Chinese proverbs (谚语)

前留三步好走，后留三步好行 qián liú sān bù hǎo zǒu，hòu liú sān bù hǎo xíng

leave three steps ahead to walk easily, leave three steps behind to travel easily

Always leave some leeway in what you do. Advice to avoid extremes or burning bridges.
前怕狼，后怕虎，一事无成白辛苦 qián pà láng，hòu pà hǔ，yīshìwúchéng bái xīnkǔ

fearing wolves ahead and tigers behind, you achieve nothing and toil for nothing

Timid, overly cautious people accomplish nothing. Critical advice to be bold.
前人栽树，后人乘凉 qiánrénzāishù，hòurénchéngliáng

predecessors plant trees, descendants enjoy the shade

Later generations benefit from earlier generations' hard work; also urges working for those who come after. Approving.
前事不忘，后事之师 qiánshìbùwàng，hòushìzhīshī

don't forget past events; they are teachers for later ones

Remember history and use it as a guide for future action. Like 'those who forget history are doomed to repeat it'.
前有车，后有辙 qián yǒu chē，hòu yǒu zhé

where a cart went before, ruts remain behind

Whatever one does leaves traces; also, predecessors' deeds leave examples and lessons for others.
钱财如粪土，仁义值千金 qiáncái rú fèntǔ，rényì zhí qiānjīn

money is like dung and dirt, kindness and righteousness are worth a thousand gold

Moral virtue matters more than wealth, so don't give up principles for money. Approving.
钱可通神，财能使鬼 qiánkě tōng shén，cái néng shǐ guǐ

money can reach the gods, wealth can make ghosts do your bidding

Money can do anything. Cynical; said of a corrupt world. Like 'money talks'.
钱能成事，也能坏事 qián néng chéngshì，yě néng huài shì

money can make things happen and can also ruin them

Money is useful but too much or misuse brings trouble. A cautionary remark.
钱为人之胆 qián wéi rén zhī dǎn

money is a person's courage

Having money makes a person bold. Dated and cynical.
钱要用在刀刃上 qián yào yòng zài dāorèn shang

money should be used on the blade's edge

Spend money only where it is most needed. Advice to be thrifty and spend wisely.
钱在手头，食在口头 qiánzài shǒutóu，shí zài kǒutóu

money in the hand, food at the mouth

Money kept at hand gets spent easily, like food put near the mouth gets eaten. Advice to save by keeping money out of reach.
枪打出头鸟 qiāng dǎ chūtóuniǎo

the gun shoots the bird that sticks its head out

The person who steps forward or stands out is the first to be attacked. Said as a warning or complaint about leading or showing off; similar to 'the tall poppy gets cut down'.
强宾不压主 qiáng bīn bù yā zhǔ

a strong guest does not overpower the host

However capable a guest is, he should not outshine the host. Advises against taking over the host's role.
强将手下无弱兵 qiáng jiàng shǒuxià wú ruò bīng

under a strong general there are no weak soldiers

A capable leader or teacher produces capable followers. Used to praise a team or a student of a good master.
强龙不压地头蛇 qiáng lóng bù yā dìtóushé

a mighty dragon does not crush the local snake

Even a powerful outsider should not take on entrenched local forces, as he will probably lose. Used as a caution when entering someone else's territory; similar to 'when in Rome...'.
强拳不打笑脸 qiáng quán bù dǎ xiàoliǎn

a strong fist does not hit a smiling face

Even a fierce person will not attack someone who greets them with a smile. Encourages being polite and friendly to defuse hostility.
强中更有强中手 qiáng zhōng gèng yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu

among the strong there are always stronger hands

However skilled you are, someone is better. A warning against arrogance; similar to 'there's always a bigger fish'.
墙倒众人推,破鼓乱人捶 qiáng dǎo zhòngrén tuī, pògǔ luàn rén chuí

when a wall falls, everyone pushes; a broken drum is beaten by all

When someone falls from power or has bad luck, many pile on. Critical of the crowd's behaviour; like 'kick a man when he's down'.
墙里开花墙外香 qiáng lǐ kāihuā qiángwài xiāng

the flower blooms inside the wall but smells sweet outside

A person's achievements are overlooked at home but praised elsewhere. Similar to 'a prophet is not without honour, save in his own country'.
墙里说话墙外听 qiáng lǐ shuōhuà qiángwài tīng

words spoken inside the wall are heard outside

Be careful what you say; others may overhear. A caution; like 'walls have ears'.
墙上画马不能骑,纸上画饼不充饥 qiáng shang huà mǎ bù néng qí , zhǐ shang huà bǐng bù chōngjī

a horse painted on a wall can't be ridden; a cake drawn on paper can't fill the stomach

Empty talk and empty promises achieve nothing. Critical.
墙有缝,壁有耳 qiáng yǒu fèng, bì yǒu ěr

walls have cracks, partitions have ears

It is hard to keep a secret; someone may be listening. Like 'walls have ears'.
强按牛头不喝水 qiǎng àn niútóu bù hē shuǐ

forcing down an ox's head won't make it drink

Force and orders can't make someone do what they don't want. Like 'you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink'.
强扭的瓜不甜 qiǎng niǔ de guā bù tián

a melon twisted off by force isn't sweet

Things forced on people turn out badly, especially a marriage or relationship made under pressure. Said to advise against forcing it.
强迫不成买卖 qiǎngpò bù chéng mǎimai

compulsion makes no sale

A deal needs both sides willing; forcing it won't work. Used more broadly of getting things done by coercion.
桥连路,路连桥 qiáo lián lù, lù lián qiáo

the bridge joins the road, the road joins the bridge

Chances always turn up, so don't lose heart in difficulty. Encouraging.
桥归桥,路归路 qiáo guī qiáo, lù guī lù

the bridge is the bridge, the road is the road

Two things are separate and unrelated and should be treated separately. Said to keep matters apart.
巧人惯说藏头话 qiǎo rén guàn shuō cáng tóu huà

clever people are used to speaking with the head hidden

Clever people speak indirectly, leaving things unsaid, and still get understood.
巧媳妇做不出无米饭 qiǎo xífù zuò bù chū wú mǐ fàn

even a clever wife can't cook a meal without rice

Without the basic resources even the most capable person can't get things done. Like 'you can't make bricks without straw'.
巧言不如直道 qiǎo yán bùrú zhí dào

clever words are not as good as plain speaking

It is better to say things straight than use smooth talk.
巧诈不如拙诚 qiǎo zhà bùrú zhuō chéng

clever deceit is not as good as clumsy sincerity

Honest sincerity, even if plain, is better than cunning tricks. Moralising.
茄子也让三分老 qiézi yě ràng sān fēn lǎo

even eggplants are allowed to be a bit old

Old people deserve respect and consideration. Approving.
亲帮亲,邻帮邻 qīn bāng qīn, lín bāng lín

relatives help relatives, neighbours help neighbours

Family and neighbours can be counted on to help one another. Said approvingly.
亲不亲,故乡人 qīn bù qīn, gùxiāng rén

close or not close, (they are) people from the home town

Whether or not you know them well, someone from your hometown feels familiar when you meet them far from home. Warm and approving.
亲不亲一家人,打断骨头连着筋 qīn bù qīn yī jiā rén, dǎduàn gǔtou liánzhe jīn

close or not, one family; even when the bone is broken, the sinew still joins it

Kin stay bound together by shared interests and can't cut ties, whatever their quarrels. Close to English 'blood is thicker than water'.
亲不择骨肉,恨不记旧仇 qīn bù zé gǔròu, hèn bù jì jiù chóu

in affection don't choose only blood relatives, in hatred don't remember old grudges

Have fair standards of right and wrong and be forgiving: kindness need not be limited to close kin, and old grudges should not be kept. An old-style piece of moral advice.
亲故亲故,十亲九顾 qīngù qīngù, shíqīnjiǔgù

kin and old friends, out of ten close ones nine look after you

Relatives and old friends usually help and look out for one another.
亲戚不共财,共财断往来 qīnqi bù gòng cái, gòng cái duàn wǎnglái

relatives shouldn't share money; sharing money ends the visiting

Keep money matters separate even with close relatives, or disputes will end the relationship. Advice to avoid financial entanglements. Compare 'good fences make good neighbours'.
亲戚难管家务事 qīnqi nán guǎn jiāwùshì

relatives find it hard to manage household affairs

Relatives are not part of the household, so it's best not to interfere in its internal affairs.
亲戚远离香 qīnqi yuǎn lí xiāng

relatives are fragrant at a distance

Relatives you rarely see are all the warmer for it; even close ones are best kept at some distance to keep the relationship fresh. Compare 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'.
亲向亲,故向故 qīn xiàng qīn, gù xiàng gù

kin lean towards kin, old friends towards old friends

Relatives and old friends naturally favour and help one another. It can be neutral or hint at partiality.
亲有远近,邻有里外 qīn yǒu yuǎnjìn, lín yǒu lǐwài

kin have near and far, neighbours have inside and outside

Even among relatives and neighbours, closeness varies; not everyone is equally near.
勤俭好似针挑土,浪费犹如浪淘沙 qínjiǎn hǎosì zhēn tiāo tǔ, làngfèi yóurú làng táo shā

thrift is like lifting soil with a needle; waste is like waves washing away sand

Saving is slow and hard, like moving soil on a needle's point, while wasting is quick and easy, like waves sweeping sand away. A warning to be thrifty.
勤能补拙,俭可养廉 qínnéngbǔzhuō, jiǎn kě yǎnglián

diligence can make up for clumsiness; frugality can nurture integrity

Hard work makes up for lack of talent, and a frugal life helps one stay honest and incorruptible. Approving advice. Compare 'diligence is the mother of good luck'.
勤勤干,满满饭 qínqín gàn, mǎnmǎn fàn

work diligently, bowls full of rice

Hard work brings enough food and clothing.
擒贼先擒王 qínzéixiānqínwáng

to catch bandits, first catch their chief

To solve a problem, tackle its leader or its key point first. Used of strategy and policing.
青出于蓝而胜于蓝 qīngchūyúlán ér shèngyú lán

blue comes from the indigo plant yet is deeper than the indigo plant

The student surpasses the teacher, or the younger generation outdoes the older. Praise.
清官难断家务事 qīngguān nán duàn jiāwùshì

even an honest magistrate finds it hard to judge household affairs

Family disputes are tangled and outsiders can't easily judge who is right, so they shouldn't intervene. Compare 'don't come between husband and wife'.
清酒红人面,财帛动人心 qīng jiǔ hóng rénmiàn, cáibó dòng rénxīn

clear wine reddens people's faces, wealth stirs people's hearts

Wine flushes the face and money tempts the heart. A caution about greed.
清明前后乱穿衣 qīngmíng qiánhòu luàn chuān yī

around Qingming people dress all in a muddle

Around Qingming (early April) the weather swings between warm and cold, so people wear varied clothing.
情人眼里出西施 qíngrén yǎn li chū xīshī

in a lover's eyes appears Xi Shi

Lovers see each other as beautiful; judgment is coloured by feeling. Xi Shi was a legendary beauty. Compare 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.
情真不言谢 qíng zhēn bù yán xiè

true affection doesn't speak thanks

Between people who are truly close, help is given freely and there is no need for polite thanks.
晴天不肯走,直待雨淋头 qíngtiān bù kěn zǒu, zhí dài yǔ lín tóu

won't set off on a fine day, waits until the rain pours on one's head

Missing a good chance brings its penalty later. Said critically of those who put things off.
晴天带雨伞,吃饱带干粮 qíngtiān dài yǔsǎn, chībǎo dàigānliáng

carry an umbrella in fine weather, carry dry rations when full

Prepare for trouble while things are fine. Compare 'prepare for a rainy day'.
请将不如激将 qǐng jiàng bùrú jījiàng

inviting a general is not as good as provoking a general

To get someone to act, provoking their pride often works better than asking politely.
穷家难当 qióng jiā nán dāng

a poor household is hard to run

When money is short, managing a household is hard. By extension, leading a cash-strapped organisation is hard.
穷家难舍,热土难离 qióng jiā nán shě, rètǔ nán lí

hard to leave a poor home, hard to leave the warm soil

People are reluctant to leave their poor home village, because of attachment to the place.
穷怕来客,富怕来贼 qióng pà lái kè, fù pà lái zéi

the poor fear guests coming, the rich fear thieves coming

A poor family can't afford to entertain guests, and a rich one fears being robbed. Each condition has its worries.
穷人的孩子早当家 qióngrén de háizi zǎo dāngjiā

a poor person's child takes charge of the household early

Children from poor families learn to shoulder responsibility young. Approving.
穷媳妇知米贵 qióng xífù zhī mǐ guì

a poor daughter-in-law knows how dear rice is

A poor housewife knows how to live frugally; more broadly, only hardship teaches how hard life is.
穷有好时,富有倒时 qióng yǒu hǎo shí, fù yǒu dǎo shí

the poor have their good times, the rich have their downfalls

Fortunes change: the poor may prosper and the rich may fall. Encouraging, or a warning against arrogance.
穷在闹市无人问,富在深山有远亲 qióng zài nàoshì wú rén wèn, fù zài shēnshān yǒu yuǎn qīn

poor in a busy market no one asks after you; rich in deep mountains you have distant relatives

People fawn on the rich and shun the poor. Said cynically of snobbery. Compare 'a rich man has many friends'.
穷遮不得,丑瞒不得 qióng zhēbude, chǒu mánbude

poverty can't be covered up, ugliness can't be hidden

Faults and problems can't be hidden for long.
秋阳如老虎 qiūyáng rú lǎohǔ

autumn sun is like a tiger

After autumn begins, the weather can still be fiercely hot.
求佛求一尊 qiú fó qiú yīzūn

when seeking a Buddha, seek just one

When you need something done, go to the one person who really has authority rather than many.
求来雨,下不大 qiú lái yǔ, xià bù dà

rain that is begged for doesn't fall heavily

Help you get by pleading with others is limited and won't solve your problem fully. Said with a note of resignation.
求人不如求己 qiúrén bùrú qiú jǐ

asking others is not as good as asking yourself

It's better to rely on yourself than to beg for help; also, relatives and your own side are more dependable than outsiders. Close to "If you want something done well, do it yourself."
求只求张良,拜只拜韩信 qiú zhǐ qiú zhāngliáng, bài zhǐ bài hánxìn

if you ask, ask only Zhang Liang; if you bow, bow only to Han Xin

When you need help, go to the top expert. Approving advice about seeking out the best person for the job.
曲不离口,拳不离手 qǔ bù lí kǒu, quán bù lí shǒu

songs never leave the mouth, fists never leave the hand

Skills must be practised constantly or they get rusty. Said to encourage regular practice. Close to "practice makes perfect."
娶妻娶德不娶色,交友交心不交财 qǔqī qǔ dé bù qǔ sè, jiāoyǒu jiāoxīn bù jiāo cái

marry for virtue, not looks; make friends by heart, not by wealth

Choose a wife for her character rather than her beauty, and befriend people for sincerity rather than money. Advice about values.
去时留人情,转来好相见 qù shí liú rénqíng, zhuǎnlái hǎo xiāngjiàn

leave goodwill when you go, so it's easy to meet when you return

When parting from someone, don't burn bridges, so you can face each other later. Similar to "Don't burn your bridges."
去一恶,长十善 qù yī è , zhǎng shí shàn

remove one evil, ten good deeds grow

Getting rid of one wicked person teaches many others and encourages good behaviour. Used to justify punishing wrongdoers.
劝君莫打三春鸟,子在巢中望母归 quàn jūn mò dǎ sān chūn niǎo, zǐ zài cháo zhōng wàng mǔ guī

I urge you not to shoot spring birds; their chicks in the nest wait for their mother

Don't harm birds in spring, when they are raising their young. A plea for kindness to animals.
群众的眼睛是雪亮的 qúnzhòng de yǎnjing shì xuěliàng de

the masses' eyes are snow-bright

Ordinary people see things clearly and can't be fooled. Said approvingly, often in political contexts.
染缸里捞不出白布来 rǎngāng li lāo bù chū bái bù lái

you can't fish white cloth out of a dye vat

People in a bad environment pick up bad influences. Similar to "Touch pitch and you will be defiled."
让礼一寸，得礼一尺 ràng lǐ yī cùn，dé lǐ yī chǐ

yield an inch of courtesy, receive a foot

Being courteous to others earns you much more respect in return.
让人三分不吃亏 ràng rén sān fēn bù chīkuī

giving way a little to others is no loss

Yielding in a dispute doesn't necessarily cost you anything. Advice to be tolerant.
让人一步自己宽 ràng rén yī bù zìjǐ kuān

give others a step and you gain room yourself

Being accommodating to others leaves you more room to manoeuvre.
饶人不是痴 ráo rén bù shì chī

forgiving people is not foolish

Being lenient with others is wise rather than silly.
饶人是福，欺人是祸 ráo rén shì fú，qī rén shì huò

forgiving people is fortune, bullying people is calamity

Being generous brings you good fortune; bullying others brings trouble upon yourself.
惹不起，躲得起 rě bù qǐ，duǒ de qǐ

can't afford to provoke, can afford to avoid

If you can't take on a troublemaker, steer clear of them. Said with resignation.
热饭不能热食 rè fàn bù néng rè shí

hot rice shouldn't be eaten hot

Be patient and don't rush things. Similar to "Haste makes waste."
人比人，气死人 rén bǐ rén，qìsǐ rén

compare person with person and you'll die of anger

Comparing yourself with others who are better off only makes you upset. Said ruefully; similar to "Comparisons are odious."
人必自侮，而后人侮 rén bì zì wǔ，érhòu rén wǔ

a person must first insult himself, and then others insult him

Others only disrespect you after you have shown no self-respect. It comes from Mencius.
人不辞路，虎不辞山 rén bù cí lù，hǔ bù cí shān

people don't leave the road, tigers don't leave the mountain

People need roads to get by, just as tigers need mountains; one can't live without one's natural footing.
人不划算家不富 rén bù huásuàn jiā bù fù

if people don't make careful calculations, the family won't get rich

To get rich you must plan and budget carefully in everyday life.
人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 rén bùkě màoxiàng，hǎishuǐ bùkě dǒu liáng

people can't be judged by appearance, the sea can't be measured by the bushel

Don't judge someone's ability or character by looks. Similar to "Don't judge a book by its cover."
人不可忘本 rén bùkě wàngběn

a person must not forget his roots

Even after you succeed, remember where you came from and who helped you. Approving moral advice.
人不亲行亲 rén bù qīn háng qīn

people may not be close, but the trade is close

People in the same line of work feel a bond and get along warmly. Said approvingly of colleagues' solidarity.
人不亲土亲，河不亲水亲 rén bù qīn tǔ qīn，hé bù qīn shuǐ qīn

people may not be close, but the soil is close; rivers may not be close, but the water is close

People from the same home area feel close to one another, even strangers. Said warmly of fellow-townspeople meeting away from home.
人不求人一般高 rén bù qiúrén yībān gāo

if people don't beg from people, they are all equally tall

If you ask nothing of others, you stand level with them and need not bow to anyone. Said approvingly of self-reliance and dignity.
人不劝不善，钟不敲不叫唤 rén bù quàn bù shàn，zhōng bù qiāo bù jiàohuan

a person not urged is not good; a bell not struck does not ring

People turn to good when they are advised and encouraged, as a bell rings only when struck. Stresses the importance of education and counsel.
人不为己，顶天立地 rén bù wèi jǐ，dǐngtiānlìdì

if a person has no thought of self, he stands tall between heaven and earth

Someone free of selfish motives can hold his head high and fear nothing. It is an approving reading that deliberately reverses the cynical saying 'everyone for himself'.
人不为己，遇事不迷 rén bù wèi jǐ，yùshì bù mí

if a person isn't out for himself, he isn't confused when things happen

Without selfish thoughts, one thinks clearly and isn't fooled by appearances. Approving advice on impartial judgment.
人不在大小，马不在高低 rén bù zài dàxiǎo，mǎ bù zài gāodī

a person is not about big or small; a horse is not about tall or short

Ability can't be judged by age or size, just as a horse's quality isn't judged by height. Said to defend the young against being underestimated.
人不知自丑，马不知脸长 rén bù zhī zìchǒu，mǎ bù zhī liǎn cháng

people don't know their own ugliness, horses don't know their faces are long

People rarely see their own faults and lack self-awareness. Mildly mocking, like 'the pot calling the kettle black' in spirit.
人吃五谷生百病 rén chī wǔgǔ shēng bǎi bìng

people eat the five grains and get a hundred illnesses

Everyone lives on ordinary food and so inevitably falls ill sometimes. Said to accept illness as natural.
人串门子惹是非 rén chuànménzi rě shìfēi

people who go visiting houses stir up trouble

Wandering from house to house gossiping tends to cause quarrels and rumours. A cautionary, mildly critical saying.
人到难处才见心 rén dào nàn chù cái jiàn xīn

only when people are in difficulty do you see their hearts

Hardship shows who truly cares about you. Close to 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'.
人到事中迷，就怕没人提 rén dào shì zhōng mí，jiù pà méi rén tí

people get confused in the midst of things; the fear is that nobody prompts them

When caught up in a situation, people lose clear judgment and need someone to point things out. Said to encourage giving or accepting reminders.

Every kind of Chinese saying