Chinese proverbs (谚语)

实践出真知 shíjiàn chū zhēnzhī

practice brings forth true knowledge

Real understanding comes from doing things yourself. Approving; compare 'practice makes perfect' or learning by doing.
食多伤胃，忧多伤身 shí duō shāng wèi, yōu duō shāng shēn

eating too much hurts the stomach; too much worry hurts the body

Advice against overeating and excessive worry, since both damage your health.
使心用心，反害其身 shǐxīn yòngxīn, fǎn hài qí shēn

use scheming and more scheming, and in the end harm your own self

Warns that people who plot hard to harm others often end up harming themselves. Like 'curses come home to roost'.
士别三日，刮目相看 shì bié sān rì, guāmùxiāngkàn

when a scholar has been parted three days, look at him with scraped eyes

Don't judge people by old impressions, because they may improve quickly. Used admiringly when someone has clearly made progress.
士可杀，不可辱 shì kě shā, bùkě rǔ

a scholar may be killed but not humiliated

Says that a person of integrity would rather die than be shamed. Said when someone refuses to be insulted.
世间没个早知道 shìjiān méi ge zǎo zhīdào

in this world there's no knowing early

You can't know in advance what will happen in life. Often said with regret after something goes wrong.
世界之大，无奇不有 shìjiè zhī dà, wú qí bùyǒu

the world is so big that there is no oddity it lacks

The world is so large that every kind of strange thing exists. Said on hearing something very unusual.
世情看冷暖，人面逐高低 shìqíng kàn lěngnuǎn, rénmiàn zhúgāodī

worldly feeling watches warm and cold; people's faces follow high and low

People treat you warmly or coldly depending on your status and wealth. A cynical comment on fickle human nature.
世上莫过手足情，打断骨头连着筋 shìshàng mò guò shǒuzú qíng, dǎduàn gǔtou liánzhe jīn

nothing in the world beats the bond of hands and feet; break the bone and the sinew still connects

The bond between siblings is deep and can't be cut. Similar to 'blood is thicker than water'.
世上无难事，只怕有心人 shìshàng wú nánshì, zhǐ pà yǒuxīnrén

nothing in the world is hard, one only fears those with determination

Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and work hard. Encouraging. Like 'where there's a will, there's a way'.
世上只有想不到的事，没有做不到的事 shìshàng zhǐ yǒu xiǎng bù dào de shì, méiyǒu zuò bù dào de shì

in the world there are only things you haven't thought of, no things that can't be done

Anything you can imagine can be achieved. Encouraging.
世治用文，世乱用武 shì zhì yòng wén, shì luàn yòng wǔ

in an orderly age use civil officials; in a chaotic age use military men

In peacetime a state relies on civil officials, and in times of turmoil on military commanders.
势不可使尽，福不可享尽 shì bùkě shǐjìn, fú bùkě xiǎngjìn

don't use up all your power, don't enjoy all your good fortune

Leave some room when using power, and don't exhaust your luck. Advises moderation.
事不过三 shì bù guòsān

a matter doesn't go past three

Something shouldn't be repeated more than a few times, and the same mistake shouldn't be made again and again. Often a warning: 'three strikes and you're out'.
事不三思，终有后悔 shì bù sān sī, zhōng yǒu hòuhuǐ

if you don't think three times before acting, you'll end up regretting it

Act without careful thought and you will regret it. Like 'look before you leap'.
事从缓来 shì cóng huǎn lái

let matters come slowly

Don't rush; deal with things calmly and without haste.
事到九九，何必十足 shì dào jiǔjiǔ, hébì shízú

when a thing has reached ninety-nine, why need a full hundred

Don't push things to the extreme; leave some room for others and for yourself.
事到万难须放胆 shì dào wànnán xū fàngdǎn

when things get extremely hard, you must dare

In the worst difficulty, be bold and give it your all.
事非经过不知难 shìfēi jīngguò bù zhī nán

unless you've been through something, you don't know how hard it is

You can't appreciate the difficulty of a task until you have done it yourself. Said to urge understanding of others.
事急无君子 shì jí wú jūnzǐ

in an emergency there are no gentlemen

When things are urgent, people drop politeness and courtesy. Used to excuse abruptness.
事久自然明 shì jiǔ zìrán míng

given time, a matter becomes clear by itself

The truth comes out in time. Like 'time will tell'.
事宽则完，急难成效 shì kuān zé wán，jí nán chéngxiào

take it easy and the matter gets finished; hurry and it's hard to get results

Working calmly leads to a good result, while haste rarely does. Like 'more haste, less speed'.
事忙先记账 shì máng xiān jì zhàng

when business is busy, record the accounts first

However busy you are, keep your accounts straight. More widely, deal with the most pressing matter first.
事怕打颠倒 shì pà dǎ diāndǎo

things fear being turned upside down

If you put yourself in the other person's place, a problem becomes easier to solve.
事实胜于雄辩 shìshí shèngyú xióngbiàn

facts are stronger than eloquent argument

Facts persuade better than any argument. Equivalent to 'facts speak louder than words'.
事无不可对人言 shì wú bùkě duì rén yán

there is nothing that cannot be told to others

An upright person has nothing to hide. Used to claim a clear conscience.
事无三不成 shì wú sān bù chéng

nothing succeeds without three tries

Things usually take repeated effort before they succeed. Like 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again'.
事要前思免后悔 shì yào qián sī miǎn hòuhuǐ

think beforehand to avoid regret afterwards

Plan carefully before acting, so that you won't regret mistakes later. Like 'look before you leap'.
事有凑巧，物有偶然 shì yǒu còuqiǎo，wù yǒu ǒurán

events can happen to coincide; things can happen by chance

Coincidences happen in life. Said when something happens by chance.
事有千般，理有千层 shì yǒu qiān bān，lǐ yǒu qiān céng

matters come in a thousand kinds, reasons in a thousand layers

Situations are varied and so are the reasons behind them, so don't see things one way only.
事有因，话有缘 shì yǒu yīn，huà yǒu yuán

events have causes, words have origins

Nothing happens, and nothing is said, without a reason.
事在人为，路在人走 shì zàirénwéi，lù zài rén zǒu

success lies in what people do; the road lies in people walking it

Whether something succeeds depends on human effort. Encouraging, like 'where there's a will, there's a way'.
是非来入耳，不听自然无 shìfēi lái rù'ěr，bù tīng zìrán wú

if gossip comes into the ear, not listening means naturally there is none

Trouble-making talk only matters if you listen to it; ignore it and the quarrel disappears. Advice to stay out of gossip. Close to 'what you don't hear can't hurt you'.
是非只为多开口，烦恼皆因强出头 shìfēi zhǐ wèi duō kāikǒu，fánnǎo jiē yīn qiáng chūtóu

disputes arise only from speaking too much; troubles all come from pushing yourself forward

Talking too much brings quarrels and pushing yourself forward brings worry, so be careful in word and deed. Cautionary advice.
是非自有公论，功过后人评说 shìfēi zì yǒu gōnglùn，gōngguò hòurén píngshuō

right and wrong have their public verdict; merits and faults are judged by later generations

Public opinion and posterity will judge who was right and what was achieved, so there's no need to argue the case now. Said calmly, often in self-defence. Close to 'time will tell'.
是福不是祸，是祸躲不过 shì fú bù shì huò，shì huò duǒ bù guò

if it's fortune it isn't disaster; if it's disaster you can't dodge it

Fatalistic saying: heaven decides good and bad luck and people cannot change it. Said to accept whatever comes. Close to 'what will be, will be'.
是灰比土热，是盐比酱咸 shì huī bǐ tǔ rè，shì yán bǐ jiàng xián

if it's ash it's warmer than earth; if it's salt it's saltier than soy sauce

Relatives and friends are always closer than ordinary people. Said to justify favouring one's own circle. Close to 'blood is thicker than water'.
是金子，放在哪里都闪光 shì jīnzi，fàng zài nǎli dōu shǎnguāng

if it's gold, it shines wherever you put it

A truly talented person will show their worth in any setting. Approving; encouraging. Close to 'cream rises to the top'.
是龙不跟蛇斗，是人不跟狗斗 shì lóng bù gēn shé dòu，shì rén bù gēn gǒu dòu

a dragon doesn't fight a snake; a person doesn't fight a dog

Those of high rank or noble character don't squabble with petty people. Can be a self-flattering way to refuse a quarrel, and is slightly contemptuous of the other side.
是骡子是马，拉出来遛遛 shì luózi shì mǎ，lā chūlai liùliù

whether it's a mule or a horse, lead it out and walk it around

Ability should be proved by actually trying it. Said to challenge someone to show what they can do. Close to 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.
是亲三分向，是火热如炭 shì qīn sān fēn xiàng，shì huǒ rè rú tàn

kin get three parts of favour; fire is hot as charcoal

People naturally lean toward their relatives. An old saying noting family favouritism, mildly critical.
是山总有路，是河总有桥 shì shān zǒng yǒu lù，shì hé zǒng yǒu qiáo

every mountain has a path; every river has a bridge

However big the problem, a solution can be found. Encouraging. Close to 'where there's a will there's a way'.
是药能治病，世上无死人 shì yào néng zhì bìng，shìshàng wú sǐrén

if medicine could cure illness, nobody in the world would die

Medicine is not all-powerful. Said as a caution against relying on drugs alone.
是药三分毒 shì yào sān fēn dú

any medicine is three parts poison

All drugs have side effects, so don't take medicine unnecessarily. A common health warning.
是姻缘棒打不散 shì yīnyuán bàng dǎ bù sàn

if it's a destined match, a club can't break it up

Old belief that a marriage fated from a past life cannot be broken up by force. Romantic or fatalistic.
是真难假，是假难真 shì zhēn nán jiǎ，shì jiǎ nán zhēn

what's real is hard to make fake; what's fake is hard to make real

Truth and falsehood can't be confused for long; a fake can't pass as real. Reassuring.
是真难灭，是假易除 shì zhēn nán miè，shì jiǎ yì chú

what's true is hard to wipe out; what's false is easy to remove

The truth can't be suppressed, while falsehood is easily cleared away. Approving of truth.
是真说不假，是假说不真 shì zhēn shuō bù jiǎ，shì jiǎ shuō bù zhēn

what's true can't be argued false; what's false can't be argued true

Truth and falsehood are objective facts, and sophistry won't change them. Said against quibbling.
收船好在顺风时 shōu chuán hǎo zài shùnfēng shí

it's best to furl the sails while the wind is fair

Retire, or wrap up a task, while things are going well rather than waiting for a downturn. Approving advice. Close to 'quit while you're ahead'.
手大不遮天 shǒu dà bù zhē tiān

however big the hand, it can't cover the sky

No matter how powerful someone is, they can't hide the truth. Said against cover-ups.
手心手背都是肉 shǒuxīn shǒubèi dōu shì ròu

the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh

Two people (often one's children) are equally dear, so choosing between them is painful. Warm tone. Close to 'I love them all equally'.
手越做越巧，脑越用越灵 shǒu yuè zuò yuè qiǎo，nǎo yuè yòng yuè líng

the more the hands work the more skilful; the more the brain is used the sharper

Practice improves skill and thinking sharpens with use. Encouraging. Close to 'practice makes perfect'.
手中没把米，叫鸡鸡不来 shǒu zhōng méi bǎ mǐ，jiào jī jī bù lái

with no handful of rice in your hand, you can't call the chickens over

People won't work for you unless there's something in it for them. Somewhat cynical. Close to 'no pay, no play'.
手中有粮，心中不慌 shǒu zhōng yǒu liáng，xīn zhōng bù huāng

grain in hand, no panic in the heart

With reserves in store, people feel secure. Said of food stocks, or more broadly of savings and preparation.
守口如瓶，防意如城 shǒukǒurúpíng，fáng yì rú chéng

guard your mouth like a bottle, guard your desires like a city

Be careful what you say and keep your thoughts and desires in check. Approving advice.
守着骆驼不说马 shǒuzhe luòtuo bù shuō mǎ

with a camel beside you, don't talk about horses

Two senses: aim for the big goal; or, mockingly, of a braggart who always claims whatever is biggest.
受不了委屈，成不了大事 shòu bùliǎo wěiqū，chéng bùliǎo dàshì

if you can't bear being wronged, you can't achieve great things

Someone who can't stand pressure or grievance will not accomplish much. Advice to be resilient.
受人滴水之恩，必当涌泉相报 shòu rén dī shuǐ zhī ēn，bì dāng yǒng quán xiāngbào

for a drop of water received, repay with a gushing spring

Even a small kindness should be repaid generously. Approving; about gratitude.
受人之托，必当终人之事 shòu rén zhī tuō，bìdāng zhōng rén zhī shì

entrusted by someone, you must see their matter through

If you accept a task for someone, you must finish it properly. Approving; about reliability.
瘦死的骆驼比马大 shòusǐ de luòtuo bǐ mǎ dà

a camel that has starved thin is still bigger than a horse

A once-wealthy family or organisation is still better off than ordinary ones, even in decline.
书呆子经商，老本儿赔光 shūdāizi jīngshāng，lǎoběnr péiguāng

a bookworm goes into business and loses all his capital

Someone who follows theory rigidly and ignores practice will fail in business. Mocking.
书到用时方恨少，事非经过不知难 shū dào yòng shí fāng hèn shǎo，shì fēi jīngguò bù zhī nán

only when you need books do you regret having read too few; you don't know a task is hard until you've done it

Learning is only seen to be insufficient in use, and difficulty is understood only through experience. Advice to study and practise.
书读百遍，其义自见 shū dú bǎi biàn，qí yì zì xiàn

read a book a hundred times and its meaning shows itself

Repeated reading brings understanding. Encouraging persistence in study.
书三写，“鱼”成“鲁”，“虚”成“虎” shū sān xiě，“yú” chéng “lǔ”，“xū” chéng “hǔ”

copy a book three times and 鱼 becomes 鲁, 虚 becomes 虎

Repeated copying introduces errors, as similar-looking characters get mistaken for each other. Warns about textual mistakes and distorted retelling.
输得自己，赢得他人 shū dé zìjǐ，yíngdé tārén

dare to lose yourself, and you win others

If you are willing to pay a price or take a loss first, you can win profit or benefit later. Used approvingly about business and investment.
输棋不输人，赢棋不赢人 shū qí bù shū rén，yíng qí bù yíng rén

lose the game but don't lose as a person; win the game but don't win over the person

Keep your character when you lose, and don't look down on your opponent when you win. Said approvingly about good sportsmanship in chess and games generally.
输钱只为赢钱起 shū qián zhǐ wèi yíng qián qǐ

losing money is only because winning money started it

In gambling, losses begin with the lure of an early win. It is also said when someone who hoped to gain an advantage is tricked instead. A warning.
熟不讲礼 shú bù jiǎng lǐ

when familiar, don't stand on ceremony

Close friends needn't be formal with each other. Said to put a familiar guest at ease or to excuse informality.
熟读《唐诗三百首》，不会吟诗也会吟 shú dú《tángshī sānbǎi shǒu》，bù huì yín shī yě huì yín

read the Three Hundred Tang Poems until you know them well, and even if you can't compose poetry you will be able to

Reading many good works thoroughly teaches you how to write. It encourages wide reading to improve your writing. Compare: practice makes perfect.
熟读王叔和，不如临症多 shú dú wángshūhé，bùrú lín zhèng duō

reading Wang Shuhe thoroughly is not as good as seeing many patients

Medicine depends on clinical practice more than book learning. More generally, experience beats theory.
蜀中无大将，廖化作先锋 shǔ zhōng wú dàjiàng，liàohuà zuò xiānfēng

with no great general in Shu, Liao Hua serves as vanguard

When good people are scarce, mediocre ones get the important job. Mildly mocking. Compare: in the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
数人下米，量体裁衣 shǔ rén xià mǐ，liàngtǐcáiyī

count the people to put in the rice; cut the clothes to the body

Adjust what you do to the actual situation. The book refers to a related saying.
树不成林怕大风 shù bù chéng lín pà dàfēng

trees that don't form a forest fear strong wind

A lone or weak party can't withstand a major disaster. It stresses strength in numbers.
树不修不成材，儿不育不成人 shù bù xiū bù chéngcái，ér bù yù bù chéng rén

a tree not pruned won't become timber; a child not raised won't become a person

People need education and discipline to turn out well. Approving of strict upbringing.
树大阴凉大 shù dà yīnliáng dà

a big tree gives big shade

Powerful people attract many followers who depend on them. Compare: it's good to have a big tree to lean on.
树大有枯枝 shù dà yǒu kū zhī

a big tree has dead branches

In any large group there are bound to be a few bad members. Compare: every family has a black sheep.
树大招风，名高招忌 shùdàzhāofēng，mínggāozhāojì

a big tree draws the wind; high fame draws envy

Becoming famous or prominent invites jealousy and trouble.
树倒猢狲散 shùdǎohúsūn sàn

when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter

When a powerful person falls, his followers desert him. Cynical. Compare: rats leaving a sinking ship.
树高千丈，叶落归根 shù gāo qiān zhàng，yèluòguīgēn

a tree may grow a thousand feet high, but the leaves fall back to the roots

People who have lived far away will in old age return to their homeland.
树靠一张皮，人争一口气 shù kào yī zhāng pí，rén zhēng yī kǒu qì

a tree depends on its bark; a person strives for a breath

A person needs pride and ambition to make life worthwhile. Approving.
树老根多，人老话多 shù lǎo gēn duō，rén lǎo huà duō

an old tree has many roots; an old person has many words

Older people tend to talk a lot and nag. Said teasingly or ruefully.
树老怕空，人老怕松 shù lǎo pà kōng，rén lǎo pà sōng

old trees fear going hollow; old people fear going slack

As people age, they must guard against losing their drive and discipline.
树苗好栽成材难 shùmiáo hǎo zāi chéngcái nán

saplings are easy to plant, but growing them into timber is hard

Raising people to be useful takes a long, difficult effort.
树怕没根，人怕没理 shù pà méi gēn，rén pà méi lǐ

a tree fears having no roots; a person fears being in the wrong

A person who has no reason on their side can't stand firm. Reason is what counts.
树怕软藤缠 shù pà ruǎn téng chán

trees fear being wrapped by soft vines

People find it hard to resist gentle but persistent pressure.
树要直，人要实 shù yào zhí，rén yào shí

trees should be straight, people should be honest

Honest, down-to-earth people earn trust, as straight trees become timber.
树有皮，人有脸 shù yǒu pí，rén yǒu liǎn

trees have bark, people have faces

People care about their dignity and reputation, as trees need bark. The book refers to a variant.
树长根，人长心 shù zhǎng gēn，rén zhǎng xīn

a tree grows roots, a person grows a heart

People need a conscience to get by in life, as a tree needs deep roots.
树正不怕月影斜 shù zhèng bùpà yuè yǐng xié

if the tree is straight, it doesn't fear a slanting moon shadow

If you are upright, you needn't fear rumours or suspicion. Compare: a clear conscience fears no accusation.
树直用处多，人直朋友多 shù zhí yòngchù duō，rén zhí péngyou duō

a straight tree has many uses; an upright person has many friends

Honest, upright people are trusted and valued everywhere. Approving.
摔跤也要向前倒 shuāijiāo yě yào xiàng qián dǎo

even when you fall, fall forward

Even when you suffer a setback, keep pushing forward. Encouraging.
摔了个跟头，拾了个明白 shuāile ge gēntou，shíle ge míngbai

took a tumble, picked up some understanding

A setback teaches you something. Said consolingly or reflectively. Close to "you learn from your mistakes".
拴住驴嘴马嘴，拴不住人嘴 shuānzhù lǘ zuǐ mǎ zuǐ, shuān bù zhù rén zuǐ

you can tie up a donkey's mouth or a horse's mouth, but not people's mouths

You can't stop people from talking or voicing opinions. Often said as a warning against trying to silence criticism.
拴住人，拴不住心 shuānzhù rén, shuān bù zhù xīn

you can tie down the person but not the heart

Force can keep someone physically but cannot win their loyalty or love.
双木桥好走，独木桥难行 shuāng mùqiáo hǎo zǒu, dúmùqiáo nán xíng

a two-log bridge is easy to walk, a one-log bridge is hard to cross

Act on a secure footing and don't stubbornly go your own way. Advises caution and cooperation.
双拳不敌四手 shuāng quánbù dí sì shǒu

two fists are no match for four hands

One person can't beat several opponents. Close to "you can't fight a crowd". See 好手不敌双拳，双拳不如四手.
双手难捉两条鱼 shuāng shǒu nán zhuō liǎng tiáo yú

two hands can hardly catch two fish

One person can't do two things well at once. Close to "you can't chase two rabbits at once".
双手是活宝，一世用不了 shuāng shǒu shì huó bǎo, yīshì yòng bùliǎo

two hands are a living treasure, a lifetime can't use them up

With your own hands you can earn a living all your life. Approving; encourages hard work.
水帮鱼，鱼帮水 shuǐ bāng yú, yú bāng shuǐ

water helps fish, fish help water

People with shared interests should help each other. Approving. Close to "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours".
水不激不跃，人不激不奋 shuǐ bù jī bù yuè, rén bù jī bù fèn

water doesn't leap unless stirred, people aren't spurred on unless provoked

People need encouragement or a challenge to push themselves.

Every kind of Chinese saying