Chinese proverbs (谚语)

人有高低，货有贵贱 rén yǒu gāodī，huò yǒu guìjiàn

people have high and low, goods have expensive and cheap

People differ in ability just as goods differ in quality, so differences are natural.
人有隔夜之智 rén yǒu géyè zhīzhì

people have the wisdom of overnight

Problems you can't solve in the day often become clear after a night's rest. Close to 'sleep on it'.
人有见面之情 rén yǒu jiànmiàn zhī qíng

people have the feeling of meeting face to face

When people meet in person, they tend to be considerate and spare each other's feelings. Used to explain why people avoid harshness face to face.
人有脸，树有皮 rén yǒu liǎn，shù yǒu pí

people have faces, trees have bark

People care about their dignity and reputation as a tree needs its bark. Said when urging someone to have a sense of shame or to avoid humiliating someone.
人有三灾八难 rén yǒu sān zāi bānàn

people have three disasters and eight afflictions

No one gets through life without illness or misfortune. Said to comfort someone in trouble.
人有善愿，天必从之 rén yǒu shàn yuàn，tiān bì cóng zhī

if a person has a good wish, Heaven will surely grant it

Good intentions will be rewarded by Heaven. An old, hopeful saying; close to 'God helps those who mean well'.
人有志，竹有节 rén yǒu zhì，zhú yǒu jié

people have ambition, bamboo has joints

A person needs resolve and integrity just as bamboo needs its joints; without it you are not truly yourself. Used approvingly to urge self-respect and ambition.
人在世上炼，刀在石上磨 rén zài shìshàng liàn，dāo zài shíshang mó

people are tempered in the world, knives are ground on a stone

A person matures only by going through hardship, just as a blade gets sharp on a whetstone. Said to encourage someone facing difficulties; approving.
人争闲气一场空 rén zhēng xiánqì yī cháng kōng

people fight over idle anger, and it all comes to nothing

Getting worked up over petty matters is worthless and gains you nothing. Used to advise someone to let a trivial quarrel go.
人正压百邪 rén zhèng yā bǎi xié

an upright person overpowers a hundred evils

A person of honest character can keep all kinds of bad influences in check. Approving; said to praise integrity.
人直有人敬，路直有人行 rén zhí yǒu rén jìng，lù zhí yǒu rén xíng

an upright person is respected, a straight road is walked

Honest, straightforward people win respect, just as a straight road attracts travellers. Approving; encourages integrity.
人嘴两张皮 rénzuǐ liǎng zhāng pí

a person's mouth is just two pieces of skin

People can say whatever they like, so words are cheap and not to be trusted. Mocking or cynical, said of someone who talks carelessly or changes their story.
忍得一时忿，终身无恼闷 rěn de yīshí fèn，zhōngshēn wú nǎomèn

hold back anger for a moment, and have no vexation all your life

Controlling your temper in the moment spares you lasting trouble and regret. Advice to stay calm; like 'least said, soonest mended' in spirit.
忍字家中宝 rěn zì jiā zhōng bǎo

the word 'patience' is the treasure of the home

In a family small frictions are unavoidable, so mutual tolerance keeps the household harmonious. Advisory and approving.
日长事多,夜长梦多 rì cháng shì duō, yèchángmèngduō

long days bring many events, long nights bring many dreams

The longer something is delayed, the more likely things are to go wrong. Urges acting quickly; like 'delays are dangerous'.
日远日疏,日亲日近 rìyuǎnrìshū , rìqīnrìjìn

day by day apart, day by day distant; day by day close, day by day nearer

People who see little of each other grow distant, and those who meet often grow closer. Said to encourage keeping in touch.
日中则移,月满则亏 rìzhōngzéyí, yuèmǎnzékuī

the sun past noon moves on, the full moon begins to wane

Things that reach their peak begin to turn the other way. A reflective, cautionary remark; like 'what goes up must come down'.
日子若要过得好,老少三辈无大小 rìzi ruòyào guò de hǎo, lǎoshào sān bèi wú dàxiǎo

if you want life to go well, three generations should have no big or small

A family lives in harmony when old and young treat each other as equals. Approving advice about family relations.
荣华是草上露,富贵是瓦上霜 rónghuá shì cǎoshanglù, fùguì shì wǎshangshuāng

glory is dew on the grass, wealth is frost on the roof tiles

Splendour and riches vanish as soon as the sun comes out, so don't be too attached to them. Philosophical, cautioning against chasing wealth.
容得虎挡道,不是好猎手 róng de hǔ dǎng dào, bù shì hǎo lièshǒu

one who tolerates a tiger blocking the road is no good hunter

Someone who lets evildoers act freely is no hero; also, one who shrinks from difficulty will achieve nothing. Approving of courage and resolve.
容易得来容易舍 róngyì dé lái róngyì shě

easily gained, easily given up

What comes without effort isn't valued and is thrown away lightly. Like 'easy come, easy go'.
柔能制刚,弱能胜强 róu néng zhì gāng, ruò néng shèng qiáng

softness can overcome hardness, the weak can beat the strong

The strong shouldn't be arrogant and the weak shouldn't lose heart, since under some conditions the two can swap places. Encouraging.
柔中有刚攻不破,刚中无柔不为坚 róu zhōng yǒu gāng gōng bù pò, gāng zhōng wú róu bù wéi jiān

gentleness with firmness inside cannot be broken; firmness without gentleness is not truly strong

Combining softness and firmness is the way to prevail. Advice on balancing flexibility and strength.
肉炒熟,人吵生 ròu chǎo shú, rén chǎo shēng

fry meat and it's cooked; quarrel and people become strangers

Arguing damages relationships and makes people grow apart. Advice to avoid quarrels.
肉里有脓总要凸出来 ròu lǐ yǒu nóng zǒng yào tū chūlái

pus in the flesh will eventually bulge out

Problems that are hidden will sooner or later come to light. Like 'the truth will out'.
入国问禁,入乡问俗 rùguówènjìn, rùxiāngwènsú

entering a country, ask its prohibitions; entering a village, ask its customs

In a new place, find out the rules and customs first to avoid offending anyone. Like 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'.
入门休问荣枯事,观看容颜便得知 rùmén xiū wèn róngkū shì, guānkàn róngyán biàn dézhī

on entering a house don't ask about its fortunes; look at the faces and you'll know

You can gauge a household's situation from the host's expression without asking. Advises reading people's moods.
入山擒虎易,开口告人难 rù shān qín hǔ yì, kāikǒu gào rén nán

catching a tiger in the mountains is easy, asking others for a loan is hard

Asking someone for money or help is harder than the most dangerous task. Said sympathetically about the embarrassment of borrowing.
入山问樵,入水问渔 rùshān wènqiáo , rùshuǐ wènyú

entering the mountains ask the woodcutter, entering the water ask the fisherman

Consult people who know the place or trade first. Advice to seek expert local knowledge.
入乡随乡,入街随街 rùxiāngsuíxiāng, rùjiēsuíjiē

enter a village, follow the village; enter a street, follow the street

Respect and follow the customs wherever you are. Like 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do'.
软锤子打不出硬家伙 ruǎn chuízi dǎ bùchū yìng jiāhuo

a soft hammer can't forge a hard tool

Without strong will and real skill, you cannot accomplish great things. Encouraging toughness and competence.
软绳可以捆硬柴 ruǎn shéng kěyǐ kǔn yìng chái

soft rope can bind hard firewood

Gentle methods can bring a tough person under control. Advises persuasion over force.
瑞雪兆丰年 ruìxuězhàofēngnián

timely snow foretells a bumper year

A good winter snowfall promises a rich harvest next year. Said in a cheerful, auspicious spirit.
若无高山,怎显平地 ruò wú gāoshān, zěn xiǎn píngdì

without high mountains, how would flat land show

Things are known by contrast; usually written 没有高山，不显平地. Used to say good and bad, high and low, define each other.
若要佛法兴,除非僧赞僧 ruò yào fófǎ xīng, chúfēi sēng zàn sēng

if you want Buddhism to flourish, monks must praise monks

A cause thrives only when its members support each other rather than bicker. Urges unity.
若要好,问三老 ruò yào hǎo, wèn sān lǎo

if you want it done well, ask three elders

Consult older, experienced people to do things well. Advisory and approving of experience.
若要人不知,除非己莫为 ruò yào rén bù zhī, chúfēi jǐ mò wéi

if you want people not to know, don't do it yourself

The only way to keep a deed secret is not to do it; misdeeds come out. Like 'what is done in the dark will come to light'.
若要小儿安,常带三分饥和寒 ruò yào xiǎo'ér ān, cháng dài sān fēn jī hé hán

to keep a child well, keep them a little hungry and cold

Don't overfeed or overdress children if you want them healthy. Traditional parenting advice.
洒多少汗水,有多少收获 sǎ duōshǎo hànshuǐ, yǒu duōshǎo shōuhuò

as much sweat as you shed, so much harvest you gain

Reward is proportional to effort. Encouraging; like 'no pain, no gain'.
三百六十行,行行吃饭穿衣裳 sānbǎi liùshí háng, hángháng chīfàn chuān yīshang

three hundred and sixty trades, every trade eats and wears clothes

Whatever work you do, you can make a living, and everyone needs food and clothing. Used to say that every trade deserves respect.
三餐莫过饱,无病活到老 sān cān mò guò bǎo, wú bìng huó dào lǎo

don't overeat at the three meals and you'll live to old age without illness

Advice not to eat until stuffed, for the sake of health and long life.
三长补一短,三勤带一懒 sān cháng bǔ yī duǎn, sān qín dài yī lǎn

three strengths make up for one weakness, three diligent people carry one lazy one

In a group, the many strong and hard-working members can make up for and lift the few weak or lazy ones.
三分吃药,七分调理 sān fēn chī yào, qī fēn tiáolǐ

three parts taking medicine, seven parts care

Recovery from illness depends more on rest and proper care than on medicine.
三分教,七分学 sān fēn jiāo, qī fēn xué

three parts teaching, seven parts learning

Teachers help, but learning depends mainly on the student's own effort.
三分人才七分打扮 sān fēn réncái, qī fēn dǎban

three parts looks, seven parts dressing up

How you dress and groom makes much of your appearance. Said lightly, e.g. after someone dresses up well. Close to 'clothes make the man'.
三分天才,七分勤奋 sān fēn tiāncái, qī fēn qínfèn

three parts talent, seven parts hard work

Success comes mostly from diligence rather than natural gift. Encouraging. Close to 'genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration'.
三个不开口,神仙难下手 sān gè bù kāikǒu, shénxiān nán xiàshǒu

if the three won't open their mouths, even an immortal can't get started

If a person simply won't speak, no one can do anything with them. Said of stubborn silence.
三个臭皮匠,顶个诸葛亮 sān gè chòu píjiang, dǐng gè zhūgěliàng

three stinking cobblers equal one Zhuge Liang

A group of ordinary people pooling their ideas can match a genius. Approving. Close to 'two heads are better than one'.
三个妇女一台戏 sān gè fùnǚ yī tái xì

three women make a stage show

Women together chat and laugh, making the place lively and noisy. It rests on a gender stereotype and is often teasing.

May offend: sexist or sexual
三个和尚没水吃 sān gè héshang méi shuǐ chī

three monks have no water to drink

When there are too many people, each leaves the job to the others and nothing gets done. Critical.
三句话不离本行 sān jù huà bù lí běnháng

within three sentences, never leaving one's own trade

People keep bringing the conversation back to their own line of work. Said lightly or teasingly.
三年不上门,当亲也不亲 sān nián bù shàngmén , dāng qīn yě bù qīn

three years without visiting, even relatives are no longer close

Relationships fade without contact, so you have to keep in touch.
三人同行,小的苦 sān rén tóngxíng xiǎode kǔ

when three travel together, the youngest suffers

In a group, the youngest or most junior usually ends up doing the hardest work.
三人同一心,黄土变成金 sān rén tóng yī xīn, huángtǔ biànchéng jīn

when three share one heart, yellow earth turns to gold

United people can achieve wonders. Encouraging.
三人误大事,六耳不通谋 sān rén wù dàshì, liù ěr bù tōng móu

three people ruin great matters; six ears don't share a plot

A secret plan should be shared between two people only. A third person risks leaks and spoils it.
三日不见,当刮目相看 sān rì bù jiàn, dāng guāmùxiāngkàn

after three days apart, look at him with scraped-clean eyes

People change fast, so don't judge them by old impressions. Often said with praise when someone has improved.
三日不弹,手生荆棘 sān rì bù tán , shǒu shēng jīngjí

three days without playing, the hands grow thorns

Skills grow rusty without regular practice. Encouraging.
三十六计,走为上计 sānshíliù jì, zǒuwéishàngjì

of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best

When you are clearly outmatched, retreating is the wisest choice. Often said humorously when leaving a tricky situation.
三十年河东,三十年河西 sānshí nián hé dōng, sānshí nián hé xī

thirty years east of the river, thirty years west

Fortunes change over time. Those who are down now may rise, and the other way around. Close to 'every dog has its day'.
三岁看大,七岁看老 sān suì kàn dà, qī suì kàn lǎo

at three see the grown-up, at seven see the old man

A child's early character shows what the adult will be. It is a generalisation, said either as praise or as a warning.
三天不打,上房揭瓦 sān tiān bù dǎ, shàng fáng jiē wǎ

three days without a beating, and he's on the roof pulling off tiles

Children, or unruly people, need firm discipline or they will get into mischief. Often said jokingly about naughty kids.
三心二意,永不成器 sānxīnèryì, yǒng bù chéngqì

three minds and two intentions, never turn into a useful vessel

Someone who can't make up their mind or stay committed will never amount to anything.
色胆比天大 sè dǎn bǐ tiān dà

lust's courage is bigger than the sky

Someone driven by lust becomes reckless and will break the law. Critical warning, similar to 'lust makes men fearless'.

May offend: sexist or sexual
色是杀人刀 sè shì shā rén dāo

lust is a knife that kills

Warns that being obsessed with sex or women can bring about one's own ruin. Moralising.

May offend: sexist or sexual
杀鸡用不着牛刀 shā jī yòng bù zháo niú dāo

killing a chicken needs no ox-cleaver

A small job does not call for great force. Like 'don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.
杀人不过头点地 shā rén bù guò tóu diǎn dì

killing someone is no more than a head hitting the ground

The worst outcome is just death, so there is no need to fear it; said with defiance or recklessness, or to say that punishment should be limited.
杀人偿命,欠账还钱 shā rén chángmìng, qiàn zhàng huán qián

a killer pays with his life, a debtor repays his money

Everyone must answer for what they have done; a fair, lawful exchange. Said firmly of justice and debts.
杀生不如放生 shāshēng bùrú fàngshēng

taking life is not as good as releasing life

Buddhist-flavoured: better to spare living creatures than kill them; figuratively, forgiving people is better than punishing them. Approving of mercy.
沙粒虽小伤人眼 shālì suī xiǎo shāng rén yǎn

though a grain of sand is small, it hurts the eye

A small problem can cause serious harm. A warning not to ignore little faults.
山不碍路，路自通山 shān bù ài lù, lù zì tōng shān

the mountain doesn't block the road; the road finds its way through the mountain

However high the obstacle, a way through can always be found. Encouraging.
山不转路转 shān bù zhuàn lù zhuàn

if the mountain won't turn, the road will

If one way is blocked, another can be found; things change, and people may meet again. Said as comfort or a veiled warning, like 'what goes around comes around'.
山大压不住泉水，牛大压不死虱子 shān dà yā bù zhù quánshuǐ, niú dà yā bù sǐ shīzi

a big mountain can't hold down a spring; a big ox can't crush a louse

Even the strong are powerless against certain small things.
山顶有花山下香 shāndǐng yǒu huā shānxià xiāng

if there are flowers on the peak, the foot of the mountain is fragrant

Good examples influence others; a good thing brings along more good.
山高高不过太阳 shān gāo gāo bùguò tàiyáng

however high the mountain, it is not higher than the sun

Falsehood can never beat truth. Confident, moralising.
山高皇帝远 shān gāo huángdì yuǎn

the mountains are high and the emperor far away

Far from the centre, orders from above hardly reach; so locals do as they please. Often used wryly, as 'when the cat's away'.
山高有个顶，海深有个底 shān gāo yǒu ge dǐng, hǎi shēn yǒu ge dǐ

mountains have a peak, and the sea has a bottom

Everything has its limit.
山高有攀头，路远有奔头 shān gāo yǒu pāntou, lù yuǎn yǒu bèntou

a high mountain gives you something to climb; a long road gives you something to run towards

Setting high goals gives you more drive to reach them. Encouraging.
山高自有客行路，水深自有渡人船 shān gāo zì yǒu kè xíng lù, shuǐ shēn zì yǒu dù rén chuán

if the mountain is high, travellers will find a path; if the water is deep, there will be a ferry

However great the difficulty, a way to overcome it will be found. Reassuring.
山河易改，本性难移 shān hé yì gǎi, běnxìng nán yí

mountains and rivers are easy to change, a person's nature hard to shift

A person's character can hardly be changed. Like 'a leopard can't change its spots'.
山怕无林海怕荒 shān pà wú lín hǎi pà huāng

a mountain fears having no forest, the sea fears being barren

Protect the ecological balance: a bare mountain loses its soil and a fishless sea is empty. Environmental message.
山上多栽树，等于修水库 shān shang duō zāi shù, děngyú xiū shuǐkù

plant more trees on the hills, and it's the same as building a reservoir

Trees on hillsides hold soil and water, so planting them works like building a reservoir. Used to encourage afforestation.
山上无大树，茅草招大风 shān shang wú dà shù, máocǎo zhāo dàfēng

with no big trees on the mountain, the thatch grass draws the great wind

Without strong protectors, the weak are exposed to harm. Said of vulnerable people who suffer when no powerful figure shields them.
山是摇钱树，海是聚宝盆 shān shì yáoqiánshù, hǎi shì jùbǎopén

the mountains are a money-shaking tree, the sea is a treasure bowl

Mountains and seas are rich in resources, and anyone who uses them well can get rich. Approving, often used in encouraging local development.
山要绿化，人靠文化 shān yào lǜhuà, rén kào wénhuà

mountains need greening, people rely on education

Green hills protect the environment, and education develops people's minds. A slogan-like saying urging both reforestation and learning.
山有百草，人有百性 shān yǒu bǎi cǎo, rén yǒu bǎixìng

a mountain has a hundred kinds of grass, people have a hundred natures

People differ in temperament just as plants differ. Said to accept that everyone is different. Similar to 'it takes all sorts'.
山有高峰，水有激流 shān yǒu gāofēng, shuǐ yǒu jīliú

mountains have high peaks, rivers have rapids

Among any group of people there are always outstanding individuals. Approving.
山有山神，庙有庙主 shān yǒu shān shén, miào yǒu miào zhǔ

every mountain has its mountain god, every temple has its temple master

Every organisation has someone in charge, so you should find out who and deal with them properly.
山再高也高不过两只脚 shān zài gāo yě gāo bù guò liǎng zhī jiǎo

however high the mountain, it is no higher than two feet

No mountain is too high to climb on foot, so no difficulty is too great to overcome. Encouraging. Close to 'where there's a will, there's a way'.
山中常有千年树，世上少有百岁人 shān zhōng cháng yǒu qiān nián shù, shìshàng shǎo yǒu bǎi suì rén

in the mountains there are often thousand-year trees, in the world there are few hundred-year-old people

Life is short, so cherish your time. Said as a reflective reminder to make the most of life.
山中无老虎，猴子称大王 shān zhōng wú lǎohǔ, hóuzi chēng dàiwang

when there is no tiger in the mountains, the monkey calls himself king

When no capable person is around, an ordinary or mediocre one takes the lead and poses as an expert. Mildly mocking. Close to 'in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king'.
善恶不同途，冰炭不同炉 shàn è bù tóng tú, bīng tàn bù tóng lú

good and evil don't share a road, ice and charcoal don't share a stove

Opposites cannot coexist. Said of good and bad people, or incompatible things.
善恶到头终有报，只争来早与来迟 shàn è dàotóu zhōng yǒu bào, zhǐ zhēng lái zǎo yǔ lái chí

good and evil in the end get repaid; the only question is whether it comes early or late

Everyone gets their just deserts sooner or later. Used to console the wronged or warn wrongdoers. Close to 'what goes around comes around'.
善良的人流芳百世，恶毒的人遗臭万年 shànliáng de rén liúfāngbǎishì, èdú de rén yíchòuwànnián

kind people leave a fragrance for a hundred generations, wicked people leave a stench for ten thousand years

History fairly remembers the good with praise and the evil with scorn.
善说不如善做，善始不如善终 shàn shuō bùrú shàn zuò, shànshǐ bùrú shànzhōng

being good at talking is not as good as being good at doing; a good start is not as good as a good finish

Actions count more than words, and finishing well matters more than starting well. Advice to follow through.
善有善报，恶有恶报；不是不报，时辰未到 shàn yǒu shàn bào, è yǒu è bào; bù shì bù bào, shíchen wèi dào

good gets good repayment, evil gets evil repayment; it's not that there's no repayment, the hour hasn't yet come

Good and bad deeds will be repaid, even if it hasn't happened yet. A Buddhist-flavoured saying urging people to do good and consoling those who see wrongdoers go unpunished.
善者不来，来者不善 shànzhěbùlái, láizhěbùshàn

those who are good don't come; those who come are not good

A person who turns up in a confrontation is not there with good intentions. Said when expecting trouble from a visitor.
伤筋动骨一百天 shāng jīn dòng gǔ yībǎi tiān

hurt sinews and move bones: a hundred days

A serious injury to tendons or bones takes about a hundred days to heal. Said to urge patience in recovery.
伤其十指，不如断其一指 shāng qí shí zhǐ, bùrú duàn qí yī zhǐ

injuring all ten of his fingers is not as good as cutting off one

Better to wipe out one part of the enemy completely than to hurt every part slightly; more broadly, focus on a key breakthrough rather than doing everything half-way.
伤人不伤脸，揭人不揭短 shāng rén bù shāng liǎn, jiē rén bù jiēduǎn

hit a person but don't hit the face, expose a person but don't expose their weak points

Even in a quarrel, keep within limits and spare the other's dignity, or things will backfire.
商场如战场 shāngchǎng rú zhànchǎng

the marketplace is like a battlefield

Business competition is as fierce as war.

Every kind of Chinese saying