Chinese proverbs (谚语)

口服千句,不如心应一声 kǒufú qiānjù, bùrú xīnyìng yī shēng

a thousand verbal assents are not worth one answer from the heart

Being won over in your heart matters more than saying you agree. Said when persuading people sincerely.
口是风,笔是踪 kǒu shì fēng, bǐ shì zōng

the mouth is wind; the pen leaves tracks

Spoken words leave no proof, but writing does. Used to advise putting agreements in writing.
口是祸之门,舌为斩身刀 kǒushì huò zhī mén, shé wéi zhǎn shēn dāo

the mouth is the gate of disaster; the tongue is the blade that cuts the body

Careless speech brings trouble. A warning to watch your words. Like 'loose lips sink ships'.
口是心苗 kǒushì xīn miáo

the mouth is the sprout of the heart

What a person says reveals what they think.
苦海无边,回头是岸 kǔhǎiwúbiān, huítóushì'àn

the sea of suffering has no limit; turn your head and there is the shore

A Buddhist-derived plea to give up evil ways, since repentance is always possible. Used in urging wrongdoers to reform.
苦尽甘来是真福 kǔjìn gān lái shì zhēnfú

when the bitter is gone and the sweet comes, that is true happiness

Happiness earned through struggle is the real kind. Encouraging.
苦药利病,苦口利行 kǔyàolìbìng, kǔkǒulìxíng

bitter medicine helps cure illness; harsh words help conduct

Unwelcome advice does you good, as bitter medicine does. Used to urge accepting criticism.
快刀不磨是块铁 kuài dāo bù mó shì kuài tiě

a sharp knife left unhoned is just a lump of iron

Even a clever person won't achieve much without study and practice. Encouraging.
快刀不削自己的柄 kuài dāo bù xiāo zìjǐ de bǐng

a sharp knife doesn't whittle its own handle

People don't deliberately harm themselves or their own side.
快活光阴容易过 kuàihuo guāngyīn róngyì guò

happy times pass easily

When you are enjoying yourself time seems to fly. Like 'time flies when you're having fun'.
快马不用鞭催,响鼓不用重捶 kuàimǎ bùyòng biān cuī, xiǎng gǔ bùyòng zhòng chuí

a fast horse needs no whip; a loud drum needs no heavy beating

Self-motivated, capable people need no pushing. Often said to praise or to gently hint at trusting someone.
快马跑断腿 kuàimǎ pǎoduàn tuǐ

a fast horse runs its legs off

Capable people tend to be overworked. Said wryly.
筷子头打人最狠 kuàizitóu dǎ rén zuì hěn

hitting a person with the end of chopsticks is the cruelest

Luring someone into wrongdoing with food and drink is the most vicious trick. Cautionary.
狂风不竟日,暴雨不终朝 kuángfēng bù jìng rì, bàoyǔ bù zhōngzhāo

a fierce wind doesn't last all day, a violent rain doesn't last all morning

Violent forces do not last. It is said to console, or of evil powers that will fade and hard times that will pass.
亏心事莫做,枉法钱莫贪 kuīxīn shì mò zuò, wǎngfǎ qián mò tān

don't do things that weigh on your conscience, don't covet money gained by bending the law

Advice to stay honest and not do wrong or take bribes.
捆绑不成夫妻 kǔnbǎng bù chéng fūqī

tying people up won't make them husband and wife

Marriage must be freely chosen by both people and cannot be forced. Similar to 'you can't force love'.
困难九十九,难不倒两只手 kùnnan jiǔshíjiǔ, nán bù dǎo liǎng zhī shǒu

ninety-nine difficulties can't beat a pair of hands

However many difficulties there are, hard work will overcome them. Encouraging.
困难像弹簧,看你强不强 kùnnan xiàng tánhuáng, kàn nǐ qiáng bù qiáng

difficulty is like a spring: it depends how strong you are

Difficulties shrink if you push back strongly and grow if you give way. Encouraging.
拉弓不可拉满,赶人不可赶上 lāgōng bùkě lāmǎn, gǎn rén bùkě gǎnshàng

don't draw the bow fully, don't chase a person right down

Leave some leeway in everything. Pushing someone too hard will backfire.
腊七腊八,冻掉下巴 làqī làbā, dòngdiào xiàba

the seventh and eighth of the twelfth month freeze your chin off

Describes the coldest days of the year.
来得易,去得易 láide yì, qù de yì

easy to come, easy to go

Money or things got easily are not valued and are easily lost. Like 'easy come, easy go'.
来得早不如来得巧 lái de zǎo bùrú lái de qiǎo

arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right moment

Good timing matters more than being early.
来说是非者,就是是非人 láishuōshìfēizhě, jiùshì shìfēirén

the one who comes to tell you gossip is himself the gossip-maker

Someone who brings you talk about others is usually a troublemaker. Warning.
来有来源,去有去路 lái yǒu láiyuán, qù yǒu qùlù

what comes has a source, what goes has a way out

Sort out where things come from and where they go and affairs will run smoothly. Originally about managing water.
来者不惧,惧者不来 láizhěbùjù, jùzhěbùlái

those who come aren't afraid; those who are afraid don't come

People who take on a dangerous situation are not afraid of it. Approving of bravery.
来者不善,善者不来 láizhěbùshàn, shànzhěbùlái

one who comes is not friendly; a friendly one wouldn't come

A visitor who turns up probably means trouble, so be on guard. Like 'he who comes with a grudge...'.
癞狗扶不上墙 làigǒu fú bù shàng qiáng

A mangy dog can't be propped up onto the wall

Says a person of very poor character or ability can't be helped to succeed, however much support they get. Contemptuous. Close to "you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear".
懒惰两手空空,勤劳硕果累累 lǎnduò liǎng shǒu kōngkōng, qínláo shuòguǒ léiléi

Laziness: both hands empty; diligence: heavy loads of fruit

Says that laziness leaves you with nothing while hard work brings rich rewards. Used to encourage and teach.
懒驴上磨屎尿多 lǎnlǘ shàng mò shǐ niào duō

A lazy donkey at the mill makes lots of dung and urine

Scolds someone who makes excuses to dodge work, like a donkey stopping to relieve itself. Critical.

May offend: vulgar language
烂麻拧成绳,力量大千斤 lànmá níngchéng shéng, lìliàng dà qiān jīn

Rotten hemp twisted into rope has the strength of a thousand jin

Even weak individuals become very strong when united. Approving, encouraging teamwork. Close to "unity is strength".
烂泥糊不上墙,朽木当不了梁 lànní hú bù shàng qiáng, xiǔmù dàng bùliǎo liáng

Rotten mud can't be plastered on a wall; rotted wood can't serve as a beam

Says a person of poor calibre can't amount to anything important. Contemptuous.
烂眼睛招苍蝇 lànyǎnjing zhāo cāngying

Sore eyes attract flies

Says that trouble comes only because of one's own weakness or flaws.
狼披羊皮还是狼 láng pīyángpíhái shìláng

A wolf in sheep's skin is still a wolf

However well a bad person disguises themselves, their evil nature stays. Close to "a wolf in sheep's clothing".
狼披羊皮更阴险 lángpīyángpí gèngyīnxiǎn

A wolf wearing sheepskin is more treacherous

A disguised villain is more dangerous because the disguise lowers people's guard.
狼行千里吃肉,狗到天边吃屎 lángxíng qiān lǐ chī ròu, gǒu dào tiānbiān chī shǐ

A wolf travels a thousand li and eats meat; a dog goes to the ends of the earth and eats dung

Bad people can't change their nature. Scornful; similar to "a leopard can't change its spots".

May offend: vulgar language
浪从风来,草从根来 làngcóng fēng lái, cǎo cóng gēn lái

Waves come from the wind; grass comes from roots

Nothing happens without a cause; every event has its origin.
浪子回头金不换 làngzǐ huítóu jīn bù huàn

A prodigal son who turns back is worth more than gold

Praises a wayward person who reforms, as something very precious. Encouraging; close to the "prodigal son" idea.
劳动强筋骨,无病便是福 láodòng qiángjīngǔ, wúbìngbiàn shì fú

Labour strengthens sinews and bones; freedom from illness is itself fortune

Work keeps you fit, and being healthy is the greatest blessing. Used to encourage exercise and effort.
劳动人民两只手,工作起来样样有 láodòng rénmín liǎng zhī shǒu, gōngzuò qǐlái yàngyàng yǒu

Working people have two hands; once they set to work, everything appears

Honest labour can create wealth. Approving, praising workers.
老不拘礼,病不拘礼 lǎo bù jūlǐ, bìng bù jūlǐ

the old needn't stand on ceremony, the sick needn't stand on ceremony

Elderly and ill people are excused from strict etiquette because they are frail. Said kindly to let them off formalities.
老不舍心,少不舍力 lǎo bù shě xīn, shào bù shě lì

the old shouldn't spare their thought, the young shouldn't spare their strength

Older people should contribute ideas and advice, while young people should put in physical effort and do real work. Approving, a division of roles.
老不以筋骨为能 lǎo bùyǐjīngǔ wéinéng

the old don't count on sinew and bone as their ability

In old age one should stop relying on physical strength. It advises older people to work with experience rather than muscle.
老不与少争 lǎo bù yǔ shào zhēng

the old don't contend with the young

Older people should be tolerant and not quarrel with the young. It is said to urge patience and magnanimity.
老虎不在家,猴子称大王 lǎohǔ bù zài jiā, hóuzi chēng dàiwang

when the tiger is not at home, the monkey calls himself king

When the real leader or expert is absent, a mediocre person takes charge and poses as the boss. Mocking. Close to "When the cat's away, the mice will play."
老虎还有打盹儿的时候 lǎohǔ hái yǒu dǎdǔnr de shíhou

even a tiger has times when it dozes off

Even the sharpest, most capable person sometimes slips up or is caught off guard. Close to "Even Homer nods."
老虎嘴里掉不下肉,狐狸嘴里吐不出鸡 lǎohǔ zuǐ lǐ diào bùxià ròu, húli zuǐlǐ tǔbùchū jī

no meat drops from a tiger's mouth, no chicken comes out of a fox's mouth

Greedy people never give up any gain they have grabbed; their nature does not change. Critical.
老健春寒秋后热 lǎojiàn chūnhán qiūhòu rè

an old person's vigour, spring cold and post-autumn heat

An old person's apparent good health does not last, just as a late spring chill or a hot spell after autumn is brief. Cautionary.
老将出马,一个顶俩 lǎojiàng chūmǎ, yī gè dǐng liǎ

when the veteran general takes the field, one is worth two

An experienced older person is worth more than two younger ones. Approving, praising the value of experience.
老马识归途 lǎo mǎ shí guītú

the old horse knows the way home

An experienced person can guide others and show the way. Approving. Often said of veterans leading newcomers.
老怕丧子,少怕丧母 lǎo pà sàng zǐ, shào pà sàng mǔ

the old fear losing a son, the young fear losing a mother

The worst fortune for an old person is the early death of a son who would support them, and for a child the loss of the mother who raises them. Said with sympathy.
老人不讲古,后人没个谱儿 lǎorén bù jiǎng gǔ, hòurén méi gepǔr

if the old don't tell tales of the past, the young have no standard

If elders do not pass on past traditions and stories, the young lack guidance on how to act. It stresses the educational value of historical experience.
老嫂比母,小叔比儿 lǎo sǎo bǐ mǔ, xiǎoshū bǐ ér

an elder sister-in-law is like a mother, a younger brother-in-law is like a son

An older brother's wife and her much younger brother-in-law often have a bond like mother and son. Warm and approving.
老实常在,说空常败 lǎoshi chángzài, shuō kōng cháng bài

the honest endure, the empty talkers fail

Honest, decent people always keep their footing, while those who talk empty words will inevitably fail. Moralising.
老鼠爱打洞,坏人爱钻空 lǎoshǔ ài dǎdòng, huàirén ài zuānkòng

rats love digging holes, bad people love slipping through gaps

Exploiting loopholes is in the nature of bad people, as digging is for rats. Critical.
老鼠急了会咬猫 lǎoshǔ jíle huì yǎo māo

a cornered rat will bite the cat

When pushed to desperation, even the weak will do something drastic and reckless. A warning not to corner people. Like "Even a worm will turn."
老鼠养的猫不疼 lǎoshǔ yǎngde māo bù téng

the cat that a rat raised isn't pitied

People do not cherish what is not their own. Said of someone careless with others' property or a non-relative's child.
老乡见老乡,两眼泪汪汪 lǎoxiāng jiàn lǎoxiāng, liǎng yǎn lèiwāngwāng

when fellow villagers meet, both eyes brim with tears

People from the same home region who meet far from home are deeply moved. Often said warmly, or half-jokingly, of meeting someone from your hometown.
老鹰不吃窝下食 lǎoyīng bù chī wō xià shí

the eagle doesn't eat food under its own nest

A powerful person does not harm those around them, such as neighbours or their own people. Approving of restraint.
乐不可极，极乐生悲 lèbùkějí, jílèshēngbēi

joy must not reach its limit; extreme joy gives birth to sorrow

Don't carry pleasure to excess, because extreme happiness turns to sadness. A moral caution about moderation, like "what goes up must come down."
雷公不打笑脸人 léigōng bù dǎ xiàoliǎn rén

the Thunder God doesn't strike a smiling face

Even an angry or fierce person will not lash out at someone who greets them with a smile. Often used to advise being polite and conciliatory.
累死十个庄稼汉，抵不上一个好媳妇 lèisǐ shí gè zhuāngjiahàn, dǐ bùshàng yī gèhǎo xífù

working ten farmers to death is not worth one good wife

A thrifty, capable housewife does more for a family's prosperity than the hard labour of several men. Traditional and approving, but it casts the wife in a household role.

May offend: sexist or sexual
冷练三九，热练三伏 lěngliàn sānjiǔ, rèliàn sānfú

train in the coldest nine-day period, train in the hottest dog days

To master a skill, keep practising through bitter cold and scorching heat. Approving, encouraging perseverance.
冷水要人挑，热水要人烧 lěng shuǐ yào rén tiāo, rèshuǐ yào rén shāo

cold water needs someone to carry it, hot water needs someone to boil it

Even simple chores need someone to do them, so everyone has to pitch in. Said to urge people to take on small tasks.
冷汤冷饭好吃，冷言冷语难听 lěng tāng lěng fàn hǎochī, lěngyán lěngyǔ nántīng

cold soup and cold rice are edible, cold words are hard to hear

Sarcastic, cutting remarks hurt more than physical hardship. Said to warn against unkind words.
离家三里远，别是一乡风 lí jiā sān lǐ yuǎn, bié shì yī xiāng fēng

three li from home, it's another village's customs

Even a short distance away, local customs differ. Said to encourage respect for local ways.
离家一里，不如屋里 lí jiāyī lǐ, bùrú wūlǐ

one li away from home is not as good as being inside the house

Home is the most comfortable and safest place, even compared with being just a short way out. Usually said as 出外一里，不如家里.
篱笆扎得紧，野狗钻不进 líba zhādé jǐn, yěgǒu zuān bù jìn

if the fence is tied tight, a stray dog can't squeeze in

If your defences are tight, bad people have no opening. It urges taking precautions first. Close to 'prevention is better than cure'.
礼多必有诈 lǐ duō bì yǒu zhà

too many courtesies must hide a trick

Excessive politeness or lavish gifts usually mean the person has an ulterior motive. Said warily or suspiciously.
礼多人不怪 lǐ duō rén bù guài

with more courtesy, no one blames you

Being extra polite never offends anyone, so it is safer to err on the side of courtesy. Said in an approving, friendly tone, and it contrasts with 礼多必有诈.
里言不出，外言不入 lǐ yánbù chū, wàiyán bùrù

words inside don't go out, words outside don't come in

If no one spreads a family's troubles, outsiders won't gossip about them. It advises keeping private matters within the household.
理不短，嘴不软 lǐ bù duǎn, zuǐ bù ruǎn

if your reason isn't short, your mouth isn't soft

When you are in the right, you speak with confidence and firmness.
理还理，情还情，黑白要分明 lǐ huán lǐ, qíng huán qíng, hēibái yào fēnmíng

reason is reason, feeling is feeling, black and white must be clear

Keep principle and personal feelings separate and do not let one muddy the other. Said when someone should be fair despite personal ties.
理亏心虚，理屈词穷 lǐkuīxīnxū, lǐqūcíqióng

in the wrong, the heart is uneasy; reason bent, words run out

A person who is in the wrong feels uneasy and has nothing to say in defence.
理怕来回想 lǐ pà láihuí xiǎng

reason fears being thought over back and forth

Truth becomes clear when you think a matter over again and again. It encourages reflection.
理直千人必往，心亏寸步难移 lǐ zhí qiānrén bì wǎng, xīnkuī cùnbùnányí

if reason is straight, you'll go among a thousand people; if the heart is guilty, you can hardly move an inch

Someone in the right is bold anywhere, while someone with a guilty conscience is afraid wherever they go.
鲤鱼找鲤鱼，鲫鱼找鲫鱼 lǐyú zhǎo lǐyú, jìyú zhǎo jìyú

carp look for carp, crucian carp look for crucian carp

People of the same kind naturally gather together. Close to 'birds of a feather flock together'.
力敌不如智取 lì dí bùrú zhìqǔ

matching strength is not as good as winning by wit

Using brains beats brute force. Said in approval of clever tactics.
力贱得人敬，口贱得人憎 lì jiàn dé rén jìng, kǒu jiàn dérén zēng

cheap with effort, win people's respect; cheap with the mouth, win people's hatred

Someone who works hard to help others is welcomed, while someone who stands by talking idly is disliked.
力能胜贫，谨能胜祸 lì néng shèng pín, jǐn néng shèng huò

effort can overcome poverty, caution can overcome disaster

Hard work lifts you out of poverty and careful conduct avoids misfortune. It is an encouraging piece of advice.
立得正，不怕影子歪 lì de zhèng, bù pà yǐngzi wāi

if you stand straight, you needn't fear a crooked shadow

If you act honestly, you need not worry about rumours or suspicion. Close to 'a clear conscience fears no accusation'.
利刀藏在鞘里 lì dāo cáng zài qiào li

a sharp knife is kept in its sheath

A truly capable person does not show off their skill. Approving.
利刀劈不断水 lì dāo pī bùduàn shuǐ

a sharp knife can't cut water in two

Used of feelings that are hard to sever, or of a wrong method that cannot get the job done.
脸丑怪不着镜子 liǎn chǒu guài bù zháo jìngzi

an ugly face can't blame the mirror

When you are the one at fault, don't blame others. A reproachful saying; the ugly face is a figure for one's own faults.
练兵必先练心 liànbīngbìxiānliàn xīn

to train soldiers, first train their minds

Training troops must begin with their thinking and morale. More broadly, motivation and mindset come first.
良田不如良佃 liángtián bùrú liáng tián

good fields are not as good as a good tenant farmer

A skilled and diligent worker matters more than favourable conditions. Human effort outweighs circumstances.
良言一句三冬暖，恶语伤人六月寒 liángyán yī jù sāndōngnuǎn, èyǔshāng rén liùyuè hán

one kind word warms three winter months; a cruel word chills one in June

Kind words comfort even in hard times, while hurtful words wound deeply. It urges speaking kindly.
良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行 liángyàokǔkǒu lìyú bìng, zhōngyánnì'ěr lìyú xíng

good medicine is bitter to the mouth but helps the illness; honest advice grates on the ear but helps conduct

Useful advice may be unpleasant to hear but is good for you. Close to 'a bitter pill to swallow' in spirit.
梁园虽好，不是久恋之乡 liángyuán suī hǎo, bù shì jiǔ liàn zhī xiāng

the Liang Garden is lovely, but not a land to linger in

However pleasant a place away from home may be, it is not where you should settle. Home is where you belong.
两斗皆仇，两和皆友 liǎngdòujiēchóu, liǎnghéjiēyǒu

if both fight, both become enemies; if both make peace, both become friends

Quarrelling makes enemies and getting along makes friends. It stresses that harmony is precious.
两姑之间难为妇 liǎng gū zhījiān nán wéi fù

between two 'gu' it is hard to be the wife

Being caught between two powers or parties is a hard place to be. It originally referred to a wife stuck between her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Close to 'caught between a rock and a hard place'.
两国交兵，不斩来使 liǎngguójiāobīng, bùzhǎnláishǐ

when two countries fight, they do not kill the envoy

Even enemies should respect messengers. It states the principle of equal treatment in diplomacy. Close to 'don't shoot the messenger'.
两好合一好 liǎng hǎo hé yī hǎo

two goods combine into one good

If both sides are willing to make peace, they can get past their differences and get along well.
两虎相斗，必有一伤 liǎnghǔxiāngdòu, bìyǒuyīshāng

when two tigers fight, one must be hurt

When two strong rivals clash, at least one will suffer. A warning against conflict.
两军相遇，勇者胜 liǎngjūnxiāngyù, yǒngzhě shèng

when two armies meet, the brave win

When forces are evenly matched, the side that fights most bravely wins. Encourages courage.
两鸟在林，不如一鸟在手 liǎng niǎo zài lín, bùrú yīniǎo zài shǒu

two birds in the forest are not as good as one bird in the hand

A sure small gain is better than an uncertain bigger one. Matches the English 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'.
两相情愿，好结亲眷 liǎngxiāngqíngyuàn, hǎo jié qīnjuàn

when both are willing, a good marriage connection can be made

A marriage is happy only if both sides agree. More broadly, an arrangement should be voluntary on both sides.
两雄不能并立 liǎng xióng bù néng bìnglì

two heroes cannot stand side by side

Two strong rivals can't share power or coexist peacefully. Dated or bookish.
量大福也大，机深祸也深 liàng dà fú yě dà, jī shēn huò yě shēn

great capacity, great fortune; deep scheming, deep disaster

A generous, tolerant person will be blessed, while a scheming person who plots against others will bring disaster on himself. Advises sincerity and tolerance.
量入为出，细水长流 liàngrùwéichū, xìshuǐchángliú

measure income to set spending; a thin stream flows long

Plan your spending according to your income, and you can keep going for the long term. Advice on thrift.
量小非君子，无毒不丈夫 liàng xiǎo fēi jūnzǐ, wú dú bù zhàngfū

small capacity is no gentleman; without venom, no real man

A petty person is no gentleman, and one who is not ruthless to enemies is no great man. Be generous to friends and firm against foes. Often quoted cynically to justify ruthlessness.

Every kind of Chinese saying