the others.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 long2 sheng1 'iu3 *hong32
*hong3 *hong3 bu4 tong2.) Earely do sibblings have the same
temerament and characters.
A dragon will be teased by a shrimp in a shoal water" a tiger will be bullied
by a dog on a treeless plain.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1ong2 you2 3ian3
shui3 *ao1 0ia1 0i42 hu3 luo4 ing2 yang2 bei4 3uan3 3i1.)
(A similar roverb: A mighty dragon cannot subdue a local snake.
: 4iang2 long2 bu1 an4 di4 tou2 she2.) Dne thrives in his or her
o%n territory. An able erson in an adverse environment cannot bring his talent into
!ull lay. ,nstead2 he or she may become an underdog o! a less able erson %ho has
been in that environment !or a long time %ith a lot o! connections.
$raw a cake to satisfy one#s hunger.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hua4 bing3 chong1 'i1.) An unrealistic
solution to a roblem serves no other urose than sel! decetion.
$ripping water can eat through a stone.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +i1 shui3 chuan1 shi2.) Perseverance
%ill lead to success.
A dog won#t forsake his master because of his poverty" a son never deserts
his mother for her homely appearance.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9ou3 bu1 0ian2 'ia1 in22
er2 bu1 0ian2 niang2 chou3.) +on-t desise something or someone that
is close to you.
$rinking with a bosom friend, a thousand shots are too few" +alking with a
disagreeable person, half a sentence is too many.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "iu3 !eng2 *hi1'i3
3ian1 bei1 shao32 hua4 bu4 tou2 'i1 ban4 'u4 duo1.)
$ream different dreams on the same bed.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8ong2 chuang2 yi4 meng4.) Hide
di!!erent uroses behind the semblance o! accord.
A dream that lasts merely a millet soup#s cooking time.
(Chinese original: or Chinese Pinyin: Huang2liang2 yi1 meng4 or 6i1
*hen3 huang2liang2.) (ome got a magic illo% and dreamed all
the hainess a human being could thin$ o!2 but uon his a%a$ening2 he reali*ed
that the ot o! millet sou %as not yet ready ne0t door. 8he roverb is a$in to .day
dreaming. ; a !ond hoe that can never materiali*e.
$rinking the water of a well, one should never forget who dig it.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chi1 shui3 bu1 %ang4 'ue1 'ing3
ren2.) Dne should al%ays be grate!ul to those
%ho heled him succeed.
A drop of sweat spent in a drill is a drop of blood saved in a battle.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ping2shi2 duo1 liu2 han42
*han4shi2 shao3 liu2 0ue4.) #ore ractice %ill give one a better
chance o! success in real situation.
9o to to
,
,ach law suit is a fire" you can#t avoid its burning flame.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 chang3
guan1si1 yi1 chang3 huo32 ren4 ni3 hao3han4 mei2 chu4 duo3.) ,t may not be
true2 but this is a traditional Chinese belie!. Peole %ould rather su!!er some loss
than !ind themselves entangled in a la% suit that could rove more costly.
,ach sovereign maintains his own courtiers.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 chao2 tian1*i1 yi1 chao2
chen2.) =or instance2 each resident has his o%n
cabinet.
,ight )mmortals cross the sea, each employing his or her theurgy.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :a10ian1 guo4 hai32 ge4 0ian3
shen2tong1.) 8he /ight ,mmortals (:a0ian) are
legendary2 each has a secial miraculous o%er. 8he roverb describes a situation
%here eole bring their diverse talents into lay in accomlishing a tas$.
,ven a rabbit will bite when it is cornered.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8u4*i 'i2 le ye3 yao3 ren2.)
+he evil is dreaded by men but not heaven" the kind-hearted is cheated by
mortals but not .od.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Een2 e4 ren2 a4
tian1 bu2 a42 ren2 shan4 ren2 3i1 tian1 bu4 3i1.)
9o to to
/
/ail to steal a chicken, which instead ate up your bait.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8ou1 'i1 bu4cheng2 !an3 shi1
yi1ba3 mi3.) 5ind o! li$e .(hoot 6our D%n =eet..
(tarting out to hurt others but ending u in being hurt.
A fall into a ditch, a gain in your wit.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chi1 yi2 3ian4 *hang3 yi2 *hi4.)
Peole learn !rom their mista$es.
/allen leaves return to the root.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1uo4ye4 gui1 gen4.) 7herever they are2
Chinese %ould li$e to return to their motherland in their senior ages.
/earing laws makes one happy every day" withholding truth from heaven
worries one all the time.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "u4 !a3 tian1 tian1 le42 3i1
tian1 ri4 ri4 you1.)
A feet can be shorter while an inch can be longer.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chi3 duan3 cun4 chang2.) Comared
%ith something longer2 a !eet may be shorter< comared %ith something shorter2 an
inch seems longer. 8hings are relative: everything has its merits and demerits.
/ifty steps laugh at a hundred steps.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 7u3 shi2 bu4 0iao4 yi1 bai3 bu4.)
+on-t gloat over others- mista$es %hile
you are ma$ing the same ones in a di!!erent !asion.
A fierce dog ruins a liquor store business.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9ou3 meng3 'iu3 suan1.) A once
success!ul li3uor store suddenly sees its business !altering: customers sto coming.
=inally the o%ner reali*es that it %as his !ierce dog that has scared them a%ay. A bad
comany may drive other !riends a%ay. Another dog;related roverb that does
in'ustice to the animal.
/ight poison with poison.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i3 du2 gong1 du2.) Ase the
oonent-s tactics to attac$ the oonent. (imilar to .=ight !ire %ith !ire..
/ighting a wolf with a fle! stalk - either side is afraid of the other.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #a2gan3 da3 lang2 ; liang3tou2
a4.) /ach arty is !ear!ul o! the other: the %ol!
thought the stal$ could be a !atal %eaon %hile the erson !ears the conse3uence o!
his tric$ seen through by the %ol!. Are you ever caught in a situation li$e this)
/ill in the eyes to a painted dragon.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hua4 long2 dian3 'ing1.) A !inishing
touch. ,t is said that a !amous Chinese ainter ainted !our dragons %ithout eyes.
7hen as$ed2 he e0lained that %ith eyes they %ould !ly a%ay. ,ncredulous2 his
!riends insisted on his !illing in the eyes. (ure enough2 as soon as the ainter added
eyes to t%o o! the dragons2 they started !lying a%ay. 8his roverb is most o!ten used
to describe a situation %here one %ho uses succinct remar$s to summari*e the gist
o! an article or a seech.
/ish a needle in the sea.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +a4 hai3 lao2 *hen1.) Probably you
have already thought o! the /nglish counterart: loo$ing !or a .needle in a
haystac$..
/ish cannot survive in absolutely clear water.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (hui3 *hi4 3ing1 *e2 %u2 yu2.)
Dne should not demand absolute urity
or er!ectness.
/ish for the moon in the water.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (hui3 *hong1 lao1 yue4.) ,t is a useless
attemt. A !ol$lore goes that a $ingdom o! mon$eys seeing the re!ection o! the moon
in a %ell thought it !ell into it. 8hey !ormed a mon$ey chain to !ish it2 only to !ind
that the moon %as still in the evening s$y.
/ish in muddled water.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hun2 shui3 mo1 yu2.) 8a$e the
advantage o! a con!used situation to ma$e ersonal gains.
A flea on the top of a bald head - it is only too apparent.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8u1*i tou2shang de
shi1*i ; ming2 bai3 *he de shi4.) A crane is too obvious %hen it stands
among a !loc$ o! chic$ens and loo$s very a%$%ard. ,t is also true %ith a camel
amidst a !loc$ o! shee and a !lea %hen it stands on to o! a hairless head. 8hey all
carry a e'orative tone: the thing that out stands others is something a%$%ard i! not
necessarily bad.
/lies never infest an egg without cracks.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Cang1ying2 bu4 ding1 %u2 !eng4
dan4.) Crac$ed eggs that yield odors are as
vulnerable to !lies as roblem children to gangs or bad comany.
A flower you plant may not necessarily bloom" but the seed of a tree you
happen to drop may grow into a forest.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6ou3 yi4 *ai1 hua1
hua1 bu4 $ai12 %u2 yi4 cha1 liu3 liu3 cheng2 yin1.) 8his irony haens o!ten in
real li!e. =or instance2 one-s souse may not be the s%eetheart one used to sent so
much time and energy to %oo. (ome discoveries and inventions haen in the same
manner: Coca Cola is !or one.
/lowers look different in different eyes.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9e4 hua1 ru4 ge4 yan3.) :eauty is in
the eye o! the beholder.
/lowing water never goes bad" door hubs never gather termites.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1iu2shui3 bu4 !u32 hu4shu1
bu2 du4.) ,t means that eole got to rene% their
$no%ledge not to stay behind. 8he /nglish .Rolling stone gathers no moss. has a
di!!erent meaning.
A flying moth throws itself into a fire.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =ei1 e2 tou2 huo3.)
8o say one is a !lying moth that thro%s
itsel! into a !ire is to say that he is loo$ing !or his o%n demise.
(+he /oolish 0ld %an( 1emoves a %ountain.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u2gong1 yi2 shan1.) 8he legend
goes that an old man %as leading his !amily in ic$ing a%ay at a mountain in !ront o!
his house. 7hen as$ed ho% he could accomlish this !eat2 the .=oolish Dld #an.
relied that i! his !amily %or$ed ceaselessly generation a!ter generation2 the
mountain %ould eventually be leveled. He said2 .An inch removed2 it has an inch
lesser.. 8his roverb %as once 3uoted by #ao 8se;tung to encourage the Chinese to
!ight the !ormidable "aanese invaders during 77,,. 8he moral is2 in dealing %ith a
seemingly very di!!icult tas$2 $ee on %or$ing at it %ithout !ear2 and you %ill
eventually succeed.
=or the !ull story2 lease read my boo$ Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales of
the Han Chinese2 to be ublished in sring 2>>F by 1ibraries Anlimited.
/orce tells weak from strong for a moment" truth tells right from wrong all
the time.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i4shi2
3iang2 ruo4 *ai4yu2 li42 %an4gu3 sheng4 !u4 *ai4yu2 li3.)

/orget the fishing gear as soon as the fish is caught.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +e2 yu2 %ang4 3uan2.)
(An annotation is available here.) =orget the means by %hich the end is
attained.
A fo! borrows the tiger#s might.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hu3 'ia3 hu3 %ei1.) A !o0 caught by a
tiger struc$ an idea o! survival. (he led the tiger to arade among the other animals2
%ho o! course scamered !or li!e as they sa% the tiger coming. 8he !o02 ho%ever2
made the tiger believe that the animals !eared her instead. As a result2 the tiger let
the !o0 go. 8he roverb says o! a %ea$er soul borro%ing a bigger one-s might to
accomlish something he can-t do other%ise.
=or a comlete story2 lease read my boo$ Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales
of the Han Chinese2 to be ublished in sring 2>>F by 1ibraries Anlimited.
/o!es grieve over the death of rabbits.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8u4 si3 hu2 bei1.) 8he roverb is used
derogatorily to re!er to the !orlornness that bad eole !eel uon learning the
mis!ortune o! their li$e.
A fragrant bloom is not necessarily a beautiful flower" an orator may not be
a crackerjack.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hua1 0iang1 bu4 yi2ding4 mei3li42
neng2 shuo1 bu4 yi2ding4 hui4 *uo4.) Action is
better than oration.
/ragments of fo! fur, sewn together, will make a robe.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "i2 ye4 cheng2 3iu2.) .#any a little
ma$es a mic$le..
A friend made is a road paved" an enemy created is a wall built.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "iao1 ge4
eng2you3 duo1 tiao2 lu42 shu4 ge4 di2ren2 duo1 du3 3iang2.) Ho% true:
!riends hel %hile eole you o!!end may turn out to be your liability. 7e should
ma$e more !riends than enemies.
A frog in a well shaft
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "ing3 di2 *hi1 %a1.) A !rog %ho lived in a
%ell all his li!e never $ne% %hat the real body o! %aters %as until a sea turtle told
him about it. 8his roverb re!ers to somebody %ho has a very narro%;minded vie%
o! %hat they see or thin$.
/ruits of the same tree have different tastes" children of the same mother
have various qualities.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i2 shu4 *hi1 guo3
you3 suan1 you3 tian22 yi1 mu3 *hi1 *i3 you3 yu2 you3 0ian2.)
9o to to
.
Proverbs Annotation And
Connotations
+he gate of charity is hard to open nor close" a guest is easy to invite but
hard to turn away.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (han4
men2 nan2 $ai12 shan4 men2 nan2 bi4. Ghao1 *hi1 *e2 lai22 tui1 *hi1 bu2 3u4.)
7hen o!!ering charity or hel2 be
cautious o! eole that may ta$e advantage o! you.
A girl apes her neighbor#s frowning.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +ong1shi1 0iao4 in4.) A beauty is
beauti!ul even %hen she %as sic$ and !ro%ned all day. A homely girl in her
neighborhood tried to ae her !ro%ning thin$ing that she could become retty but
instead made hersel! loo$ uglier.
.ive it to the 2angt3e that rambles east to the sea.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =u4 *hu1 dong1 liu2.) 7hen you
give something to the 6angt*e that brings it to the %aters2 then everything you have
been doing is in vain.
.ive one fish and he#s fed for only a day. +each one how to fish and he#ll be
free from hunger all his life.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin:
(hou4 ren2 yi3 yu2 *hi3 'iu4 yi1 shi2 *hi1 'i22 shou4 ren2 yi3 yu2 *e2 'ie3 yi1
sheng1 *hi1 0u1..) .9od hel those %ho hel
themselves.. 7ouldn-t be better to enable one to hel themselves)
A good fortune may forebode a bad luck, which may in turn disguise a good
fortune.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Huo4 0i1 !u2 suo3 yi12 !u2
0i1 huo4 suo3 yi1.) +o not over re'oice over good
!ortune and be over de'ected by a misha. 8here are al%ays the un!oreseeable turns
!or the better or %orse.
A governor may commit arson while the governed are not allowed to light a
lamp.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ghi3 0u3 *hou1guan1
!ang4 huo32 bu4 0u3 bai30ing4 dian3 ding1.) Dne may steal a horse %hile
another may not loo$ over the hedge. A bully may do %hatever he %ants but %on-t
bear the sight o! others doing a !raction o! %hat he is doing.
.ood will be rewarded with good and evil with evil" it is only a matter of
time.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (han4 e4 dao4
tou2 *hong1 you3 bao42 *hi3 deng3 lai2 *ao3 yu4 lai2 chi2.) .7hat goes around
comes around..
.uard against disgrace in times of favor" be prepared for danger in times of
safety.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +e2 chong3 si1 ru32 an1 'u1 si1
%ei1.)
9o to to
4
4armony makes both a family and a nation prosperous.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "ia1 he2 ri4*i4 %ang4<
guo2 he2 %an4 shi4 0ing1.)
4ave a mouth as sharp as a dagger but a heart as soft as tofu.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +ao1*i *ui3 dou4!u 0in1.)
/0tremely di!!iculty and dangerous
situation.
4ave one#s ears pierced only before the wedding ceremony starts.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1in2 shang4 'iao4 0ian4 *ha1
er3duo yan3r.) ,t is a criticism o! rocrastination. 1i$e a
bride %ho %aited till the last minute to get things done that should have been done
earlier. ,t also has the connotation that it might be too late to %ait till the last
minute.
4e who plays with fire may become its victim.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 7an2 huo3 *i4 !en2.) An evil doer
%ill eventually end u being unished.
4e who stays near vermilion gets stained red" he who stays near ink gets
stained black.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "in4 *hu1 *he3 chi42 'in4 mo4
*he3 hei1.) Dne ta$es on the color o! his comany.
4elp the needy but not the poor.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "iu4 'i2 bu4 'iu4 3iong2.) 8here are too
many oor eole to hel. 8hose %ho are in dire need are the ones that need your
hel the most.
A honeyed mouth hides a daggered heart.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 5ou3 mi4 !u4 'ian4.) :e%are o! this .$iss
o! death..
4idden dragons, crouching tigers.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Cang2 long2 %o4 hu3.) 7hen you say
some lace has .hidden dragons and crouching tigers. you mean that that lace has
able eole %ho are $et %illingly or un%illingly in a lo% ro!ile. 8he roverb is
usually used to advise eole not to ta$e a lace li$e that lightly.
4it a stone with an egg.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i3 luan3 tou2 shi2.) Dverrate one-s
o%er and gets de!eated because o! it.
4oning your hatchet will not delay your effort of wood cutting.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #o2 dao1 bu2 %u4 $an3 chai2
gong1.) ,t seems to ta$e some time to do a good
rearation !or doing2 but it ays o!! in the long run.
A horse cannot gain weight if not fed with e!tra fodder during the night" a
man cannot become wealthy without earnings apart from his regular
salaries.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #a3 %u2 ye4 cao3 bu4
!ei22 ren2 %u2 %ai4 $uai4 bu2 !u4.) Dne needs to !ind income beyond his
regular salary. 8his roverb is o!ten used by those %ho try to 'usti!y their e!!orts to
get more %ealth through unla%!ul means.
4ow can you e!pect to find ivory in a dog#s mouth*
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9ou3 *ui3li3 tu3 bu1 chu1
0iang4ya2.) 8rue2 that is an imossibility. 8he
connotation is you can not e0ect eole o! evil intent to utter anything good. :y the
%ay2 in the Chinese culture2 dogs are almost al%ays negative in allusions.
4ow can you put out a fire set on a cart-load of firewood with only a cup of
water*
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :ei1 shui3 che1 0in1.) ,t is useless
to aly minor remedies to a ma'or roblem.
9o to to
)
)f a son is uneducated, his dad is to blame.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Gi3 bu2 'iao42 !u4 *hi1 guo4.)
Parents are imortant in their $ids-
education.
)f the lips are gone, the teeth will grow cold.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chun2 %ang2 chi3 han2.) 8%o arties
share a common interest. ,! one is hurt2 the other %ill2 too.
)f you do not study hard when young you#ll end up bewailing your failures
as you grow up.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (hao4 0iao3 bu4 nu3li42
lao3 da4 tu2 shang1bei1.) Ased to encourage children to study hard.
)f you have never done anything wrong, you should not be worrying about
devils to knock at your door.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 7u2 shi4 bu2 a4 gui3 'iao4 men2.)
(ame as .)f you have not done
anything evil, you should not worry too much.: the goodHregular al%ays
over%helms the badHirregular though in real li!e it is not necessarily so.
An image of a bamboo has already been formed in mind before it is
committed to the painting canvas.
(Chinese original: or Chinese Pinyin: &iong1 you3 cheng2 *hu22 or
Cheng2 *hu2 *ai4 0iong1.) Dne is certain about something to
haen. ,ncidentally2 it %as said that there %as once a translator %ho translated the
roverb %ord !or %ord as .a bamboo stic$ in the bosom. that made himsel! a
laughing stoc$.
)n face of evil, one would rather be a jade broken than a brick intact.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =eng2 'ian1 ning4 $e3
yu4 sui42 3i4 *heng4 bu4 3iu2 %a3 3uan2.) Dne %ould rather die than
surrender.
An inch of time is an inch of gold, but an inch of time cannot be purchased
for an inch of gold.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 cun4
guang1yin1 yi1 cun4 'in1< cun4 'in1 nan2 mai3 cun4 guang1yin1.) +isregard the
di!!erent use o! unit %ords describing nouns in di!!erent cultures. 8his roverb tells
the truth that time is more valuable than money. #oney sent or lost can be earned<
time lost is lost !or good. @o money can buy it bac$. 8he motto is that %e got to
ma$e good use o! our time.
)t does not matter if your tavern sits in a remote location so long as the
smell of your wine is appealing.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "iu3 0iang1 bu2 a4 0iang4*i
shen1.) (uerb 3uality o! your roduct or service
comensates !or other shortcomings.
)t is better to start weaving your fishing nets than merely coveting fish at
the water.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 1in2 yuan1 mu4 yu22 bu4
ru2 tui4 er3 'ie2 %ang3.) Dne should act than daydream.
)t is easy to dodge a spear that comes in front of you but hard to avoid an
arrow shot from behind.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #ing2 3iang1 yi4 duo32 an4
'ian4 nan2 !ang2.) ,t is easier to guard against the obvious.
)t is impossible to add much weight with a single morsel" it is hard to travel
afar with a single step.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i4 $ou3 chi1 bu1
cheng2 ang4*i32 yi2 bu4 $ua4 bu2 dao4 tian1 bian1.) Dne can-t e0ect success
overnight. Ased to encourage eole to %or$ hard instead o! see$ing an imossible
shortcut.
)t is too late for a galloping horse to stop at a clip" it is useless for a sinking
boat to be mended in the middle of a river.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #a3 dao4
0uan2ya2 shou1 'iang1 %an32 chuan2 dao4 'iang10in1 bu3 lou4 chi2.) Asually it is to
advise eole to 3uit bad habbits and behaviors be!ore it is too late.
)t takes three years to learn to be a man of integrity" it only takes three
days to degrade.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: &ue2 hao3 san1nian22 0ue2
huai4 san1tian1.) ,t is much easier to become corruted.
9o to to
5
A jade stone is useless before it is processed" a man is good-for-nothing
until he is educated.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u4 bu4 *huo1 bu4
cheng2 3i42 ren2 bu2 'iao4 nan2 cheng2 cai2.) ,t is an emhasis on the need o!
education.
9o to to
6
1eturn the jewelry but keep the bo!.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #ai3 du2 huan2 *hu1.) 7hoever does
this must lac$ 'udgment2 areciating things o! lesser value.
6ill a chicken before a monkey.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (ha1 'i1 gei3 hou2 $an4.) 8o %arn the
many by unishing a !e%.
6ill a hen to get the egg.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (ha1 'i1 3u3 l?an3.) (ame as above.
6ill one to warn a hundred.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (ha1 yi1 'ing3 bai3.) 8o %arn the
many by unishing a !e%.
6ill two vultures with one arrow.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 'ian4 shuang1 diao1.) BC5ill t%o
birds %ith one stone.BC
9o to to
'
'earn from other#s strong points to offset one#s shortcomings.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 4u3 chang2 bu3 duan3.)
'earning how the 4andan residents walk.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Han2dan1 0ue2 bu4.) A man hated
the %ay he %al$ed and decided to learn ho% eole in the city o! Handan carried
themselves. 8he result %as2 ho%ever2 not only did he !ail to learn the ne% style2 but
he also !orgot his o%n %ay o! %al$ing. He could only but cra%l bac$ to his hometo%n
and became a laughing stoc$. 8he moral is that one should use critical thin$ing
rather than blindly !ollo%ing others- models. Coying others %ithout alying %hat is
use!ul to one-s ractical needs can only ma$e things %orse.
A life with love is happy" a life for love is foolish.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (heng1huo2 you3 ai4
0ing4!u22 %ei4 ai4 sheng1huo2 yu2chun3.)
'ift a stone only to drop on your own feet.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :an13i3 shi2tou2 *a2 *i4'i3 de
'iao3.) ,sn-t it similar to .Shoot your gun at your
own foot.)
'ike neither a donkey nor a horse.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =ei1 l?2 !ei1 ma3.) ,! something one has
created is li$e neither animals2 then it must be something a%$%ard and laughable.
'ike ants gnawing at a bone.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: #a3yi3 $en3 gu2tou2.) A metahor
describing a situation %here eole trying an over%helmingly big tas$ by doing bit by
bit %ith erseverance.
'ike bamboo shoots after rain.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u3 hou4 chun1 sun3.) 9ro% li$e
mushrooms.
'iving at a river, one comes to know the nature of the fish therein" $welling
by a mountain, one learns to recogni3e the language of the birds thereupon.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: "in4 shui3 *hi1 yu2 0ing42
'in4 shan1 shi2 niao3 yin1.) =amiliarity and vicinity breed more
understanding.
A long march starts from the very first step.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 4ian1li3 *hi1 0ing2 shi3 yu2 *u2
0ia4.) (uccess does not come !rom nothing2
instead it comes !rom concrete hard %or$.
+he longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6e4 chang2 meng4 duo1.) 8he longer %e
stay in a disadvantageous osition2 the more ris$s %e-ll ta$e.
'ook at a leopard through a pipe.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9uan3 *hong1 $ui4 bao4.) 6ou can add
to the rest through your imagination. 8his roverb means that one can tell the
entirety by loo$ing at art o! it. @ote2 it has a commendatory rather than a
derogatory connotation.
'ooking for a donkey on its very back.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 4i2 l?2 *hao3 l?2.) 1oo$ing !or
something as i! it %ere missing %hile it is 'ust under one-s nose.
'ord 2e#s professed love of dragons turned into his worst fear.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6e4gong1 hao4 long2.) A 1ord 6e
ro!essed that he loved dragons. 8o rove it2 he dre% dragons every%here. 7hen
the real dragons aid him a visit2 he %as scared to death. Dne may not do %hat he
claims to be interested in doing.
+he lotus root may be severed, but its fibered threads are still connected.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Du3 duan4 si1 lian2.) (omething
aarently severed but actually connected2 such as a human relationshi..
'ove my house, love the crow on it.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ai4 %u1 'i2 %u1.) 8he cro% may be
ugly2 but love it i! your really love my house. A close /nglish counterart o! this
roverb is .1ove me2 love my dog..
'ure a tiger out of its mountain.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +iao4 hu3 li2 shan1.) 1ure an
enemy out o! its %ell de!ended base to annihilate it. 8his is one o! (un*i-s thirty;si0
strategems in his Art of War.
9o to to
%
%ake a decision when a decision is called for. 4esitation only brings
disaster.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +ang1 duan4 bu2 duan42 !an3
shou4 3i2 luan4.)
A man#s greed is like a snake that wants to swallow an elephant.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Een2 0in1 bu4 *u2 she2 tun1
0iang4.) 6ou can never tell %hat one really thin$s.
(incerity sho%s through one-s actions rather than %ords and aearance.
A man#s heart is indiscernible behind his chest.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Een2 0in1 ge2 du4 i2.)
(A similar roverb: 2ou may know someone by his appearance, but you may
never know what he thinks. : Ghi1 ren2 *hi1 mian4 bu4 *hi1 0in1.)
6ou can never tell %hat one really thin$s.
(incerity sho%s through one-s actions rather than %ords and aearance.
A man of honor will feel ashamed by a single question to which he does not
know the answer.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 shi4 bu4 *hi12 'un1*i3 *hi1
chi3.) 8his is to encourage eole to learn
everything he can and be ashamed at not $no%ing even one bit o! %hat they have
learned.
A mantis stalking a cicada is unaware of an oriole behind.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8ang2lang2 bu3 chan22
huang23ue4 *ai4 hou4.) 7hile coveting gains ahead2 one should
be a%are o! the danger behind.
%aking a thousand decisions, even the wise will make a mistake.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ghi4*he3 3ian1 l?42 bi4 you3 yi1
shi1.) Homer sometimes nods.
%arking the Boat to &eek 0ne#s &word.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 5e4 *hou1 3iu2 'ian4.) A man
droed his s%ord into the river !rom a boat. He ma$e a mar$ on the side o! the
boat and began to !ish the s%ord %hen the boat %as in shore. D! course his e!!ort
%as to no avail. 8his is to satiri*e those %ho ta$e actions %ithout regard to changes
in circumstances.
A melon forced off its vine is not sweet.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 4iang2 niu3 de gua1 bu4 tian2.)
.6ou can lead a horse to the %ater2 but
you can-t ma$e it drin$.. =or that matter2 a !orced marriage is not hay and
e0amles can be listed endlessly.
%end the pen only after the sheep are all gone.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 7ang2 yang2 bu3 lao2.) (ome say it is
too late. (ome say2 %ell2 i! you learn a lesson2 it is not necessarily late: no more
shee %ill !lee. ,t is better than i! you leave the en bro$en at all. 8here!ore eole
use the roverb to either urose.
A minimal error at the start leads to a wide divergence in the distance.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Cha4 *hi1 hao2 li22 miu4 yi3
3ian1 li3.) As in the launch o! a roc$et2 a small error
can lead to a serious result.
%istaking the reflection of a bow in a cup for a snake.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: :ei1 gong1 she2 ying3.) A guest got
sic$ a!ter he %as scared by %hat he had seen in a %ine vessel at his !riend-s home.
8he sna$e he had seen %as actually the shado% o! a bo% hanging on the %all. 8his
roverb as$s us not to scare ourselves %ith something %e don-t $no%.
+he more you try to cover things up, the more e!posed they will be.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 6u4 gai4 mi2 *hang1.)
A mountain of knives and a sea of fire.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: +ao1 shan1 huo3 hai3.) /0tremely
di!!iculty and dangerous situation.
A mouse-catching dog steps on the cats# paws.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 9ou3 na2 hao4*i4 ;; duo1
guan3 0ian2shi4.) +esite the !act that dogs do catch mice2
eole still believe that is the business o! cats-. 8here!ore2 this roverb re!ers to
someone %ho is too in3uisitive and cares about things that are none o! his business.
A mouse#s vision is an inch long.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (hu3 mu4 cun4 guang1.) ,! one has
such .vision2. he sees only short;term bene!its that may 'eoardi*e long;term
interests.
9o to to
7
7ever harbor the intent to victimi3e others" but never let guard down
against being victimi3ed.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Hai4 ren2 *hi1 0in1
bu4 $e3 you32 !ang2 ren2 *hi1 0in1 bu4 $e3 %u2.)
7o banquet in the world that never ends.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 8ian10ia4 mei2you3 bu4 san4
de yan40i2.) @othing in the %orld is eternal.
=riendshi2 relations and a good time are no e0cetions
7otoriety travels farther away.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chou4ming2 yuan3 yang2.)
7o wind, no waves.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: 7u2 !eng1 bu4 3i3 lang4.) Ho%
about .There is no fire without smoke..) 8he assumtion here is that rumors may
have some grounds.
9o to to
0
0f all the thirty-si! stratagems, to know when to quit is the best.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: (an1;shi2 liu4 'i42 *ou3 %ei2
shang4 ce4.) 8he literary translation o! the original is
"Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best." .8he Thirty-Six Stratagems.
are believed to have covered almost all the military strategic thin$ing (un Gi2
another greatest military strategist in ancient Chinese history2 e0ounded in his
thirteen chater monograh2 %hich has been regarded as the bible o! the military in
Chinese history and has no% been seen very use!ul in business in Asia as %ell.
0n the same boat in a tempest.
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: =eng1 yu3 tong2 *hou1.) 9oing
through hardshis together.
0nce bitten by a snake, one is scared all his life at the mere sight of a rope.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 nian2 *ao1 she2 yao32 shi2 nian2
a4 'ing3 sheng2.) A %ord by %ord translation o! the original
is "Bitten by a snake this year, hell be s!are" of well ro#es in the next ten." ,n days
%hen eole had to dra% %ater !rom %ells instead o! getting it !rom the tab2 roes2
%hich bear resemblance in aearance to sna$es2 %ere a disensable utility. 8he
roverb decries those %ho are discouraged by their !irst !ailure and are a!raid o!
trying again.
0nce a tree falls, the monkeys on it will scatter.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: (hu4 dao3 hu2sun1 san4.) 7hen a
erson o! in!luence lost his !avor2 those associated %ith him %ill abandon him.
0nce on a tiger#s back, it is hard to alight.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 4i2 hu3 nan2 0ia4.) Dnce you ta$e on a
thorny tas$2 you-ll !ind it hard to get rid o! it
0ne bee makes no honey" one grain makes no rice soup.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))6i4*hi1 !eng1 niang4 bu4 cheng2 mi4< yi4$e1 mi3
ao2 bu4 cheng2 *hou2.) An individual-s e!!ort is limited.
0ne cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 6in1 ye4 !ei4 shi2.) 6ou can-t re!use to
do the thing you need to 'ust because there is a slight chance to !ail.
0ne failure leads to another" so does success.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 sun3 'u4 sun32 yi1 rong2 'u4
rong2.) ,t is usually true among eole %ho
share the same interest and lot.
0ne dog snarls at a shadow" a hundred howl at each other89s barking.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 3uan3 !ei4 sheng12 bai3 3uan3 !ei4
sheng1.) :lindly !ollo% a trend %ithout even
$no%ing %hat it is.
0ne justice can overpower a hundred evils.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 *heng4 ya1 bai3 0ie2.) 7e al%ays
believe in the o%er o! 'ustice.
0ne monk shoulders water by himself" two can still share the labor between
them. :hen it comes to three, they have to go thirsty.
(Chinese original: )))))))2)))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i2ge4 he2shang4 tiao1
shui3 he12 liang3ge4 he2shang4 tai2 shui3 he12 san1ge4 he2shang4 mei2 shui3
he1.) ,t is a scenario %here lac$ o! individual
initiative could breed deendence uon each other so that the more eole the lesser
things are done.
0ne never comes to pray in the +emple of +hree +reasures if he is not in
trouble.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 7u2 shi4 bu1 deng1 san1bao3dian4.)
7hen someone %ho rarely contacts you
suddenly comes to you and you $no% %hat he is come to2 you %ill say this to
yoursel!.
0ne palm makes no applause" one actor finds it hard to performs a drama.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i2ge4 ba1*hang3 ai1 bu4
0iang3< yi2ge4 ren2 nan2 chang4 du2ban30i4.) 8his is an admonishment against
both arties in a disute: the disute %ould be imossible %ithout either arty.
0ne89s skills are his ine!haustible treasure keeping him from hunger
wherever he goes.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: (hou3yi4 shi4 huo2bao32 tian10ia4 e4
bu4 dao3.)
((imilar roverb is 0ne89s skills never weigh him down: ))))2 Chinese Pinyin:
6i4 bu4 ya1 shen1) Ased to encourage eole to ac3uire
more s$ills so that they can al%ays be mar$etable.
0ne thing well done is a hundred done" one thing that fails dooms the rest.
(Chinese original: )))2)))<)))2))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 shi4 'ing12 bai3 shi4 'ing1< yi1
%u2 cheng32 bai3 %u2 cheng2.) ,! one is caable o! accomlishing one
thing2 he is li$ely to accomlish many more or vice versa.
0ne who knows the limit knows true happiness.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghi1 *u2 *he3 chang2 le4.) ,nsatiability is
the source o! unhainess as one can never !eel satis!ied.
0ne who walks along a river frequently cannot avoid getting his shoes wet.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: Chang2 *ai4 he2bian1 *ou32 na3
neng2 bu4 shi1 0ie2.) ,t haens.
0ne89s own meat dishes are not as delicious as other89s vegetarian ones.
(Chinese original: ))))))2)))))))Chinese Pinyin: Gi4 'ia1 de rou4 bu4 0iang12
ren2'ia2 de cai4 you3 %ei4.) Dne is al%ays ungrate!ul !or one already
has.
0ne89s son is clever while the neighbor is suspicious.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghi4 *i3 yi2 lin2.) DneBIs 'udgment is
marred by his emotions. 8he story behind this roverb goes li$e this. A man o!
%ealth !ound a %all o! his house damaged by a heavy rain. His son %arned him
against the!t i! he rocrastinated its reair. #ean%hile2 a neighbor gave him the
same %arning. (ure enough2 the house %as bro$en in that night. +esite the same
%arning2 the man o! %ealth thought o! his son as intelligent %hile aroached the
neighbor as a susect o! the crime.
0nly when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghong4ren2 shi2 chai2 huo3yan4 gao1.)
Another %ay o! saying .$nite" an" we
!an stan" strong..
An overcrowded chicken farm produce fewer eggs.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: "i1 duo1 bu2 0ia4 dan42 ren2 duo1
da3 0ia1 luan4.) (cienti!ically2 it may not be true. :ut the
connotation o! this roverb is that %hen too many eole try to do one thing2 it
roves less e!!icient. A similar /nglish roverb goes: .The more the eggs, the worse
the hat!h..
9o to to
;
;aper can#t wrap up a fire.
(Chinese original: )))))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghi3 li3 bao1 bu2 *hu4 huo3.) Ho%
true: it %ill burn it sel! out as truth %ill eventually reveals itsel! desite cover us.
;ass off a fish eye for a pearl.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 6u2 mu4 hun4 *hu1.) (ell2 use or resent
the !a$e or sham instead o! the genuine.
;ass oneself off as one of the 2u pipe players in an ensemble.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 1an4 yu2 chong1 shu4.) Hold a ost
%ithout ade3uate 3uali!ications.
;erseverance can reduce an iron rod to a sewing needle.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: 8ie3 chu3 mo2 cheng2 *hen1.)
1egend goes that young 1i :ai2 %ho later
became one o! the most reno%ned 8ang oet in Chinese literary history2 %as tired o!
reading and %andered out. At a riverside he sa% an elderly %oman honing an iron
rod. 7hen he learned that the %oman %as trying to reduce the rod to a se%ing
needle2 he %as astonished. ,n relay to his doubt!ul 3uery2 the %oman said that so
long as she ersevered in %or$ing at it2 it %ould eventually become a needle. 1i :ai
learned the moral and began studying hard. And you)
A person cannot be judged by his appearance in the same token as the sea
cannot be measured with a bucket.
(Chinese original: )))))2)))))))Chinese Pinyin: Een2 bu4$e3 mao4 0iang4<
hai3shui3 bu4$e3 dou3 liang2.) Aearance is deceiving: youBIll never
$no% ho% caable andHor ho% o%er!ul he may be.
A person moves up while water runs down.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: Een2 %ang3 gao1 chu4 *ou32 shui3
%ang3 di1 chu4 liu2.) Dne should never give u e!!orts to
imrove onesel!2 %hether morally or !inancially.
(As rare as ) phoeni! feather and unicorn horns.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: =eng4 mao2 lin2 'iao3.) According to
Chinese legends2 hoeni0-s !eather and unicorn-s horns are the rarest things one can
!ind in the %orld.
;ick up a sesame seed only to lose a watermelon.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: "ian3 le *hi1ma22 diu1 le 0i1gua1.)
Concentrate on small matters to the
e0ense o! more imortant ones.
;lay a harp before a cow.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: +ui4 niu2 tan2 3in2.) (imilar to .%ast
#earls to a swine..
;luck flowers as they bloom" wait and you#ll have only the twigs.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: Hua1 $ai1 $an1 *he2 *hi2 0u1
*he22 mo4 dai4 %u2 hua1 $ong1 *he2 *hi1.) (tri$e the iron %hile it is hot. (ei*e
the oortunity that comes by< do not %ait till it is gone.
;oint at the mulberry and abuse the pagoda tree.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghi3 sang1 ma4 huai2.) 8his is very
subtle: the abuser tries to ma$e his or her abuse !elt by the abused and yet hoes to
get a%ay %ith it by retending to abuse someone or something else. =or instance2
%hen a $id got into a !ight %ith another in the neighborhood2 the arent o! the $id
intervened retending to scold her o%n child but the vitueration %as actually meant
!or the neighbor-s child.
;ouring water from above the roof of a tall building.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 9ao1 %u1 'ian4 ling2.) ,! someone can our
%ater !rom the to o! a roo!2 he is in an e0tremely advantageous osition.
;rescribe the right medicine for a symptom.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: +ui4 *heng4 0ia4 yao4.) 8a$e the right
measures to tac$le a roblem to achieve the best result.
;resent Buddha with borrowed flowers.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: "ie4 hua1 0ian4 !o2.) 6ou say ., am
resenting :uddha %ith borro%ed !lo%ers. to someone %ith %hom you resent a gi!t
that someone else has given to you. ,t is a humorous %ay o! mitigating the
a%$%ardness. 6ou get a%ay easily as you comare the receiver o! the gi!t to
:uddha2 %hich sho%s a lot o! resect albeit its lac$ o! seriousness.
;ut one person#s hat on another#s head.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghang1 guan1 li3 dai4.) Con!use one
thing %ith another.
;utting out a fire while holding firewood.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: :ao4 0in1 'iu4 huo3.) ,t only made the !ire
%orse. ,mroer solution o! a roblem does not solve but instead aggravate the
roblem.
9o to to
1
1abbits do not eat the grass around their burrows.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 8u4*i bu4 chi1 %o1bian1 cao3.) 8he
roverb is used derogatorily. ,t is believed that a villain usually does not harm his
neighbors.
1ead critically, and you will find each word worth a thousand ounces of
gold.
(Chinese original: 2) )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: +u2 shu1 0u1 yong4 yi42 yi1 *i4
*hi2 3ian1 'in1.)
1egular feet can#t be affected by irregular shoes.
(Chinese original: )))))))Chinese Pinyin: "iao3 *heng4 bu2 a4 0ie2 %ai1.) (ame
as .)f you have not done anything evil, you should not worry too much.: the
goodHregular al%ays over%helms the badHirregular though in real li!e it is not
necessarily
1ein in a horse at the edge of a cliff.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: &uan2ya2 le4 ma3.) 7a$en u to a
danger at the last moment.
1emove firewood from under a pot.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: =u3 di3 chou1 0in1.) (olve a roblem
thoroughly.
1eshape one#s feet to fit into new shoes.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: &ue1 *u2 shi4 l?3.) 8he logic should be
the other %ay round. 6et2 in li!e there are eole %ho try to sacri!ice the big !or the
small2 the imortant !or the trivial.
&teer one#s boat where the winds lead.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 5an4 !eng1 shi3 duo4.) 8his roverb
critisi*es the oortunists %ho ma$e their decisions according to di!!erent situations.
A resourceful man knows to avoid a disadvantageous situation close at
hand.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: Hao3 han4 bu4 chi1 yan33ian2 $ui1.)
An unreared con!rontation %ill only end
u in one-s de!eat. ,n that situation2 avoid it
1espect out of fear is never genuine" reverence out of respect is never false.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: +a3 a4 de ren2 shi4 'ia3 de<
'ing4 a4 de ren2 shi4 *hen1 de.)
1iddance of evil must be thorough.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Chu2 e4 %u4 'in4.)
1uthlessness is key to a man#s accomplishment.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: 7u2 du2 bu4 *hang4!u1.) An!ortunately
history roves it to be true again and again2 articularly among statesmen and
oliticians.
9o to to
&
&ail when there is favorable wind" strike it when the iron is hot.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: &ing2 chuan2 chen4 shun4!eng1<
da3tie3 chen4 hong2huo3.)
&cholars are invaluable to a nation as the best course to a banquet.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: (hi4 *he3 guo2 *hong1 bao32 ru2
%ei2 0i2 shang4 *hen1.)
&cratching an itch from outside the boot.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 9e2 0ue1 sao1 yang3.) 8o scratch one-s itch
%ith boots on is to attemt a very ine!!ective solution to a roblem.
&eek fish on a tree.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 6uan2 mu4 3iu2 yu2.) Aarently it is a
!ruitless e!!ort.
&eeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.
(Chinese original: )))))))Chinese Pinyin: :ai3 %en2 bu4 ru2 yi2 'ian4.) (eeing
is believing.
&end charcoal in a snow storm.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: &ue3 li3 song4 tan4.) D!!er hel %hen hel
is needed.
&hed no tears until seeing the coffin.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: :u2 'ian4 guan1cai2 bu2 luo4 lei4.)
((imilar roverb: @ot giving u until one reaches the 6ello% Eiver. ))))))): :u2
dao4 Huang2he2 bu4 si30in1.) 7ill not give u an inevitably losing battle
until the last minute. ,t is a burles3ue o! the stubbornness and stuidity o! eole
%ho %ould not sto until it is too late
&hoot at someone#s shadow with sand.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Han2 sha1 she4 ying3.) A !airytale
goes that a monster named 6u can ma$e a erson sic$ by shooting his shado% %ith
sand it ic$ed u !rom a river bed. ,! a erson is said to do the tric$2 he is trying to
!rame someone %hile hiding himsel! in the dar$.
A single merit cannot make a hundred demerits fade" a hundred merits
cannot hide a single demerit.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i4 hao3 *he1 bu4 liao3 bai3
chou3< bai3 hao3 *he1 bu4 liao3 yi4 chou3.)
A single tree makes no forest" one string makes no music.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: +u2 mu4 bu4 cheng2 lin22 dan1 0ian3
bu4 cheng2 yin1.) 8his roverb illustrates the signi!icance o!
team %or$
&mash the pots and sink the boats.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Po4 !u3 chen2 *hou1.) ,t is said o! a
historical battle during the 4in dynasty. +uring an o!!ensive march2 a general
ordered his men to smash their coo$ing ots and sin$ the boats %ith %hich they
crossed the river2 ma$ing it clear that retreating %as no longer an otion. 7hen
someone claims he is going to do this !iguratively2 he is determined to carry out his
tas$ till it is !inished no matter %hat.
A smile woth a thousand ounces of gold.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 4ian1 'in1 mai3 0iao4.) 6ou describe a smile
that is hard to come by as .a smile urchased !or a thousand ounces o! gold.. 8here
is a tragic story behind this roverb. ,n JK> :.C.2 Prince 6ou o! the Ghou (tate
ac3uired a beauti!ul concubine named :ao (i2 %ho un!ortunately had a o$er !ace.
A!ter many a !rustrating trial to %ring a smile !rom her2 a minister came u %ith an
idea. He suggested that Prince 6ou start the signal !ire on #ount 1i. 8he !ire %as
suosed to be used to call !or hel !rom the armies stationed a%ay !rom the caital
city in case o! an enemy attac$. 8rous o! the tributary countries all rushed to Prince
6ou-s rescue. 7hen they learned that it %as only a 'o$e2 the generals and troos %as
at a loss2 not $no%ing to cry or to laugh. (eeing the a%$%ard e0resssions on their
!aces2 :ao (i bro$e into a smile. Prince Ghou %as so hay to see her smile that he
a%arded the minister %ith a thousand tael o! gold. :ut the real rice the rince had
to ay later %as his o%n li!e. 7hen the real eneny attac$ed2 he could no longer
summon his armies %ith the signal !ires2 !or they all thought that he %as crying %ol!.
Conse3uently his state %as ransac$ed and he himsel! sucumbed to the enemy-s
s%ord.
A smile makes you ten years younger.
(Chinese original: )))2))))Chinese Pinyin: 0iao4 yi2 0iao42 shi2 nian2 shao4.)
A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: "iao3 tu4 san1 $u1.) 8o succeed one must
have several alternatives.
&o long as the green mountains are preserved, there will be no shortage of
firewood supply.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: 1iu2 de2 3ing1 shan1 *ai42 bu2 a4
mei2 cai2 shao1.) Ased to encourage a erson not to give
u in !ace o! great disaster or desair. 8he .green mountain. re!ers to the erson
himsel!. (o long as he is o$2 he can rebuild everything.
&ome prefer carrot while others like cabbage.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: 1uo2bo1 bai2cai42 ge4 you3 suo3 ai4.)
.Dne man-s meat is another-s oison..
Peole-s re!erences di!!er.
A speck on a jade stone won#t obscure its radiance.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: &ia2 bu4 yan3 yu4.) A shortcoming %ill
not %rite o!! one-s merits.
A spectator sees more than a player in the heat of a game.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: +ang1 'u2 *he3 mi2.) 8he third arty
usually has a better ersective than those deely involved in a transaction.
&teal a bell with one#s ears plugged.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 6an3 er3 dao4 ling2.) A bell is suosed to
be ringing %hen moved and alert the o%ner. 8he the!t here thought i! he covered u
his o%n ears2 no one else in the %orld %ill hear it either. 8hat is stuid. (ure. 8his
roverb is 'ust to moc$ someone %ho ta$es it !or granted that i! he thin$s others do
not $no% %hat he is doing and they %ould surely do not $no% it.
&teal beams and replace them with poles.
(Chinese original:)))))Chinese Pinyin: 8ou1 liang2 huan4 *hu4.) ,n so doing2
the devious contractors are eretrating a !raud. 8he roverb is also e0tended to any
decetion involving the relacement o! one thing %ith another.
&tir the grass and alert the snake.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: +a3 cao3 'ing1 che2.) An imrudent act
can alert the enemy be!ore the right moment comes.
&urvive the 5aw of a +iger.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Hu3 $ou3 yu2 sheng1.) (urvive great
di!!iculties2 dangers and illness.
&wallow a date with its stone.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Hu2lun2 tun1 *ao3.) 7hen someone does
this2 he is said to read %ithout understanding.
9o to to
+
+ears cannot put out a fire.
(Chinese original: )))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6an3lei4 'iu4 bu4 liao3 huo3.)
7ea$ness %ill lead to no%here.
+en years of oblivion in school may bring you fame overnight.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: (hi2 nian2 han2 chuang1 %u2
ren2 %en42 yi4 'u3 cheng2 ming2 tian1 0ia4 *hi1.) Ased to encourage eole
to study hard.
+here#s no insurmountable %ount of /lames.
(Chinese original: ))))))))))Chinese Pinyin: #ei2 you3 guo4 bu1 3u4 de
huo3yan4shan1.) 8here are no insurmountable di!!iculties.
+hree humble shoemakers brainstorming make a great statesman.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: (an1ge4 chou4 i2'iang42 cou4 ge4
Ghu1ge3 1iang4.) 8he literary translation o! the original is
"Three smelly leather shoemakers #ut together !an be !ounte" as a &huge 'iang"2
%ho %as one o! the greatest statesman as %ell as a military strategist in ancient
Chinese history.
+here are always ears on the other side of the wall.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 9e2 3iang2 you3 er3.) :e %ary o!
eavesdroing any%here anytime.
+here is no silver here< three hundred taels.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: Ci3 di4 %u2 yin2 san1bai3 liang3.)
(ounds arado0ical) 8rue. Dnce uon a
time2 there %ere a coule2 %ho got three hundred taels o! silver2 a big sum o!
currency. 7orried that their money %ould be stolen2 they decided to bury them in a
'ar behind their house. =or !ear that they might !orget %here they hid them2 they ut
u a sign saying .8here is no money here: three hundred taels.. 8he result2 o!
course2 is only too aarent. 8his roverb is to tease those %ho say or do things
blatantly sel! contradictory and conse3uently become an ob'ect o! ridicule.
+hick branches and big leaves.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Cu1 *hi1 da4 ye4.) 8o say is .8hic$
branches and big leaves. is to accuse him o! being careless2 !ailing to attend to
details.
A thief cries (&top thief=(.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Gei2 han3 *huo1 *ei2.) 8his is a loy
criminals o!ten use to divert the attention o! investigators.
+hings will develop in the opposite direction when they become e!treme.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 7u4 'i2 bi4 !an3.) 8he endulum is also
s%ing bac$ and !orth.
+hose who play with fire may become its victims.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 7an2 huo3 *i4 !en2.) An evil doer %ill
eventually end u being unished.
+hrow in a rock as someone is drowning in the well.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 1uo4 'ing3 0ia4 shi2.) Attac$ someone
%hile he is already in trouble or di!!iculty. ,t is li$e .hitting one %hen he is do%n..
+hrow out a brick to attract a jade.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Pao1 *huan1 yin3 yu4.) 8his is a Chinese %ay
o! sho%ing modesty. 7hen one tries to o!!er an oinion2 he claims that his is but a
commonlace one and %ith it he hoes that others may come u %ith better ideas.
+hunder is louder than the little rain warrants.
(Chinese original: )))2))))Chinese Pinyin: 1ei2 sheng1 da42 yu3 dian3 0iao3.)
#ore %ords than action.
A tiger#s head and a snake#s tail.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Hu3 tou2 she2 %ei3.) A good beginning
%ith a lousy ending.
A tiger never returns to his prey he did not finish off.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 1ao3hu3 bu4 chi1 hui2tou2shi2.) =or
!ear that he may have e0osed his trace2 he %ill not ta$e the ris$ o! being caught in
ma$ing the same tri a second time. A clever thie! %ould not sho% u in the same
sot soon again.
+oday89s beneficiary is the incarnation of his pree!isting well-doer" the fate
of one89s ne!t e!istence lies in his e!istence today.
(Chinese original: ))))) )))))< ))))) ))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6ao4 *hi1 3ian2 shi4
yin12 'in1 sheng1 shou4 *he3 shi4< yao4 *hi1 hou4 shi4 guo32 'in1 sheng1 *uo4 *he3
shi4.) 7hat goes around comes around. +oing
good %ill bene!it yoursel! eventually. Dther%ise youBIll get comeuance.
+rees have already been made into a boat.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: #u4 yi3 cheng2 *hou1.)
((imilar roverb: Eice is already coo$ed. ))))): (heng1 mi3 *hu3 cheng2 !an4.)
7hat is done cannot be undone.
+he trees want to remain quiet, but the wind will not stop.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: (hu4 yu4 'ing4 er3 !eng1 bu4 *hi3.)
8rouble is bre%ing in the samblance o!
eace.
+o enjoy a grander sight, climb to a greater height.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6u4 3iong2 3ian1li3 mu42 geng4
shang4 yi4 ceng2 lou2.) 8o ma$e a greater achievement on the
basis o! revious successes.
+urn iron (or stone) into gold by the touch.
(Chinese original: )))) or )))))Chinese Pinyin: +ian3 tie3 cheng2 'in12 or +ian3 shi2
cheng2 'in1.) 8o say one can turn iron into gold by the
touch is to describe him as having suerb editing s$ills that can turn a mediocre %or$
into a masteriece.
+wo tigers cannot share one mountain (forest).
(Chinese original: )))))) or 3) ))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 sha1 bu4 rong2 er4 hu3. Dr
6i1 lin2 bu2 er4 hu3.) 8%o e3ually talented or able emloyees
cannot %or$ %ell side by side in one unit . 8hat may not be the case %ith everyone2
but eole do become 'ealous o! their eers sometimes.
9o to to
>
An unfolded map reveals a dagger.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 8u2 3iong2 bi4 'ian4.) An assassin o! the
=irst /meror hid his dagger in a ma. He lanned to $ill the emeror %ith the
%eaon as the ma %as un!olded but in vain. 8he roverb is used derogatorily to
describe a secret lan has develoed to such a degree that all the details o! the lot
are no% under the sun.
9o to to
?
?icious as a tigress can be, she never eats her own cubs.
(Chinese original: ))))))Chinese Pinyin: Hu3 du2 bu4 shi2 *i3.) 8hose arents
%ho hurt their children are %orse than beasts o! rey.
?isiting monks give better sermons.
(Chinese original: )))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 7ai4 lai2 de he2shang4 hao3
nian4'ing1.) Peole al%ays value oinions coming
!rom sources other than their !ello% emloyees.
?oid of a long-term plan will bring you trouble soon.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: Een2 %u2 yuan3 l?4 bi4 you3 'in4
you1.)
9o to to
:
:ade through boiling water and scorching flame.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: =u4 tang1 dao3 huo3.) ,! one can do this2 he
is courageous enough to do anything.
:alk sidewise and block the way.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: Heng2 0ing2 ba4 dao4.) 7hen one
does this2 his laying the tyrant.
:atch the fire burn on the other side of the river.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 9e2 an4 guan1 huo3.) 9loating over others-
misha instead o! coming to their rescue.
:ater spilled can never be retrieved.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: =u4 shui3 nan2 shou1.) 8hings have
develoed to a degree that there is no turning bac$.
:e are not so much concerned if you are slow as when you come to a halt.
(Chinese original: )))2))))Chinese Pinyin: :u2 a4 man42 'iu4 a4 *han4.) As in
the case o! the race bet%een the hare and the tortoise.
A weir close to completion left undone due to the shortage of a basket of
earth.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 9ong1 $ui1 yi1 $ui4.) A regrettable !ailure
o! something nearing accomlishment due to lac$ o! erseverance.
:hen good fortune finally comes, no one can ever stop it.
(Chinese original: )))))2))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i1 *hao1 shi2 yun4 *hi42 ban4 dian3
bu4 you2 ren2.)
:hen people are no longer afraid of death, there is no use threatening them
with it*
(Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: ))))2))))))))
:hen the head rope of a net is pulled up, all the meshes open.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 9ang1 'u3 mu4 *hang1.) 7hen a $ey
roblem is solved2 the rest o! the issues relating to it %ill also be un$notted.
:hen you are poor, you will have no visitors even if you live in a crowded
city" once you become rich, you#ll be surprised by visitors from alleged
relatives even if you live in a remote location.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: Pin2 'u1 nao4shi4 %u2 ren2
%en42 !u4 'u1 shen1shan1 you3 yuan3 3in1.) 8he roverb critici*es
snobbishness.
+he wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the
mountain.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: (han1yu3 yu4 lai2 !eng1 man3 lou2.)
:e!ore a big event ta$es lace2 there %ill
be a recursory atmoshere.
:ithout rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.
(Chinese original: )))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 4iao3!u4 nan2 %ei2 %u2 mi3 *hi1
chui1.) ,t may not be true to American
house%ives %ho seldom coo$ rice. :ut rice is stale !ood in (outh China %here the
roverb may have originated. 7ithout the right material2 no matter ho% good you
are2 you may not accomlish the tas$.
:ould rather be a chicken#s head than a phoeni!#s tail.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: @ing4 *uo4 'i1 tou2 bu1 dang1 !eng4
%ei3.) A head is a head and a tail is a tail. 8here
are situations %here you %ould rather be somebody in a small institution than a
small otato o! a large one.
:ould rather be betrayed by others than betraying them.
(Chinese original: ))))2 )))))Chinese Pinyin: @ing4 $e3 !u4 %o32 3ie4 mo4 !u4
ren2.)
+he wound caused by a sword can eventually be healed" the hurt resulted
from vicious remarks can never be undone.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 1i4'ian4 shang1 ren2 you2 $e3
yu42 e4yu3 shang1 ren2 hen4 nan2 0iao1.) Avoid hurting eole %ith vicious
remar$s %hen in anger or you %ill regret it.
9o to to
2
+he 2angt3e refuses no water from tributaries" %ount +ai discriminates no
dirt from other rocks.
(Chinese original: ))))))2)))))))Chinese Pinyin: Chang2'iang1 bu2 'u4 0i4 liu2<
8ai4shan1 bu4 *e2 tu3 shi2.) Dne %ho li$es to learn never re!uses
suggestions and advices coming !rom any%here.
A year#s harvest counts on spring" a man#s success counts on his diligence.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 6i4nian2 *hi1 'i4 *ai4yu2 chun12
yi4sheng1 *hi1 'i4 *ai4yu2 3in2.) Ased to encourage eole to study hard.
2ou can#t catch a cub without going into a tiger#s den.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: :u2 ru4 hu30ue22 yan1 de2 hu3 *i3.)
Eis$y as it is2 i! you are a!raid o! ta$ing
chances2 there is no %ay you can succeed.
2ou can#t tell the cost of food and fuel without being the head of a
household" you can#t appreciate the love of your parents without having
children of your own.
(Chinese original: ))))))))2)))))))))Chinese Pinyin: :u4 dang1'ia1 bu4 *hi1 chai2
mi3 gui42 bu4 yang3 er2 bu4 *hi1 !u4mu3 en1.)
2ou looked high and low till your iron shoes were worn out but still to no
avail. +hen you chanced upon it without ever looking.
(Chinese original: )))))))2))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 8a4 o4 tie30ie2 %u2 mi4 chu42
de2lai2 3uan2 bu4 !ei4 gong1!u.) 6ou loo$ed !or something every%here but
could not !ind it. All o! a sudden you chanced uon it. Have you had this e0erience)
, bet you have
2ou will never lose a battle if you know your own situation as well as that of
the enemy.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: Ghi1 'i3 *hi2 bi32 bai3 *han4 bu2 dai4.)

2ou think you lost your horse* :ho knows, he may bring a whole herd back
to you someday.
(Chinese original: ))))2)))))Chinese Pinyin: (ai4 %eng1 shi1 ma32 an1 *hi1 !ei1
!u2.) 8he story goes that an old man lost his
horse. As he %as bemoaning2 the animal returned bringing at his heels a herd more.
,t is thus regarded as a .Blessing in "isguise.. Dr ./very cloud has a silver lining..
2ou won#t help the new plants grow by pulling them up higher.
(Chinese original: )))))Chinese Pinyin: 6a4 miao2 *hu4 *hang3.) :e atient
and let nature run its course or you-ll do a diservice.
2ou can#t e!pect both ends of a sugar cane are as sweet.
(Chinese original: ))))))))Chinese Pinyin: 9an1*he4 mei2you3 liang3tou2 tian2.)
6ou can-t have both: ,n order to get
something2 you have to sacri!ice something else.
2our fingers can#t be of the same length.
(Chinese original: )))))))))Chinese Pinyin: (hi2ge4 *hi3tou2 bu2 yi1 ban1 3i3.)
8hat is true. And that is true %ith li!e: %e
can-t e0ect everything or everybody is er!ect.
o Literally: A single member of a family eat, the whole family won't be

hungry.
o Superficial meaning: If one member of the family eats, the rest of the
family will be happy for him or her and won't be hungry.
o Actual usage: It refers to a person who is single. Without other family
members to provide for, the person being full is the same as the family
being full.
!h" s#ng m$ hu%i& indicate'mulberry tree'blame'locust tree&
o (ranslation: )eviling a locust tree when pointing at a mulberry tree.
o *eaning: While one might appear to be crici!ing someone or something,
the intended criticism might refer to someone or something else
completely.
b+ ch" ,i$ w-n& not'shame'down'in.uire of&
o Literally and morally: /o shame in as0ing those of lower status.
1iao2 bing2 bi3 bai3& arrogant'army'certain'be defeated&
o Literally: (he arrogant army will lose the battle for sure.
o *oral: anyone who is arrogant4over5confident about their own abilities
will fail indeed.
yan6 er6 dao3 ling7& conceal'ear'steal'bell&
o Literally: covering one's own ears while stealing a bell
o *oral: 8ven if one ignores a shortcoming, others can still notice it.
o 9ompare: 8lephant in the room, (he 8mperor's /ew 9lothes.
hua3 she7 tian2 !u7& draw'sna0e'add'foot&
o Literally: adding legs when painting a sna0e
o *oral: :on't overdo something.
o 8nglish e.uivalent: to gild the lily
4yi6 du7 gong2 du7& by'poison'attac0'poison4&
o Literally: ;ight poison with poison
o *eaning: ;ight fire with fire
yi6 ya7 huan7 ya7& by'teeth'return'teeth&
o Literally: A tooth for a tooth
o *eaning: An eye for an eye< to see0 revenge in a manner in which one
was in1ured
!i3 ,iang2 mao7 dun3& self'mutually'spear'shield&
o Literally: piercing one's shield with one's spear.
o Self5contradiction .
o (he story about this is that a man was selling shields and spears at a
mar0etplace. =e raised up one of his spears and shouted, >(his spear can
pierce through any shield?> (hen, he raised up one of his shields and
shouted, >(his shield can deflect any spear.> When he was as0ed what
would happen if he pierced his own shield with his own spear, he was
speechless, since he had contradicted himself.
, fu7 wu7 chong7 !hi3, huo3 bu7 dan2 ,ing7&
blessing'not'double'arrive, misfortune'not'single'wal0&
o *eaning: ;ortune seldom repeats< troubles never occur alone.
o 9ompare: Shit happens
! s#n r@n ch@ng hA& three'people'achieve'tiger&
o Literally: (hree people can ma0e up a tiger.
o *eaning: Bnfounded rumors are dangerous in large numbers< see (hree
men ma0e a tiger.
o See also: Appeal to the ma1ority.
" wu7 nian3 1u3 hui2& no'thought'all'ashes&
CeditD
Others
#$%&'()*+ bai6 shi3 ,iu2 lai7 tong7 chuan7 du3,
.ian2 !ai3 ,iu2 de7 gong3 !heng6 mian7&
hundred'generations'cultivate'return'same'vessel'crossover,
thousand'transport'cultivate'obtain'together'pillow'sleep&
o Literally: It ta0es hundreds of reincarnations to bring two persons to ride
on the same boat< it ta0es a thousand eons to bring two persons to share
the same pillow.
o *oral: It is fate and yuanfen that brings two persons together, value an
encounter and treasure a relationship.
o /ote: (hese two phrases do not rhyme, but have parallel grammatical
structure, i.e, sub1ect to sub1ect, verb to verb, etc.
o Bsage: Sometimes used in marriage counselling to advise the couples
having problems to resolve it, before ma0ing any hasty decisions.
bing2 feng2 san6 chi6, 1ue7 fei2 yi7 ri3 !hi2 han7&
ice'feud'three'unitsEfeet&,never'not'one'sunday&'from&'chilly&
o Literally: (hree feet of ice does not result from one day of free!ing
weather.
o *oral: A predicament is not formed without a period of events creating it.
o 9ompare: Rome was not built in a day )oma non fu fatta in un giorno,
Italian proverb&
ci6 di3 wu7 yin7 san2 bai6 liang6, ge7 bi3
a2 er3 bu3 ceng7 tou2&this'ground'not'silver'three'hundred'ounce,
separate'partition'nameprefi,&'two'not'already'steal&
o Literally: (here isn't a stash of three hundred taels of silver buried here<
your neighbor Ah58r did not steal them
o *oral: A nervous heart is prone to mista0es< over0ill will worsen a
situation rather than bettering it.
o /ote: (he original story was this: A man had 6FF taels of silver, which he
buried. /ot wanting others to find it, he puts a sign above it saying: (here
isn't a stash of 6FF taels of silver buried here. Gvernight, his neighbor, Ah5
8r steals the silver. /ot wanting others to suspect him, Ah58r puts another
sign there: Hour neighbor Ah58r did not steal them.
da3 shui6 chong2 le long7 wang7 miao3& big'water'poured
over'finish'dragon'ruler'temple&
o Literally: massive amounts of water flooded the dragon50ing temple
o *oral: even those who wor0 to prevent something bad& can be hurt or
damaged by it
o 8,planation: the dragon50ing is a mystical creature that lives underwater
and controls the natural bodies of water. Ieople visit the dragon50ing
temple to placate him and prevent floods, thus this proverb is ironic
situationally. Sometimes this proverb is used as '
' ...yi2 1ia2 ren7 bu3 ren3 yi2 1ia2 ren7
...one'home'person'not'0now'one'home'person&. Hou can use this
idiom under such situation: Hou had some conflict4misunderstanding with
a stranger, but finally you found that this stranger was your neighbor, or
your sister's boy5friend, or any other person that had some relation with
you. Hou two would use this idiom to cover your embarrassment and
ma0e peace with each other, because your conflict is 1ust li0e the flooding
of dragon50ing's temple dragon50ing: rain god in some sense&
0ong2 ,ue3 lai7 feng7 wei3 bi3 wu7 yin2&
empty'cave'come'wind'not yet'surely'not'cause&
o Literally: If the wind comes from an empty cave, it's not without a reason.
o *oral: *ost seemingly strange events and actions have logical
e,plainations.
lao6 1i3 fu7 li3, !hi3 !ai3 .ian2 li6&
old'thoroughbred'hidden'stable,determined'be'thousand'distance unit&&
o Literally: (he old horse in the stable still yearns to run 2FFF li
2
.
o *oral: :on't underestimate e,perienced people, old people still may have
great ambitions and potential. Another one is >(he older the ginger the
hotter the spice>
o /ote: 'stable' and 'li' rhyme in *andarin
2
li: a 9hinese unit of linear measure, corresponds to about .J 0ilometers
pinyin: lu3 yao7 !hi2 ma6 li3, ri3 1iu6 1ian3 ren7
,in2&
o Literally: Gver a long distance, you learn about the strength of your horse<
over a long time, you learn about the character of your friend.
o Bsage: (his can be used positively to praise a true friend< or negatively to
critici!e friends that could not stand a test.
< pinyin: ren7 yao3 lian6 shu3 yao3 pi7&
o Literally: a person needs a face< a tree needs bar0
o *eaning: a person needs a clean reputation to survive.
o /ote: ;ace here is used metaphorically as the face social custom&.
o Bsage: when someone behaves dishonorably once or repeatedly&, it can
be said directly to that person as admonishment as parents to an child&.
!" pinyin: rou3 bao2 !i da6 gou6& meat'bun'hit'dog&
o Literally: to hit a dog with a meat5bun
o Interpretation: the dog will not be driven off, but rather en1oy the meat5
bun instead
o *oral: using the wrong method to approach a problem
#$ !" # % pinyin: shi3 shang3 wu7 nan7 shi3 !hi6 pa3 you6
,ing2 ren7&
o Literally: Gn this world there e,ists no such impossible tas0s, they fear
only those with perseverance.
o *oral: /o tas0 in this world is impossible so long as there are willing
hearts.
$ % pinyin: shu3 dao6 hu7 sun2 san3&
o Literally: When a tree falls, the mon0eys scatter.
o Bsage: When a leader loses power, his followers become disorgani!ed.
(his proverb is anti5anarchistic.
& &,'&() pinyin: shui6 neng7 !ai3 !hou2, yi3 neng7 fu3 !hou2&
o Literally: /ot only can water float a craft, it can sin0 it also.
o *oral: (here are opposite aspects of any tool or power.
o /ote: (his concept is related to yin5yang. it can be used under such
conditions as: the multitude can support the goverment or overthrow the
goverment&
*+ ' pinyin: tian2 ,ia3 wu2 ya2 yi7 yang3 hei2&
o Literally: All crows in the world are blac0.
o *eanings: (here are several possible interpretations:
2. A natural interpretation: Some rules, li0e those natural forces of
the Bniverse, are unbendable, regardless how much you may want
it to change.
7. A stereotypical interpretation: something or someone bad& is no
different from all the others. e.g., All government officials are
corrupt, all lawyers are sna0es, etc.
,,-./012 pinyin: ,ing2 ,ing2 !hi2 huo6 0e6 yi6 liao7 yuan7&
o Literally: A spar0 can start a fire that burns the entire prairie.
o *oral: don't underestimate the potential destructive power that a
seemingly minor problems can spread.
34567589 9 pinyin: ,iong7 ,ia2 !i !hai2 bao2 mi6, !hai2 yi7
ge3 diu2 yi7 ge3&
o Literally: blind bear pic0s corn, pic0s one and throws one
o *eaning: Inability to appreciate what you have.
o /ote: Story& A bear a bear, in 9hinese culture, fre.uently symboli!es
someone with little common sense& was pic0ing corn and stic0ing the corn
in his armpit. As he puts the ne,t corn cob into his armpit, opening his
arm, he drops the one he already had.
: () *+ ; ; pinyin: ye6 yao3 ma6 er7 hao6, ye6 yao3 ma6
er7 bu3 chi2 cao6& also'want'horse'good, also'want'horse'not'eat'grass or
hay, can be construed as both&
o Literally: want the horse to be the best, also want the horse not to eat any
hay
o *oral: Hou can't have your ca0e and eat it too 8nglish e.uivalent&
o Bsage: someone has an unrealistic e,pectation.
o /ote: 'best' and 'hay' rhyme in *andarin
<=>?@A pinyin: you6 !hi3 !he, shi3 1ing3 cheng7&
o Literally: If a person has ambition, things will be accomplished.
o *oral: Where there is a will, there is a way. 8nglish e.uivalent&
BCAD pinyin: yu3 bu3 !huo7 bu3 chen7 .i3&
o Literally: Kade re.uires chiselling before becoming a gem.
o *oral: a person needs training and discipline to build character.
+,-. /01 pinyin: !han6 cao6 bu3 chu7 gen2, chun2 feng2
chui2 you3 sheng2&
o Literally: If the roots are not removed during weeding, the weeds will
return when the winds of Spring season blows.
o *oral: It is essential to finish a tas0 thoroughly or the effort would be
wasted, or a stitch in time saves nine appro,imate 8nglish e.uivalent&.
EFG pinyin: !hi2 !i6 mo3 ru7 fu3&
o Literally: /o one 0nows a son better than the father.
o *oral: =aving spent decades with each other, family members 0now what
type of persons each other are li0e. >Sons> and >fathers> also apply to the
female e.uivalents.
o Bsage: 9haracter witness in a trial. :espite his4her denial, an honest
parent can tell if their children are capable of heinous crimes, li0e murder.
H I H J 23 K H 42H L H MN pinyin: wL 0$n 1i$n wL
w$ng 1M. wL tNng 1i$n wL 1M !h+. wL !uO wL liPo 1iQ&
o Literally: When& I see I forget. When& I hear I remember. When& I do I
understand.
o *eaning: When you learn something new, you will not learn it only by
observing others. Hou will remember it when it is e,plained to you. When
you do it yourself, you will understand it.
o *oral: Learn by doing.
OGP pinyin: hA f+ wR .uPn !"&
o Literally: A tiger father has no canine sons.
o *oral: (he son of a great man is of no less valor than his father.
QR*Q pinyin: r@n su$n b+ rR ti#n su$n&
o Literally: *an's schemes are inferior to those made by heaven.
o ;iguratively: *an proposes and god disposes.
<S&TUVW pinyin: yLu .i%n n@ng sh" gu" tuN mO&
o Literally: If you have money you can ma0e the devil push your grind
stone.
o /ote: 8nglish e.uivalent: When money tal0s, bullSSSS wal0s.
XY 56 78 pinyin: ba2 ,ian2 guo3 hai6 ge3 ,ian7 shen7 tong2&
o Literally: li0e the 8ight Immortals crossing the sea, each one displaying
his4her special feats.
o *oral: 8veryone has his4her own powers.
XZ[8\ pinyin: ba2 !i3 mei7 yi3 pie6&
o Literally: (he character >eight> X& does not have one stro0e.
o ;iguratively: It ta0es two stro0es to write the character >eight>.
o *oral: /o prospects yet /o chance&.
]^_`a pinyin: bu3 dao3 huang7 he7 ,in2 bu3 si6& or 9: ^
b&
o Literally: /ot having arrived at the Hellow )iver, the heart is not dead.
o ;iguratively: ;eeling despair only when one arrives at the Hellow )iver.
o *oral: Gnly when there is no road left does one finally feel despair.
o Similarly: ;<=b, meaning no tears until one sees one's own
coffin.
8 c d A e f g yi7 1iang3 gong2 cheng7 wan3 gu6 0u2&
one'general'accomplishment'succeed'myriad'bones'dry up&
o (ens of thousands of bones will become ashes when one general achieves
his fame.
Add legs to the sna$e a!ter you have !inished dra%ing it.
A!ter three days %ithout reading2 tal$ becomes !lavorless.
An ant may %ell destroy a %hole dam.
:e not a!raid o! gro%ing slo%ly2 be a!raid only o! standing still.
:ehind an able man there are al%ays other able men.
:etter a diamond %ith a !la% than a ebble %ithout one.
:etter do a good deed near at home than go !ar a%ay to burn incense.
:etter to light a candle than to curse the dar$ness
A boo$ is li$e a garden carried in the oc$et.
A boo$ holds a house o! gold.
:utcher the don$ey a!ter it !inished his 'ob on the mill.
A camel standing amidst a !loc$ o! shee.
Clear conscience never !ears midnight $noc$ing.
A closed mind is li$e a closed boo$< 'ust a bloc$ o! %ood
A crane standing amidst a !loc$ o! chic$ens.
Cro%s every%here are e3ually blac$.
A dish o! carrot hastily coo$ed may still has soil uncleaned o!! the vegetable.
+ismantle the bridge shortly a!ter crossing it.
+istant %ater %on-t hel to ut out a !ire close at hand.
+istant %ater %on-t 3uench your immediate thirst.
+o not emloy handsome servants.
+o not %ant others to $no% %hat you have done) :etter not have done it
any%ays.
+on$ey-s lis do not !it onto a horse-s mouth.
A dog %on-t !orsa$e his master because o! his overty< a son never deserts
his mother !or her homely aearance.
+ream di!!erent dreams %hile on the same bed.
/n'oy yoursel!. ,t-s later than you thin$.
/nough shovels o! earth ;; a mountain. /nough ails o! %ater ;; a river.
/ven a hare %ill bite %hen it is cornered.
/0erience is a comb %hich nature gives to men %hen they are bald.
=ail to steal the chic$en %hile it ate u your bait grain.
A !all into a ditch ma$es you %iser.
=ight a %ol! %ith a !le0 stal$.
A !lea on the to o! a bald head.
=lo%ing %ater never goes bad< our door hubs never gather termites.
A !rog in a %ell sha!t seeing the s$y.
=lies never visit an egg that has no crac$.
=orget in'uries2 never !orget $indnesses.
A gem cannot be olished %ithout !riction2 nor a man er!ected %ithout trials.
A good !ortune may !orbode a bad luc$2 %hich may in turn disguise a good
!ortune.
9overn a !amily as you %ould coo$ a small !ish ;; very gently.
9reat souls have %ills< !eeble ones have only %ishes.
Hainess is li$e a sunbeam2 %hich the least shado% intercets2 %hile
adversity is o!ten as the rain o! sring.
Have a mouth as shar as a dagger but a heart as so!t as to!u.
Have one-s ears ierced only be!ore the %edding ceremony starts.
He %ho as$s is a !ool !or !ive minutes2 but he %ho does not as$ remains a !ool
!orever.
He %ho hurries can not %al$ %ith dignity.
He %ho sacri!ices his conscience to ambition burns a icture to obtain the
ashes.
A horse cannot gain %eight i! not !ed %ith e0tra !odder during the night< a
man cannot become %ealthy %ithout earnings aart !rom his regular salaries.
Ho% can you e0ect to !ind ivory in a dog-s mouth)
Ho% can you ut out a !ire set on a cart;load o! !ire%ood %ith only a cu o!
%ater)
,! a son is uneducated2 his dad is to blame.
,! , $ee a green bough in my heart2 the singing bird %ill come.
,! you are atient in a moment o! anger2 you %ill escae a hindred days o!
sorro%.
,! you bo% at all2 bo% lo%.
,! you do not study hard %hen young you-ll end u be%ailing your !ailures as
you gro% u.
,! you have never done anything evil2 you should not be %orrying about devils
to $noc$ at your door.
,! you must lay2 decide on three things at the start: the rules o! he game2
the sta$es2 and the 3uitting time.
,! you see in your %ine the re!lection o! a erson not in your range o! vision2
don-t drin$ it.
,! you susect a man2 don-t emloy him2 and i! yu emloy him2 don-t susect
him.
,! you %ant 1 year o! roserity2 gro% grain. ,! you %ant 1> years o!
roserity2 gro% trees. ,! you %ant 1>> years o! roserity2 gro% eole.
,! you %ish to $no% the mind o! a man2 listen to his %ords.
,n reviling2 it is not necessary to reare a reliminary dra!t.
An inch o! time is an inch o! gold but you can-t buy that inch o! time %ith an
inch o! gold.
,t is easy to dodge a sear that comes in !ront o! you but hard to $ee harms
a%ay !rom an arro% shot !rom behind.
,t is later than you thin$.
A "ade stone is useless be!ore it is rocessed< a man is good;!or;nothing until
he is educated.
A 'ourney o! a thousand miles begins %ith a single ste.
"udge not the horse by his saddle.
5ee your bro$en arm inside your sleeve.
5ill a chic$en be!ore a mon$ey.
5ill one to %arn a hundred.
1earning is a treasure that %ill !ollo% its o%ner every%here.
1i!e is a dream %al$ing death is a going home.
1i$e ants eating a bone.
1i!t a stone only to dro on your o%n !eet.
1isten to all2 luc$ing a !eather !rom every assing goose2 but2 !ollo% no one
absolutely.
8he longer the night lasts2 the more our dreams %ill be.
1oo$ing !or the ass on its very bac$.
A "ade stone is useless be!ore it is rocessed< a man is good;!or;nothing until
he is educated.
A 'ourney o! a thousand miles begins %ith a single ste.
"udge not the horse by his saddle.
5ee your bro$en arm inside your sleeve.
5ill a chic$en be!ore a mon$ey.
5ill one to %arn a hundred.
1earning is a treasure that %ill !ollo% its o%ner every%here.
1i!e is a dream %al$ing death is a going home.
1i$e ants eating a bone.
1i!t a stone only to dro on your o%n !eet.
1isten to all2 luc$ing a !eather !rom every assing goose2 but2 !ollo% no one
absolutely.
8he longer the night lasts2 the more our dreams %ill be.
1oo$ing !or the ass on its very bac$.
8he alest in$ is better than the best memory.
Paer can-t %ra u a !ire.
Pic$ u a sesame seed but lose sight o! a %atermelon.
Play a har be!ore a co%.
Eegular !eet can-t be a!!ected by irregular shoes.
Eeshae one-s !oot to try to !it into a ne% shoe.
8he saving man becomes the !ree man.
(hed no tears until seeing the co!!in.
A single conversation %ith a %ise man is better than ten years o! study.
A sly rabbit %ill have three oenings to its den.
A smile %ill gain you ten more years o! li!e.
(ome re!er carrot %hile others li$e cabbage.
(o% much2 rea much< so% little2 rea little.
(teal a bell %ith one-s ears covered.
8here are al%ays ears on the other side o! the %all.
8here is no silver here: three hundred taels.
8hose %ho have !ree seats at a lay hiss !irst.
8hree humble shoema$ers brainstorming %ill ma$e a great statesman.
A tiger never returns to his rey he did not !inish o!!.
8o attract good !ortune2 send a ne% coin on an old !riend2 share an old
leasure %ith a ne% !riend2 and li!t u the heart o! a true !riend by %riting his
name on the %ings o! a dragon.
8o $no% the road ahead2 as$ those coming bac$.
8o understand your arents- love you must raise children yoursel!.
Ase o%er to curb o%er.
Licious as a tigeress can be2 she never eats her o%n cubs.
7aiting !or a rabbit to hit uon a tree and be $illed in order to catch it.
7e are not so much concerned i! you are slo% as %hen you come to a halt.
A %easel comes to say Hay @e% 6ear to the chic$ens.
7ith time and atience the mulberry lea! becomes a sil$ go%n.
7hen eating bamboo srouts2 remember the man %ho lanted them.
7hen you are oor2 neighbors close by %ill not come< once you become rich2
you-ll be surrised by visits !rom (alleged) relatives a!ar.
7hen you have only t%o ennies le!t in the %orld2 buy a loa! o! bread %ith
one2 and a lily %ith the other.
7hen you %ant to test the deths o! a stream2 don-t use both !eet.
7hen lanning !or a year2 lant corn. 7hen lanning !or a decade2 lant
trees. 7hen lanning !or li!e2 train and educate eole.
7ithout rice2 even the cleverest house%i!e cannot coo$.
6ou can only go hal!%ay into the dar$est !orest< then you are coming out the
other side.
6ou cannot revent the birds o! sorro% !rom !lying over your head2 but you
can revent
6ou can-t catch a cub %ithout going into the tiger-s den. them !rom building
nests in your hair.
6ou can-t e0ect both ends o! a sugar cane are as s%eet.
6ou thin$ you lost your horse) 7ho $no%s2 he may bring a %hole herd bac$
to you someday.
6ou %on-t hel shoots gro% by ulling them u higher.
6our !ingers can-t be o! the same length.
A bad word whispered will echo a hundred miles.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bad worker quarrels with his tools.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bad workman blames his tools.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bar of iron continually ground becomes a needle.
(ource: (%hinese)
A beautiful bird is the only kind we cage.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bird can roost but on one branch, a mouse can drink not more than its fill from a river.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. )t sings because it has a song.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.
(ource: (%hinese)
A book holds a house of gold.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bride received into the home is like a horse that you have just bought" you break her in by
constantly mounting her and continually beating her.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bridle for the tongue is a necessary piece of furniture.
(ource: (%hinese)
A chicken is hatched even from such a well-sealed thing as an egg.
(ource: (%hinese)
A child#s life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.
(ource: (%hinese)
A clever person turns great troubles into little ones and little ones into none at all.
(ource: (%hinese)
A client twi!t his attorney and counselor is like a goose twi!t two fo!es.
(ource: (%hinese)
A closed mind is like a closed book" just a block of wood.
(ource: (%hinese)
A cloth is not woven from a single thread.
(ource: (%hinese)
A country where flowers are priced so as to make them a lu!ury has yet to learn the first
principles of civili3ation.
(ource: (%hinese)
A courageous foe is better than a cowardly friend.
(ource: (%hinese)
A courtesy much entreated is half recompensed.
(ource: (%hinese)
A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind.
(ource: (%hinese)
A day of sorrow is longer than a month of joy.
(ource: (%hinese)
A dog in desperation will leap over a wall.
(ource: (%hinese)
A dog won#t forsake his master because of poverty" a son never deserts his mother because of
her homely appearance.
(ource: (%hinese)
A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.
(ource: (%hinese)
A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef.
(ource: (%hinese)
A false report rides post.
(ource: (%hinese)
A flea on top of a bald head.
(ource: (%hinese)
A flower cannot blossom without sunshine nor a garden without love.
(ource: (%hinese)
A fly before his own eye is bigger than an elephant in the ne!t field.
(ource: (%hinese)
A frog in a well-shaft seeing the sky.
(ource: (%hinese)
A fu purse never lacks freends.
(ource: (%hinese)
A fu# sack will tak a clout o# the side.
(ource: (%hinese)
A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man made perfect without trials.
(ource: (%hinese)
A good dog does not block the road.
(ource: (%hinese)
A good neighbor is a found treasure.
(ource: (%hinese)
A hasty man drinks his tea with a fork.
(ource: (%hinese)
A hasty man never wants woe.
(ource: (%hinese)
A hundred men may make an encampment, but it takes a woman to make a home.
(ource: (%hinese)
A jade stone is useless before it is processed" a man is good-for-nothing until he is educated.
(ource: (%hinese)
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
(ource: (%hinese)
A maker of idols is never an idolater.
(ource: (%hinese)
A man must despise himself before others will.
(ource: (%hinese)
A man must make himself despicable before he is despised by others.
(ource: (%hinese)
A man must plough with such o!en as he hath.
(ource: (%hinese)
A man need never revenge himself" the body of his enemy will be brought to his own door.
(ource: (%hinese)
A man#s conversation is the mirror of his thoughts.
(ource: (%hinese)
A man#s discontent is his worst evil.
(ource: (%hinese)
A nation#s treasure< scholars.
(ource: (%hinese)
A person who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it.
(ource: (%hinese)
A person whose heart is not content is like a snake which tries to swallow an elephant.
(ource: (%hinese)
A person with a bad name is already half-hanged.
(ource: (%hinese)
A red-nosed man may be a teetotaler, but will find no one to believe it.
(ource: (%hinese)
A reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall.
(ource: (%hinese)
A rumour goes in one ear and out many mouths.
(ource: (%hinese)
A single beam cannot support a great house.
(ource: (%hinese)
A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study.
(ource: (%hinese)
A single untried popular remedy often throws the scientific doctor into hysterics.
(ource: (%hinese)
A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den.
(ource: (%hinese)
A smile will gain you ten more years of life.
(ource: (%hinese)
A thorn defends the rose harming only those who would steal the blossom.
(ource: (%hinese)
A thousand cups of wine do not suffice when true friends meet, but half a sentence is too much
when there is no meeting of minds.
(ource: (%hinese)
A thousand pounds and a bottle of hay are all one at domesday.
(ource: (%hinese)
A vacant mind is open to all suggestions, as a hollow mountain returns all sounds.
(ource: (%hinese)
A whitewashed crow soon shows black again.
(ource: (%hinese)
A wicked book cannot repent.
(ource: (%hinese)
A wicked companion invites us all to hell.
(ource: (%hinese)
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
(ource: (%hinese)
A young branch takes on all the bends that one gives it.
(ource: (%hinese)
A young doctor makes a full graveyard.
(ource: (%hinese)
Abroad we judge the dress" at home we judge the man.
(ource: (%hinese)
Add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it.
(ource: (%hinese)
After three days without reading, talk becomes flavorless.
(ource: (%hinese)
All cats love fish but fear to wet their paws.
(ource: (%hinese)
All people are your relatives, therefore e!pect only trouble from them.
(ource: (%hinese)
All things at first appear difficult.
(ource: (%hinese)
All things change, and we change with them. @'at., 0mnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis.A
(ource: (%hinese)
Alms given openly will be rewarded in secret.
(ource: (%hinese)
Among ten matchmakers only nine will lie.
(ource: (%hinese)
An ambassador bears no blame.
(ource: (%hinese)
An ignorant doctor is no better than a murderer.
(ource: (%hinese)
An inch of time is an inch of gold, but you can#t buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.
(ource: (%hinese)
An old friend met in a far country is like rain after drought.
(ource: (%hinese)
Avoid suspicion< when you#re walking through your neighbor#s melon patch, don#t tie your
shoe.
(ource: (%hinese)
Be in readiness for favorable winds.
(ource: (%hinese)
Be just before you#re generous.
(ource: (%hinese)
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.
(ource: (%hinese)
Be not disturbed at being misunderstood" be disturbed at not understanding.
(ource: (%hinese)
Be on a horse when you go in search of a better one.
(ource: (%hinese)
Be resolved and the thing is done.
(ource: (%hinese)
Beat your drum inside the house to spare the neighbors.
(ource: (%hinese)
Beat your gong and sell your candles.
(ource: (%hinese)
Because men do not like the cold, 4eaven does not cause winter to cease.
(ource: (%hinese)
Before you beat a dog, find out who its master is.
(ource: (%hinese)
Begin with an error of an inch and end by being a thousand miles off the mark.
(ource: (%hinese)
Behind an able man there are always other able men.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better a dinner of herbs than a stalled o! where hate is.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled o! and hatred therewith.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better be kind at home than burn incense in a far place.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better be too credulous than too skeptical.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better die ten years early than live ten years poor.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better do a kindness near home than go far to burn incense.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better do it than wish it done.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better go than send.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better go to heaven in rags than to hell in embroidery.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better the cottage where one is merry than the palace where one weeps.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better the devil you know than the devil you don#t.
(ource: (%hinese)
Better to do a kindness near home than go far away to burn incense.
(ource: (%hinese)
areless rat chewing on a cat#s tail< beware lightning=
(ource: (%hinese)
eremony is the smoke of friendship.
(ource: (%hinese)
heap things are not good, good things are not cheap.
(ource: (%hinese)
heat the earth and the earth will cheat you.
(ource: (%hinese)
lumsy birds have need of early flight.
(ource: (%hinese)
onquerors are kings" the beaten are bandits.
(ource: (%hinese)
orner a dog in a dead-end street and it will turn and bite.
(ource: (%hinese)
orporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.
(ource: (%hinese)
ount not what is lost but what is left.
(ource: (%hinese)
ovet wealth, and want it" don#t, and luck will grant it.
(ource: (%hinese)
ovetous men#s chests are rich, not they.
(ource: (%hinese)
rows everywhere are equally black.
(ource: (%hinese)
urse your wife at evening, sleep alone at night.
(ource: (%hinese)
ursed cows have short horns.
(ource: (%hinese)
ustomers are jade" merchandise is grass.
(ource: (%hinese)
$angerous enemies will meet again in narrow streets.
(ource: (%hinese)
$ead songbirds make a sad meal.
(ource: (%hinese)
$eal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.
(ource: (%hinese)
$eer-hunter, waste not your arrow on the hare.
(ource: (%hinese)
$efeat isn#t bitter if you don#t swallow it.
(ource: (%hinese)
$efer not till to-morrow what may be done to-day.
(ource: (%hinese)
$espise learning and make everyone pay for your ignorance.
(ource: (%hinese)
$espise not a small wound or a poor kinsman.
(ource: (%hinese)
$eviate an inch, lose a thousand miles.
(ource: (%hinese)
$evil take the hindmost.
(ource: (%hinese)
$ig a well before you are thirsty.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not all you can" spend not all you have" believe not all you hear" and tell not all you know.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not allow the sheep to die for a halfpenny of tar.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not an!iously hope for that which is not yet come" do not vainly regret what is already past.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not employ handsome servants.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not have each foot on a different boat.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not insult the crocodile until you#ve crossed the river.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not tear down the east wall to repair the west.
(ource: (%hinese)
$o not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend#s forehead.
(ource: (%hinese)
$ogs do not dislike poor families.
(ource: (%hinese)
$ogs have so many friends because they wag their tails, not their tongues.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t build a new ship out of old wood.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t consider your reputation and you may do anything you like.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t count your chickens before they are hatched.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t cross the bridge until you come to it.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t stand by the water and long for fish" go home and weave a net.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t waste good iron for nails or good men for soldiers.
(ource: (%hinese)
$on#t waste too many stones on one bird.
(ource: (%hinese)
$onkey#s lips don#t fit onto a horse#s mouth.
(ource: (%hinese)
$ream different dreams while on the same bed.
(ource: (%hinese)
$ream of a funeral and you hear of a marriage.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asier to bend the body than the will.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asier to rule a nation than a son.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asy to believe in heaven#s law, but so hard to keep.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asy to enroll a thousand soldiers. But, ah, one general=.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asy to keep the castle that was never besieged.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asy to know men#s faces, not their hearts.
(ource: (%hinese)
,asy to run downhill, much puffing to run up.
(ource: (%hinese)
,mpty the clear path to heaven, crowded the dark road to hell.
(ource: (%hinese)
,njoy yourself. )t#s later than you think.
(ource: (%hinese)
,nough shovels of earth make a mountain, enough pails of water a river.
(ource: (%hinese)
,nough#s as good as a feast.
(ource: (%hinese)
,ven a hare will bite when it is cornered.
(ource: (%hinese)
,very day cannot be a feast of lanterns.
(ource: (%hinese)
,veryone pushes a falling fence.
(ource: (%hinese)
,veryone rakes the fire under his own pot.
(ource: (%hinese)
,veryone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way
with all his strength.
(ource: (%hinese)
,veryone speaks well of the bridge which carries him over.
(ource: (%hinese)
,veryone stretches his legs according to the length of his coverlet.
(ource: (%hinese)
,!aggeration is to paint a snake and add legs.
(ource: (%hinese)
/ail to steal the chicken while it ate up your bait grain.
(ource: (%hinese)
/ailing to plan is planning to fail.
(ource: (%hinese)
/alling hurts least those who fly low.
(ource: (%hinese)
/ar waters cannot quench near fires.
(ource: (%hinese)
/ar-fetched and dear-bought is good for ladies.
(ource: (%hinese)
/arewell and be hanged" friends must part=
(ource: (%hinese)
/ight a wolf with a fle! stalk.
(ource: (%hinese)
/ight fire with fire.
(ource: (%hinese)
/lowers leave a part of their fragrance in the hands that bestow them.
(ource: (%hinese)
/lowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them.
(ource: (%hinese)
/lowing water never goes bad" our door hubs never gather termites.
(ource: (%hinese)
/or the sake of one good action, a hundred evil ones should be forgotten.
(ource: (%hinese)
/orethought is easy, repentance hard.
(ource: (%hinese)
/orget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
(ource: (%hinese)
/orget the favors you have given" remember those received.
(ource: (%hinese)
/ortune and flowers do not last forever.
(ource: (%hinese)
/our horses cannot overtake the tongue.
(ource: (%hinese)
/our things come not back< the spoken word, the spent arrow, the past life, and the neglected
opportunity.
(ource: (%hinese)
/riend, do not try to borrow combs from shaven monks.
(ource: (%hinese)
/rom the lowly perspective of a dog#s eyes, everyone looks short.
(ource: (%hinese)
.arden flowers larger, field flowers stronger.
(ource: (%hinese)
.arlands are not for every brow.
(ource: (%hinese)
.et the coffin ready and watch the man mend.
(ource: (%hinese)
.irls marry to please parents, widows to please themselves.
(ource: (%hinese)
.irls will be girls.
(ource: (%hinese)
.ive a beggar a bed and he#ll repay you with a louse.
(ource: (%hinese)
.oing beyond is as bad as falling short.
(ource: (%hinese)
.old and silver are mingled with dirt, till avarice parted them.
(ource: (%hinese)
.old has its price" learning is beyond price.
(ource: (%hinese)
.old is tested by fire, man by gold.
(ource: (%hinese)
.ood fortune may forebode bad luck, which may in turn disguise good fortune.
(ource: (%hinese)
.overn a family as you would cook a small fish--very gently.
(ource: (%hinese)
.overn yourself and you can govern the world.
(ource: (%hinese)
.rass fears the frost, frost fears the sun.
(ource: (%hinese)
.reat blessings come from heaven" small blessings come from man.
(ource: (%hinese)
.reat boast, small roast.
(ource: (%hinese)
.reat business is good" to sit and sip this glass is better.
(ource: (%hinese)
.reat cry and little wool, as the fellow said when he sheared his hogs.
(ource: (%hinese)
.reat souls have wills" feeble ones have only wishes.
(ource: (%hinese)
4abits are cobwebs at first, cables at last.
(ource: (%hinese)
4appiness is like a sunbeam, which the least shadow intercepts, while adversity is often as the
rain of spring.
(ource: (%hinese)
4appy people never count hours as they pass.
(ource: (%hinese)
4atred corrodes the vessel in which it is stored.
(ource: (%hinese)
4ave a mouth as sharp as a dagger, but a heart as soft as tofu.
(ource: (%hinese)
4ave but few friends though much acquaintance.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e comes with incense in one hand, in the other a spear.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e has too many lice to feel an itch.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e hath lived ill that knows not how to die well.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e painted a tiger, but it turned out a dog.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e that has no money might as well be buried in a rice tub with his mouth sewn up.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e that has no silver in his purse, should have silver on his tongue.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e that has not bread to spare should not keep a dog.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who asks a question is a fool for five minutes" he who does not ask a question remains a
fool forever.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who can predict winning numbers should not set off fire crackers.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who cannot agree with his enemies is controlled by them.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who carves the Buddha never worships him.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who could foresee affairs three days in advance would be rich for thousands of years.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who hurries cannot walk with dignity.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes.
(ource: (%hinese)
4e who seeks revenge should remember to dig two graves.
(ource: (%hinese)
4old back some goods for a thousand days and you will be sure to sell at a profit.
(ource: (%hinese)
4oney in his mouth, knives in his heart.
(ource: (%hinese)
4ow can you e!pect to find ivory in a dog#s mouth*
(ource: (%hinese)
4ow can you put out a fire set on a cart-load of firewood with only a cup of water.
(ource: (%hinese)
) dreamed a thousand new paths. ) woke and walked my old one.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f a son is uneducated, his father is to blame.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f a string has one end, then it has another end.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f a thing#s worth doing, it#s worth doing well.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f an enemy is annoying you by playing well, consider adopting his strategy.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f heaven made him, earth can find some use for him.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f his legs fail him, he fights on his knees.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f ) keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f there is a strong general, there will be no weak soldiers.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f there is a wave there must be a wind.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home. )f there is harmony in the
home, there will be order in the nation. )f there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the
world.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f what we see is doubtful, how can we believe what is spoken behind the back.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you always give, you will always have.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you are planning for a year, sow rice" if you are planning for a decade, plant trees" if you are
planning for a lifetime, educate people.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you are standing upright, don#t worry if your shadow is crooked.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you beat spice it will smell the sweeter.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you bow at all, bow low.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you can#t change your fate, change your attitude.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you don#t scale the mountain, you can#t view the plain.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you don#t speculate, you can#t accumulate.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you get up one more time than you fall you will make it through.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you have never done anything evil, you should not be worrying about devils knocking at your
door.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy a lily.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you must play, decide on three things at the start< the rules of the game, the stakes, and the
quitting time.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you see in your wine the reflection of a person not in your range of vision, don#t drink it.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you share a man#s wealth, try to lessen his misfortune.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you suspect a man, don#t employ him, and if you employ him, don#t suspect him.
(ource: (%hinese)
)f you want an audience, start a fight.
(ource: (%hinese)
)llness comes in by mouth" ills come out by it.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n every family#s cooking pot is one black spot.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n his decision the judge with seven reasons gives only one in court.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n reviling, it is not necessary to prepare a preliminary draft.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n shallow holes moles make fools of dragons.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n the broken nest there are no whole eggs.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n the coldest flint there is hot fire.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n the midst of great joy do not promise to give a man anything" in the midst of great anger do
not answer a man#s letter.
(ource: (%hinese)
)n the presence of princes the cleverest jester is mute.
(ource: (%hinese)
)nsects do not nest in a busy door-hinge.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t is better to be entirely without a book than to believe it entirely.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t is easier to know how to do than it is to do.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t is harder to be poor without complaining than to be rich without boasting.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t is not economical to go to bed early to save the candles if the result is twins.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t is the beautiful bird which gets caged.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t takes little effort to watch a man carry a load.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t#s as difficult to be rich without bragging as it is to be poor without complaining.
(ource: (%hinese)
)t#s your own lantern" don#t poke holes in the paper.
(ource: (%hinese)
5ade and men, both are sharpened by bitter tools.
(ource: (%hinese)
5am tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today.
(ource: (%hinese)
5udge not the horse by his saddle.
(ource: (%hinese)
5ust as tall trees are known by their shadows, so are good men known by their enemies.
(ource: (%hinese)
5ust scales and full measure injure no man.
(ource: (%hinese)
6eep your broken arm inside your sleeve.
(ource: (%hinese)
6eep your chin up.
(ource: (%hinese)
6ill a chicken before a monkey.
(ource: (%hinese)
6ill one to warn a hundred.
(ource: (%hinese)
6ill the chicken to frighten the monkey.
(ource: (%hinese)
6now thyself to know others, for heart beats like heart.
(ource: (%hinese)
'arge demands on oneself and little demands on others keep resentment at bay.
(ource: (%hinese)
'aws control the lesser man" right conduct controls the greater one.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earn to handle a writing-brush and you#ll never handle a begging-bowl.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earning is a weightless treasure you always carry easy.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earning is better than house and land.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earning is like rowing upstream< not to advance is to drop back.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earning is treasure no thief can touch.
(ource: (%hinese)
'earning is weightless, treasure you can always carry easily.
(ource: (%hinese)
'eave a bit of the tail to whisk off flies.
(ource: (%hinese)
'et him who does not know what war is go to war.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ife is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends whom we choose.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ife isn#t all beer and skittles.
(ource: (%hinese)
'isten to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose, but, follow no one absolutely.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ong roads test the horse, long dealings the friend.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ook for a thing until you find it and you#ll not lose your labor.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ooking for fish* $on#t climb a tree.
(ource: (%hinese)
'osing comes of winning money.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ove is blind, and greed insatiable.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ove is blind, friendship closes its eyes.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ove is blind.
(ource: (%hinese)
'ove is incompatible with fear.
(ource: (%hinese)
%ake happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.
(ource: (%hinese)
%ake sure you leave some fat for the other side.
(ource: (%hinese)
%allet strikes chisel" chisel splits wood.
(ource: (%hinese)
%an cannot stir one inch without the push of heaven#s finger.
(ource: (%hinese)
%an concocts a million schemes" god knows but one.
(ource: (%hinese)
%an fools himself. 4e prays for a long life and he fears old age.
(ource: (%hinese)
%an has a thousand plans, heaven but one.
(ource: (%hinese)
%an is heaven and earth in miniature.
(ource: (%hinese)
%an must be sharpened on man, like knife on stone.
(ource: (%hinese)
%ankind fears an evil man but heaven does not.
(ource: (%hinese)
%ankind scorns a virtuous man, but heaven does not.
(ource: (%hinese)
%anners maketh man.
(ource: (%hinese)
%any a good face is under a ragged hat.
(ource: (%hinese)
%any a little make a mickle.
(ource: (%hinese)
%any books do not use up words" many words do not use up thoughts.
(ource: (%hinese)
%arried couples tell each other a thousand things without speech.
(ource: (%hinese)
%arried couples who love each other tell each other a thousand things without talking.
(ource: (%hinese)
%edicine can only cure curable disease, and then not always.
(ource: (%hinese)
%en fated to be happy need not haste.
(ource: (%hinese)
%en in the game are blind to what men looking on see clearly.
(ource: (%hinese)
%en know not all their faults, o!en all their strength.
(ource: (%hinese)
%isfortune is not that which can be avoided, but that which cannot.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ature is better than a middling doctor.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ature, time and patience are the three great physicians.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ever answer a letter while you are angry.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ever argue with a man who buys ink by the barrel.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ever do anything standing that you can do sitting, or anything sitting that you can do lying
down.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ever try to catch two frogs with one hand.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ever write a letter while you are angry.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o matter how stout one beam, it cannot support a house.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o matter how tall the mountain, it cannot block out the sun.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o medicines can cure the vulgar man.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o melon-peddler cries< Bitter melons= 7o wine-dealer says< &our wine=
(ource: (%hinese)
7o mill, no meal.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o wind, no waves.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o wisdom like silence.
(ource: (%hinese)
7o wisdom to silence.
(ource: (%hinese)
7ot wine . . . men into!icate themselves" not vice . . . men entice themselves.
(ource: (%hinese)
0 eggs, never fight with stones=
(ource: (%hinese)
0 man, you who do not live a hundred years, why fret a thousand minutes*
(ource: (%hinese)
0f a dead leopard we keep the skin, of man his reputation.
(ource: (%hinese)
0f a good beginning cometh a good end.
(ource: (%hinese)
0f all meat in the world drink goes down the best.
(ource: (%hinese)
0f all the thirty-si! alternatives, running away is the best.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ften one finds one#s destiny just where one hides to avoid it.
(ource: (%hinese)
0n entering a country, ask what is forbidden, on entering a village, ask what are the customs,
on entering a private house, ask what should not be mentioned.
(ource: (%hinese)
0nce bitten by a snake, he is scared all his life at the mere sight of a rope.
(ource: (%hinese)
0nce on a tiger#s back it is hard to alight.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne can care little for man, but we need a friend.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne cannot manage too many affairs" like pumpkins in water, one pops up while you try to hold
down the other.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne dog barks at something, the rest bark at him.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne family builds the wall, two families enjoy it.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne generation plants the trees, another gets the shade.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne happiness scatters a thousand sorrows.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne joy shatters a hundred griefs.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne monk shoulders water by himself" two can still share the labor among them. :hen it
comes to three, they have to go thirsty.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne should be just as careful in choosing one#s pleasures as in avoiding calamities.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne step at a time is good walking.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne step at a time.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ne#s shadow grows larger than life when admired by the light of the moon.
(ource: (%hinese)
0nly he that has traveled the road knows where the holes are deep.
(ource: (%hinese)
0nly when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.
(ource: (%hinese)
0ut of a dog#s mouth will never come ivory tusks.
(ource: (%hinese)
0utside noisy, inside empty.
(ource: (%hinese)
;aper can#t wrap up a fire.
(ource: (%hinese)
;arents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.
(ource: (%hinese)
;atience and the mulberry leaf become a silk robe.
(ource: (%hinese)
;atience is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit.
(ource: (%hinese)
;atience is a plaister for all sores.
(ource: (%hinese)
;atience is a virtue.
(ource: (%hinese)
;atience is power" with time and patience the mulberry becomes silk.
(ource: (%hinese)
;eace and tranquility are a thousand gold pieces.
(ource: (%hinese)
;ick your inn before the dark" get on your road before the dawn.
(ource: (%hinese)
;lan your year in the spring, your day at dawn.
(ource: (%hinese)
;lant the crab-tree where you will it will never bear pippins.
(ource: (%hinese)
;leasures are shallow, sorrows deep.
(ource: (%hinese)
;oliteness wins the confidence of princes.
(ource: (%hinese)
;olitics makes strange bedfellows.
(ource: (%hinese)
;ractice no vice because it#s trivial" neglect no virtue because it#s so.
(ource: (%hinese)
;resent to the eye, present to the mind.
(ource: (%hinese)
;riests return to the temple, merchants to the shop.
(ource: (%hinese)
;ure gold does not fear the smelter.
(ource: (%hinese)
1aise your sail one foot and you get ten feet of wind.
(ource: (%hinese)
1are commodities are worth more than good.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ather once cry your heart out than always sigh.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ats know the way of rats.
(ource: (%hinese)
1eform a gambler . . . cure leprosy.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ein in the horse at the edge of the cliff.
(ource: (%hinese)
1eshape one#s foot to try to fit into a new shoe.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ich men accumulate money" the poor accumulate years.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ich not gaudy.
(ource: (%hinese)
1iches add to the house, virtues to the man.
(ource: (%hinese)
1iches< a dream in the night" fame< a gull floating on water.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ivers and mountains may change" human nature, never.
(ource: (%hinese)
1otten wood cannot be carved.
(ource: (%hinese)
1ule the roost.
(ource: (%hinese)
1unaway son, a shining jewel" runaway daughter, tarnished.
(ource: (%hinese)
&cholars talk books, butchers talk pigs.
(ource: (%hinese)
&choolmaster, stick to your books" farmer, to your pigs.
(ource: (%hinese)
&eeking fish* $on#t dive in the pond" go home and get a net.
(ource: (%hinese)
&ending charcoal in the snow is better than adding flowers to a brocade.
(ource: (%hinese)
&illy toad< planning a meal of goose=
(ource: (%hinese)
&it atop the mountain and watch the tigers fight.
(ource: (%hinese)
&lander cannot destroy an honest man< when the flood recedes the rock is there.
(ource: (%hinese)
&low in word, swift in deed.
(ource: (%hinese)
&ma# winnings mak a heavy purse.
(ource: (%hinese)
&mall ills are the fountains of most of our groans. %en trip not on mountains, they stumble on
stones.
(ource: (%hinese)
&mall is beautiful.
(ource: (%hinese)
&mall men think they are small" great men never know they are great.
(ource: (%hinese)
&o long as a man is angry he cannot be in the right.
(ource: (%hinese)
&o lovers, to their fair one fondly blind, ,#en on her ugliness with transport ga3e.
(ource: (%hinese)
&ome prefer carrots while others like cabbage.
(ource: (%hinese)
&ome roads aren#t meant to be travelled alone.
(ource: (%hinese)
&orrow is the child of too much joy.
(ource: (%hinese)
&our, sweet, bitter, pungent, all must be tasted.
(ource: (%hinese)
&teal a bell with one#s ears covered.
(ource: (%hinese)
&wiftest horse cannot overtake the word once spoken.
(ource: (%hinese)
+ake a second look" it costs you nothing.
(ource: (%hinese)
+alk does not cook rice.
(ource: (%hinese)
+eachers open the door. 2ou enter by yourself.
(ource: (%hinese)
+eaching others teacheth yourself.
(ource: (%hinese)
+emptation wrings integrity even as the thumbscrew twists a man#s fingers.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hatch your roof before rainy weather, dig your well before you become parched with thirst.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he best cure for drunkenness is whilst sober to observe a drunken person.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he best doctors are $r. $iet, $r, Buiet, and $r. %erryman.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he best memory is not so firm as faded ink.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he best soldiers are not warlike.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he best time to plant a tree was CD years ago. +he second best time is today.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he black dog gets the food" the white dog gets the blame.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he broad-minded see the truth in different religions" the narrow-minded see only the
differences.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he careful foot can walk anywhere.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he court official in one life has seven rebirths as a beggar.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he day your horse dies and your money#s lost, your relatives change to strangers.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he delicacy of the feast is the learned guest.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he devil can quote &cripture for his own ends.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he emperor is rich, but he cannot buy one e!tra year.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he error of one moment becomes the sorrow of a whole life.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he evening crowns the days.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he father in praising the son e!tols himself.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he fire you kindle for your enemy often burns yourself more than him.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he first half of the night, think of your own faults" the second half, the faults of others.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he first hen that cackles is the one that laid the egg.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he great question is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with failure.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he happiness in your pocket, don#t spend it all.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he harder you fall, the higher you bounce.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he hardest step is over the threshold.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he house with an old grandparent harbors a jewel.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he less power a man has, the more he likes to use it.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he loftiest towers rise from the ground.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he lone sheep is in danger of the wolf.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he man who comes with a talk about others has himself an a! to grind.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he man who does not learn is dark, like one walking in the night.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he man who wakes up and finds himself famous hasn#t been asleep.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he man will surely fail, who dares delay, And lose to-morrow that has lost to-day.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he mind is the emperor of the body.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he net of heaven is large and wide, but it lets nothing through.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he older the ginger, the more it bites.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he one who first resorts to violence shows that he has no more arguments.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he one who plants the tree is not the one who will enjoy its shade.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he one who understands does not speak, the one who speaks does not understand.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he palest ink is better than the best memory.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he path of duty lies in what is near at hand, but men seek for it in what is remote.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he pen can kill a man" no knife is needed.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he pen of the tongue should be dipped in the ink of the heart.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he peony is beautiful, yet it is supported by a stalk.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he pine stays green in winter, wisdom in hardship.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he pitcher doth not go so often to the well, but it comes home broken at last.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he remedy for dirt is soap and water. +he remedy for dying is living.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he remedy for love is--land between.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he rich man plans for tomorrow, the poor man for today.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he rose has thorns only for those who would gather it.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he saving man becomes the free man.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he sheep has no choice when in the jaws of the wolf.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he water that bears the ship is the same that engulfs it.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he way of a slothful man is as a hedge of thorns.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he weasel comes to say (4appy 7ew 2ear=( to the chickens.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he woman who tells her age is either too young to have anything to lose or too old to have
anything to gain.
(ource: (%hinese)
+he 2angt3e never runs backwards" man recaptures not his youth.
(ource: (%hinese)
+here are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.
(ource: (%hinese)
+here are two perfectly good men, one dead, and the other unborn.
(ource: (%hinese)
+here are two sides to every question.
(ource: (%hinese)
+here belongs more than whistling to going to plough.
(ource: (%hinese)
+here is no economy in going to bed early to save candles if the result is twins.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hink of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and the faults of others
the latter part of the night when you are asleep.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hose who despise money will eventually sponge on their friends.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hose who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men#s clothes.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hose who have free seats at a play hiss first.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hose who hear not the music think the dancers mad.
(ource: (%hinese)
+hough you live near a forest, do not waste firewood.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o attract good fortune, spend a new coin on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new
friend, and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o believe in one#s dreams is to spend all of one#s life asleep.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o forget one#s ancestor#s is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on
stepping.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o go beyond is as bad as to fall short.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o listen well is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well and is as essential to all true
conversation.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o meet an old friend in a distant country is like the delight of rain after a long drought.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o open a shop is easy, to keep it open is an art.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o persecute the unfortunate is like throwing stones on one fallen into a well.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o talk much and arrive nowhere is the same as climbing a tree to catch a fish.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o understand your parents# love bear your own children.
(ource: (%hinese)
+o violate the law is the same crime in the emperor as in the subject.
(ource: (%hinese)
+ransgressions should never be forgiven a third time.
(ource: (%hinese)
+wo barrels of tears will not heal a bruise.
(ource: (%hinese)
+wo good talkers are not worth one good listener.
(ource: (%hinese)
>nplowed fields make hollow bellies" unread books make hollow minds.
(ource: (%hinese)
>se power to curb power.
(ource: (%hinese)
?icious as a tigress can be, she never eats her own cubs.
(ource: (%hinese)
?ictory has hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan.
(ource: (%hinese)
?irtue becomes a wife" beauty becomes a concubine.
(ource: (%hinese)
?irtue is not left to stand alone.
(ource: (%hinese)
?irtue never dwells alone, it always has neighbors.
(ource: (%hinese)
?irtue practiced to be seen is not real virtue" vice which fears to be seen is real vice.
(ource: (%hinese)
?irtue< climbing a hill" vice< running down.
(ource: (%hinese)
?irtuous for ten years is still not enough" evil for one day is too much already.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ait long, strike fast.
(ource: (%hinese)
:aiting for a rabbit to hit upon a tree and be killed in order to catch it.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ant a thing long enough, and you don#t.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ater and words are easy to pour but impossible to recover.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ater that has reached its level does not flow.
(ource: (%hinese)
:e all like lamb" each has a different way of cooking it.
(ource: (%hinese)
:e are not so much concerned if you are slow as when you come to a halt.
(ource: (%hinese)
:e can study until old age and still not finish.
(ource: (%hinese)
:e forget even incense in easy times" come hard times, we embrace the Buddha#s feet.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ealth is but dung, useful only when spread.
(ource: (%hinese)
:eaving a net is better than praying for fish at the edge of the water.
(ource: (%hinese)
:edlock is a padlock.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hat is whispered in your ear is often heard a hundred miles off.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hat you cannot avoid, welcome.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen a large vessel has opened a way it is easy for a small one to follow.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen the cat is gone, the mice come out to stretch.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen the mantis hunts the locust, he forgets the shrike that#s hunting him.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen the tree dies, the grass underneath withers.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen the tree falls, the shadow flies.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen the tree waves, wind is stirring.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen you bow, bow low.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen you fall into a pit, you either die or get out.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen you have only two dollars left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a rose with
the other.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with
the other.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen you say one thing, the clever person understands three.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen you want to test the depths of a stream, don#t use both feet.
(ource: (%hinese)
:hen your horse in on the brink of a precipice, it is too late to pull the reins.
(ource: (%hinese)
:henever the water rises, the boat will rise too.
(ource: (%hinese)
:here a chest lieth open, a righteous man may sin.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ho is not satisfied with himself will grow" who is not sure of his own correctness will learn
many things.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ho rides a tiger cannot dismount.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ho teaches me for a day is my father for a lifetime.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ith money one may command devils" without it, one cannot even summon a man.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ith time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.
(ource: (%hinese)
:ithout rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ellow gold is plentiful compared to white-haired friends.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou burn incense before the god, and then topple him.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou buy land, you buy stones" you buy meat, you buy bones.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou can hardly make a friend in a year, but you can easily offend one in an hour.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou can#t catch a cub without going into the tiger#s den.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou can#t clap with one hand only.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou can#t e!pect both ends of a sugar cane to be as sweet.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou can#t fare well, but you must cry roast meat.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou can#t fill your belly painting pictures of bread.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou cannot draw white cloth from a dying vat.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou cannot hook trout* +ry digging clams.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou cannot lose what you never had.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them
from building nests in your hair.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou must have crossed the river before you may tell the crocodile he has bad breath.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou must scale the mountains if you would view the plain.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou think you#ve lost your horse* :ho knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou want no one to know it* +hen don#t do it.
(ource: (%hinese)
2ou won#t help shoots grow by pulling them up higher.
(ource: (%hinese)
2our fingers can#t be of the same length.
(ource: (%hinese)
A bird can roost but on one branch, a mouse can drin0 not more than its fill from a river.
Chinese Proverb
A diamond with a flaw is worth more than a pebble without imperfections.
Chinese Proverb
A dog in a 0ennel bar0s at his fleas< a dog hunting does not notice them.
Chinese Proverb
A hundred men may ma0e an encampment, but it ta0es a woman to ma0e a home.
Chinese Proverb
A man without a smiling face must not open shop.
Chinese Proverb
A murder may be forgiven, an affront never.
Chinese Proverb
A needle is not sharp at both ends.
Chinese Proverb
A young branch ta0es on all the bends that one gives it.
Chinese Proverb
Te not afraid of going slowly< be afraid only of standing still.
Chinese Proverb
Tefore dinner, let us e,plore the southern plains and climb the northern mountains. After
dinner, there are sna0es in the southern plains and tiger in the northern mountains.
Chinese Proverb
Tlessings do not come in pairs< misfortunes never come singly.
Chinese Proverb
:o not remove a fly from your friend's forehead with a hatchet.
Chinese Proverb
8very day cannot be a feast of lanterns.
Chinese Proverb
8,perience is a comb which nature gives us when we are bald.
Chinese Proverb
Uive a man a fish, and you feed him a day. (each a man to fish, and you feed him for a
lifetime.
Chinese Proverb
Uovern a family as you would coo0 a small fish 5 very gently.
Chinese Proverb
Uovern a small family as you would coo0 a small fish, very gently.
Chinese Proverb
=e who as0s is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not as0 remains a fool forever.
Chinese Proverb
=e who governs by his moral e,cellence may be compared to the Iole star which abides
in its place while all other stars bow towards it.
Chinese Proverb
=e who rides the tiger can never dismount.
Chinese Proverb
=e who would rise in the world should veil his ambition with the forms of humanity.
Chinese Proverb
I dreamed a thousand new paths... I wo0e and wal0ed my old one.
Chinese Proverb
I was angered, for I had no shoes. (hen I met a man who had no feet.
Chinese Proverb
If luc0 comes, who comes notV If luc0 comes not, who comesV
Chinese Proverb
It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun.
Chinese Proverb
It is not the 0nowing that is difficult, but the doing.
Chinese Proverb
Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
Chinese Proverb
Life is partly what we ma0e it, and partly what it is made by the friends whom we
choose.
Chinese Proverb
*en in the game are blind to what men loo0ing on see clearly.
Chinese Proverb
*en trip not on mountains they trip on molehills.
Chinese Proverb
/ot the cry, but the flight of the wild duc0, leads the floc0 to fly and follow.
Chinese Proverb
Gne man will carry two buc0ets of water for his own use, (wo men will carry one for
their 1oint use< (hree men will carry none for anybody's use.
Chinese Proverb
Gnly he that has traveled the road 0nows where the holes are deep.
Chinese Proverb
Irepare for calamity not yet in bud.
Chinese Proverb
Small men thin0 they are small< great men never 0now they are great.
Chinese Proverb
(he best soldiers are not warli0e.
Chinese Proverb
(he first time it is a favour, the second time a rule.
Chinese Proverb
(he Uods cannot help those who do not sei!e opportunities.
Chinese Proverb
(he man who stri0es first admits that his ideas have given out.
Chinese Proverb
(he old horse may die in someone's 0eeping.
Chinese Proverb
(he one legged never stumble.
Chinese Proverb
(he unluc0y doctor treats the head of a disease, the luc0y doctor its tail.
Chinese Proverb
(he wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to the pitcher.
Chinese Proverb
(here are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.
Chinese Proverb
(here is no one to sweep a common hall.
Chinese Proverb
(o 0now the road ahead, as0 those coming bac0.
Chinese Proverb
(o open a shop is easy, to 0eep it open is an art.
Chinese Proverb
Wirtue never dwells alone< it always has neighbours.
Chinese Proverb
Want a thing long enough and you don't
Chinese Proverb
When a finger points at the moon, the imbecile loo0s at the finger.
Chinese Proverb
When the butcher dies, do you thin0 we shall eat our por0 with the bristles onV
Chinese Proverb
When you bow, bow low.
Chinese Proverb
While one mil0s the ram, the other holds under the sieve.
Chinese Proverb
With money you are a dragon< with no money, a worm.
Chinese Proverb

Proverbs Annotation and Connotations: Go To Top

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Proverbs Annotation And Connotations

o Literally: A single member of a family eat, the whole family won't be

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