Chinese proverbs (谚语)

迷而知返，得道不远 mí ér zhī fǎn, dé dào bù yuǎn

lost but knowing to turn back, not far from finding the way

If you realise you've gone wrong and turn back in time, you are close to the right path. Said to encourage someone to correct a mistake quickly. Close to 'It's never too late to mend.'
蜜多不甜，油多不香 mì duō bù tián, yóu duō bù xiāng

too much honey isn't sweet, too much oil isn't fragrant

People who live in too much comfort stop appreciating happiness. Mild warning against excess.
蜜罐里熬不出硬骨头 mì guàn li áo bù chū yìng gǔtou

a honey jar can't brew a hard bone

Growing up in too much comfort doesn't produce strong-willed people. Said critically of pampered young people.
民非水火不生活 mín fēi shuǐhuǒ bù shēnghuó

people can't live without water and fire

Ordinary people can't survive without the basic necessities of water and fire.
民心不可侮 mínxīn bùkě wǔ

the people's hearts must not be insulted

The will of the people must not be offended or ignored. Said as a warning to rulers.
民以食为天 mín yǐ shí wéi tiān

the people take food as heaven

Food is the most basic need for people; nothing matters more. Often said to stress food supply or enjoy a meal.
名师出高徒 míngshī chū gāotú

famous teachers produce excellent students

A good teacher tends to produce outstanding pupils. Approving.
明白人不说糊涂话 míngbai rén bù shuō hútu huà

a clear-headed person doesn't talk nonsense

Someone who understands things won't say unreasonable things. Often used to urge someone to speak sensibly.
明镜所以照形，古事所以知今 míngjìng suǒyǐ zhào xíng, gǔ shì suǒyǐ zhī jīn

a bright mirror is for reflecting your form; ancient events are for understanding the present

Just as a mirror shows your appearance, history helps you understand today. Encourages the study of history.
明枪易躲，暗箭难防 míngqiāngyìduǒ, ànjiànnánfáng

an open spear is easy to dodge, an arrow from the dark is hard to guard against

Open attacks are easy to handle, but hidden ones are hard to guard against. Used to warn about secret backstabbing.
明人不说暗话 míngrén bù shuō ànhuà

an honest person doesn't speak in the dark

An upright person speaks openly and frankly. Often said to introduce a candid statement.
明人不做暗事 míngrén bù zuò ànshì

an honest person doesn't do things in the dark

An upright person doesn't do shady things behind people's backs.
明人自断，愚人官断 míngrén zìduàn, yúrén guānduàn

the wise judge themselves, the foolish are judged by the court

A wise person recognises and corrects their own errors; a fool persists until the law steps in.
明日复明日，明日何其多 míngrì fù míngrì, míngrì hé qí duō

tomorrow after tomorrow, how many tomorrows there are

A warning against procrastination: always putting things off until tomorrow wastes time. Echoes 'Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.'
明月不常圆，好花容易落 míng yuè bù cháng yuán, hǎo huā róngyì luò

the bright moon isn't always full, good flowers easily fall

Good things don't last forever; everything changes. Wistful.
命薄一张纸，勤俭饿不死 mìng bó yī zhāng zhǐ, qínjiǎn è bù sǐ

fate thin as a sheet of paper, but the diligent and thrifty won't starve

Whatever your luck, hard work and thrift will keep you alive and fed. Encouraging.
摸着石头过河 mōzhe shítou guò hé

cross the river by feeling the stones

Advance cautiously by trying things out and learning from experience, without a ready plan. Often used of gradual reform.
磨刀不误砍柴工 mó dāo bù wù kǎn chái gōng

sharpening the knife doesn't delay the wood-cutting

Time spent on preparation pays off in efficiency. Like 'a stitch in time' or 'sharpen the axe first.'
磨墨如病夫，握管如壮士 mó mò rú bìngfū, wò guǎn rú zhuàngshì

grind ink like an invalid, grip the brush like a strong man

Grind the ink slowly and gently, but hold the brush firmly when writing. A calligraphy tip.

May offend: mocks disability
魔高一尺，道高一丈 mógāoyīchǐ, dàogāoyīzhàng

if the demon rises a foot, the Way rises ten feet

However strong evil becomes, righteousness will overcome it. Often used to say that countermeasures will beat tricksters, though it can also be used playfully for one-upmanship.
莫道君行早，更有早行人 mò dào jūn xíng zǎo, gèng yǒu zǎo xíng rén

don't say you set out early; there are others who set out earlier

Don't be smug about being ahead, because someone is always further ahead. A warning against complacency, close to 'there's always someone better'.
莫看强盗吃肉，要看强盗受罪 mò kàn qiángdào chīròu, yào kàn qiángdào shòuzuì

don't watch the bandit eat meat; watch the bandit suffer

Wrongdoers may flourish for a while, but they will be punished in the end. Said to comfort people or warn them against crime.
莫生懒惰意，休起怠荒心 mò shēng lǎnduò yì, xiū qǐ dàihuāng xīn

don't let idle thoughts arise, don't raise a slack, neglectful heart

Be diligent and don't let thoughts of laziness or slacking creep in. A moral exhortation.
莫贪意外财 mò tān yìwài cái

don't covet unexpected wealth

Don't be greedy for money that comes from dubious or unearned sources. A warning, similar to 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is'.
莫言家未成，成家子未生；莫言家未破，破家子未大 mò yán jiā wèi chéng, chéngjiā zǐ wèi shēng; mò yán jiā wèi pò, pòjiā zǐ wèi dà

don't say the family isn't made yet, the son who will make it isn't born; don't say the family isn't ruined yet, the son who will ruin it hasn't grown up

A family's rise or fall depends on its next generation. Don't assume the future is far off, because the children who will build or wreck it may already be on the way.
谋大事者不惜小费 móudàshìzhě bù xī xiǎofèi

one who plans great affairs doesn't begrudge small expenses

Those aiming at big goals don't haggle over small costs. Said to justify spending or sacrifice. Close to 'you have to spend money to make money'.
谋事在人，成事在天 móushìzàirén, chéngshìzàitiān

planning matters is up to people, completing them is up to heaven

People can make plans and effort, but success depends on fate. Often said to accept an outcome. Close to 'man proposes, God disposes'.
牡丹虽好，全仗绿叶扶持 mǔdan suī hǎo, quán zhàng lǜyè fúchí

the peony is lovely, but depends entirely on green leaves to support it

Even a talented or prominent person needs helpers. Said to stress the value of support. Close to 'no man is an island'.
木偶不会自己跳，幕后定有牵线人 mù'ǒu bù huì zìjǐ tiào, mùhòu dìng yǒu qiānxiàn rén

a puppet can't dance by itself; there must be a string-puller behind the curtain

When a foolish person does bad things, someone is surely behind them directing it. Critical.
木无本必枯，水无源必竭 mù wú běn bì kū, shuǐ wú yuán bì jié

a tree without roots must wither, water without a source must run dry

Without its root or origin, a thing will die out. Said to stress the importance of one's foundations.
木朽虫生，墙裂蚁入 mù xiǔ chóngshēng, qiángliè yǐ rù

when wood rots, worms appear; when a wall cracks, ants get in

Trouble arrives only where there is a weakness of one's own. Close to 'where there's a weak spot, trouble finds a way in'.
木有本，水有源 mù yǒu běn, shuǐ yǒu yuán

trees have roots, water has a source

Everything has an origin, so remember where you came from. Same sense as 'a tree without roots must wither'.
拿得住的是手，掩不住的是口 ná de zhù de shì shǒu, yǎn bù zhù de shì kǒu

what you can hold is the hand; what you can't cover is the mouth

You can't stop people from talking. Said when gossip or criticism can't be silenced.
拿人家手短，吃人家嘴软 ná rénjia shǒuduǎn, chī rénjia zuǐruǎn

take from others and your hand is short; eat from others and your mouth is soft

If you accept gifts or meals from people, you can't stand firm against them. Used about bribery and favours. Close to 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'.
拿衣捉领，张网提纲 ná yī zhuō lǐng, zhāng wǎng tí gāng

to hold a garment, grasp the collar; to spread a net, lift the main rope

To solve a problem, grasp the key point. Said as advice on method.
哪得长远心的人 nǎ dé chángyuǎn xīn de rén

where do you find people with a long-term heart

Few people think far ahead, so one should make long-term plans. Used as a lament or reminder.
哪个腹中无算盘 nǎge fù zhōng wú suànpán

whose belly has no abacus

Everyone has their own calculations and opinions. Said to say that people look after their own interests.
哪个猫儿不吃腥 nǎge māor bù chī xīng

which cat doesn't eat fishy food

Said of people, especially greedy or lecherous ones, who can't give up their old bad habits when temptation appears. Mocking; close to 'a leopard can't change its spots'.
哪个人前不说人 nǎgè rén qián bù shuō rén

who doesn't talk about others in front of people

Says that everyone gossips about other people when in company. Used wryly to shrug off gossip or excuse it.
哪个人也不全，哪个车轮也不圆 nǎge rén yě bù quán, nǎge chēlún yě bù yuán

no person is complete, no wheel is perfectly round

Nobody is perfect; everyone has some flaws. Said to excuse faults or to ask for tolerance, like 'nobody's perfect'.
哪里跌倒哪里爬 nǎli diēdǎo nǎli pá

where you fall, there you get up

If you make a mistake or fail somewhere, put it right or recover in that same place. Encouraging, like 'get back on the horse'.
哪里黄土不埋人 nǎli huángtǔ bù mái rén

where does yellow earth not bury people

A person can be buried anywhere, so one need not stay in one's home place until death; one should be ready to make a life anywhere. Encouraging to those leaving home.
男大当婚，女大当嫁 nán dà dāng hūn, nǚ dà dāng jià

when a man is grown he should marry, when a woman is grown she should wed

Once men and women reach marriageable age they should marry and set up a family. Traditional, often said by parents urging marriage.
男儿当自强 nán'ér dāng zìqiáng

a man should strengthen himself

A man should be self-reliant and strive hard to improve. Encouraging, with a traditional gendered view.
男儿膝下有黄金 nán'ér xī xià yǒu huángjīn

beneath a man's knees there is gold

A man should have self-respect and not kneel or beg readily to others. Approving of dignity; traditionally gendered.
男人三十一枝花 nánrén sānshí yī zhī huā

a man of thirty is a branch of flowers

A man around thirty is in his prime, the best period of life. Approving, often said in compliment or cheer.
男人无刚，不如粗糠 nánrén wú gāng, bùrú cū kāng

a man without firmness is worse than coarse chaff

A man without a strong character will amount to nothing. Strongly critical and traditionally gendered.
男要勤，女要勤，三时茶饭不求人 nán yào qín, nǚ yào qín, sān shí cháfàn bù qiúrén

men must be diligent, women must be diligent, then three meals a day need not beg others

If everyone in a household works hard, they will live well and not need anyone's help. Encourages diligence.
男子汉头上三把火 nánzǐhàn tóu shang sān bǎ huǒ

a real man has three fires on his head

A man should have a fiery, forceful temper and spirit. Approving of spirit, traditional gender view.
男子汉志在四方 nánzǐhàn zhì zài sìfāng

a man's ambition lies in the four directions

A man should have lofty goals and be ready to go far from home to pursue them. Approving, traditionally gendered.
难者不会，会者不难 nánzhě bù huì, huìzhě bù nán

the difficult is for those who can't; for those who can, it isn't difficult

Things seem hard only when you don't know how; once you've mastered them they are easy. Encourages learning.
恼一恼，老一老；笑一笑，少一少 nǎo yī nǎo, lǎo yī lǎo; xiào yī xiào, shào yī shào

get angry once, age once; laugh once, grow younger once

Anger ages you while laughter keeps you young. Advice to stay cheerful.
嫩草怕霜霜怕日，恶人自有恶人磨 nèn cǎo pà shuāng shuāng pà rì, èrén zì yǒu èrén mó

tender grass fears frost, frost fears the sun; a wicked person will be ground down by another wicked person

A villain will meet someone even tougher who brings him down. Said with satisfaction; like 'there's always a bigger fish'.
嫩姜没有老姜辣 nèn jiāng méiyǒu lǎo jiāng là

young ginger isn't as hot as old ginger

The experienced are shrewder and more capable than the young. Usually said as 姜是老的辣.
能吃苦方为志士，肯吃亏不是痴人 néng chīkǔ fāng wéi zhìshì, kěn chīkuī bù shì chīrén

only one who can endure hardship is a man of ideals; one willing to take a loss is no fool

People with ambition can bear hardship, and someone willing to lose out isn't necessarily stupid. Approving.
能人背后有能人 néngrén bèihòu yǒu néngrén

behind a capable person there's another capable person

However skilled you are, someone is more skilled; stay humble. Like 'there's always someone better'.
能忍者自安 néngrěnzhě zì ān

one who can forbear is naturally at peace

Being patient and yielding brings peace for oneself. Advice to hold one's temper.
能言者未必能行，能行者未必能言 néngyánzhě wèibì néng xíng, néngxíngzhě wèibì néng yán

those who can talk may not be able to do; those who can do may not be able to talk

Talkers aren't necessarily doers, nor doers talkers; so use each person's strengths and don't demand perfection.
能硬能软，才是好汉 néng yìng néng ruǎn, cái shì hǎohàn

able to be hard and able to be soft: that's a true hero

A capable person judges the situation and knows when to be firm and when to yield. Approving.
泥捏人也要有时间晒干 níniērén yě yào yǒu shíjiān shàigān

even a clay figure needs time to dry in the sun

Training talent takes time; don't rush.
泥人还有个土性子 nírén hái yǒu ge tǔ xìngzi

even a clay figure has an earthy temper

Everyone has a temper or character of their own; push anyone too far and they'll react. Like 'even a worm will turn'.
你敬他一尺，他敬你一丈 nǐ jìng tā yī chǐ, tā jìng nǐ yī zhàng

you honour him a foot, he honours you ten feet

Respect others and you will get even more respect in return. Approving advice on courtesy.
你有你的佛法，我有我的道行 nǐ yǒu nǐ de fófǎ, wǒ yǒu wǒ de dàoheng

you have your Buddhist power, I have my Taoist skill

Each side has its own methods and abilities, and neither fears the other. Said defiantly in a contest or confrontation.
你有你的关门计，我有我的跳墙法 nǐ yǒu nǐ de guānmén jì, wǒ yǒu wǒ de tiàoqiáng fǎ

you have your plan of shutting the door, I have my way of jumping the wall

However you plan to block me, I will find a way around it. Said of two sides outwitting each other. Close to 'Where there's a will, there's a way'.
你有七算，人家有八算 nǐ yǒu qī suàn, rénjiā yǒu bā suàn

you have seven calculations, others have eight

However cleverly you scheme, someone else can out-scheme you. Used to warn people against being too clever and plotting against others.
你有千般计，我有老主意 nǐ yǒu qiānbān jì, wǒ yǒu lǎo zhǔyì

you have a thousand schemes, I have my old plan

Whatever you say or do, I will not change my mind. Said by someone who stays firm and unmoved; it can sound stubborn or shrewdly steady.
逆水行舟，不进则退 nìshuǐxíngzhōu, bùjìnzétuì

a boat going against the current: if it doesn't advance, it drifts back

If you don't keep striving, you fall behind. Said in an encouraging, approving way about study, work and progress. Similar to 'If you're not moving forward, you're moving backward'.
溺爱者不明，贪得者无厌 nì'àizhě bù míng, tāndézhě wú yàn

the one who dotes blindly is not clear-sighted; the one who is greedy is never satisfied

Spoiling someone clouds your judgment of right and wrong, and greedy people never have enough. A moral warning on two failings.
年纪不饶人 niánjì bù ráo rén

age does not spare people

As people grow old, they can no longer do what they once did. Said with a sigh about declining strength. Similar to 'Age catches up with everyone'.
年年防歉，夜夜防贼 niánnián fáng qiàn, yèyè fáng zéi

guard against a poor harvest every year, guard against thieves every night

Stay alert to disaster and theft all the time and never relax. Urges foresight and constant caution.
年年有储存，荒年不慌人 niánnián yǒu chǔcún, huāngnián bù huāng rén

store up every year, and a famine year won't panic you

If you save money and grain in ordinary times, hard times won't alarm you. Similar to 'Save for a rainy day'.
年幼贪玩儿，老来提篮儿 niányòu tānwánr, lǎo lái tí lánr

play too much when young, carry a basket (to beg) when old

If you waste your youth on play instead of useful work, you will be poor in old age. A warning to the young.
娘家住不老，亲戚饭吃不饱 niángjia zhù bù lǎo, qīnqi fàn chī bù bǎo

you can't stay in your parents' home until old, you can't eat your fill at a relative's table

A daughter can't live at her parents' home all her life, and no one can rely on relatives for long. It urges self-reliance.
鸟无头不飞 niǎo wú tóu bù fēi

birds do not fly without a head

A group needs a leader to act. Similar to 'A ship needs a captain'.
宁拆七座庙，不破一门婚 nìng chāi qī zuò miào, bù pò yī mén hūn

better to tear down seven temples than to break up one marriage

Wrecking someone's marriage is a grave wrong. Used to discourage breaking up couples.
宁吃过头饭，莫说过头话 nìng chī guòtóu fàn, mòshuō guòtóu huà

better to overeat than to overstate

Eating a bit too much matters little, but exaggerating does. Advises being measured and truthful.
宁吃鲜桃儿一口，不吃烂杏儿一筐 nìng chī xiāntáor yī kǒu, bù chī làn xìngr yī kuāng

better one bite of a fresh peach than a basket of rotten apricots

Prefer a little of good quality to a lot of poor stuff. Similar to 'Quality over quantity'.
宁当鸡头，不做凤尾 nìng dāng jītóu, bù zuò fèngwěi

better to be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail

Better to lead in a small place than to follow in a big one. Similar to 'Better to be a big fish in a small pond'.
宁当有日筹无日，莫待无时思有时 nìng dāng yǒu rì chóu wú rì, mò dài wú shí sī yǒu shí

better to plan in days of plenty for days of none, than to recall plenty when there is none

Budget and save while you are comfortable instead of regretting it when you are broke.
宁给饥人一口，不送富人一斗 nìng gěi jīrén yī kǒu , bù sòng fùrén yī dǒu

better to give a hungry person a mouthful than to send a rich man a bushel

Help people when they are in real need rather than flatter the well-off.
宁跟明白人打一架，不跟糊涂人说句话 nìng gēn míngbai rén dǎ yī jià, bù gēn hútu rén shuō jù huà

better to fight a sensible person than say a word to a muddled one

Deal with reasonable people, even in conflict, and avoid those who won't listen to reason. Somewhat humorous and exaggerated.
宁进一步死，毋退一尺生 nìng jìn yī bù sǐ, wú tuì yī chǐ shēng

better to die a step forward than to live a foot back

In matters of principle, die with honour rather than retreat to save yourself. Solemn and heroic.
宁可卖了悔，休要悔了卖 nìngkě màile huǐ, xiū yào huǐle mài

better to regret having sold than to regret and then sell

If the price is about right, sell, even if you might regret it, instead of holding on and later selling at a cut price.
宁可折本，不可饿损 nìngkě shéběn, bùkě èsǔn

better lose capital than starve yourself

A business loss is acceptable but ruining your health is not. Health is your real capital.
宁可无了有，不可有了无 nìngkě wúle yǒu, bùkě yǒule wú

better to go from having nothing to having something than from having to having nothing

Poor then rich is easier to bear than rich then poor.
宁可无钱，不可无耻 nìngkě wú qián, bùkě wúchǐ

better to have no money than to have no shame

Poverty is better than disgrace; integrity matters most. Approving moral maxim.
宁可一不是，不可两无情 nìngkě yī bùshi, bùkě liǎng wúqíng

better one party be in the wrong than both lose all feeling

Be forgiving: even if the other side is at fault, don't retaliate and destroy the relationship.
宁可自食其力，不可坐吃山空 nìngkě zìshíqílì, bùkě zuòchīshānkōng

better to live by your own labour than to sit and eat until the mountain is empty

Work for your living, because idle consumption exhausts even a huge fortune. Similar to 'Idleness consumes a fortune'.
宁可做小事，不可不做事 nìngkě zuò xiǎo shì, bùkě bù zuòshì

better to do small things than to do nothing

If you can't do great things, still do something useful. Encouraging.
宁弃千军，不弃寸地 nìng qì qiān jūn, bù qì cùndì

better to lose a thousand troops than give up an inch of land

Defending territorial integrity comes above all. Patriotic and military in tone.
宁绕十步远，不走一步险 nìng rào shí bù yuǎn , bù zǒu yī bù xiǎn

better to detour ten steps than walk one dangerous step

Be cautious and avoid needless risk. Similar to 'Better safe than sorry'.
宁舍千亩地，不吃哑巴亏 nìng shě qiān mǔ dì, bù chī yǎbakuī

better to give up a thousand mu of land than swallow a dumb man's loss

Better to take an open, acknowledged loss than be wronged in silence with no way to protest.
宁失一人喜，不结千人怨 nìng shī yī rén xǐ, bù jié qiān rén yuàn

better to lose one person's pleasure than earn a thousand people's resentment

Don't please one person at the expense of many; consider the majority's interest.
宁为太平犬，莫作离乱人 nìng wéi tàipíng quǎn, mò zuò líluàn rén

better a dog in peacetime than a person in a time of chaos

Life in war and upheaval is extremely wretched, worse than a dog's in peace.
宁为玉碎，不为瓦全 nìngwéiyùsuì, bùwéiwǎquán

better to be jade smashed than tile kept whole

Better to die with honour than live in disgrace. Solemn and approving.
宁养一条龙，不养十只熊 nìng yǎng yī tiáo lóng, bù yǎng shí zhī xióng

better to raise one dragon than ten bears

One outstanding person is worth more than ten mediocre ones.
宁愿站着死，决不跪着生 nìngyuàn zhànzhe sǐ, jué bù guìzhe shēng

I would rather die standing than live on my knees

Better to die for a just cause than live in humiliation. Defiant, heroic.
宁在人前全不会，不在人前会不全 nìng zài rén qián quán bù huì, bù zài rén qián huì bù quán

better to say you know nothing before others than to know things only partially

Admitting ignorance is no shame, but pretending to know and showing off is. Advises humility.
宁治十男子，莫治一妇人；宁治十妇人，莫治一小儿 nìng zhì shí nánzǐ, mò zhì yī fùrén; nìng zhì shí fùrén, mò zhì yī xiǎo'ér

better to treat ten men than one woman; better to treat ten women than one child

An old medical saying: children are the hardest patients to treat, and women's ailments come next.
宁撞金钟一下，不打铙钹三千 nìng zhuàng jīnzhōng yī xià, bù dǎ náobó sān qiān

better to strike the golden bell once than clash the cymbals three thousand times

When asking for help, pick the one person who can actually solve it rather than begging everywhere.

Every kind of Chinese saying