Chinese proverbs (谚语)

无欺心自安 wú qī xīn zì ān

without deceiving, the heart is at peace

If you act fairly and cheat no one, your conscience is clear. Approving in tone.
无巧不成书 wú qiǎo bù chéng shū

without coincidence there would be no book

Said when things turn out by remarkable coincidence, as stories are made of coincidences. Close to "truth is stranger than fiction."
无情未必是英雄 wúqíng wèibì shì yīngxióng

the unfeeling are not necessarily heroes

A true hero is not cold-hearted; real heroes have deep feelings. Often used to defend tenderness in strong people.
无求到处人情好 wú qiú dàochù rénqíng hǎo

wanting nothing, you find goodwill everywhere

If you ask nothing of others, you get along with everyone easily. Used to recommend independence and not asking favours.
无事不登三宝殿 wú shì bù dēng sānbǎodiàn

without business, one doesn't climb into the Hall of the Three Treasures

People only visit when they want something. Said, often with a smile, to a visitor who has turned up with a request. Close to "nobody calls without a reason."
无事一身轻 wú shì yīshēn qīng

with no worries, the body is light

When nothing is weighing on your mind, you feel relaxed and free. Said of relief after finishing a task or leaving a duty.
无心为善，乃是真善 wúxīn wéi shàn, nǎi shì zhēn shàn

doing good without intent is true goodness

Real kindness is done without any ulterior motive or wish for credit. Approving and moral in tone.
无赃难定罪 wú zāng nán dìngzuì

without stolen goods it is hard to fix guilt

Without physical evidence, it is hard to convict someone. Used in legal or investigative contexts.
无债一身轻 wú zhài yīshēn qīng

without debt, the body is light

Being free of debt lets you feel relaxed. Said when one has paid off what one owed.
无针不引线，无水不渡船 wú zhēn bù yǐnxiàn, wú shuǐ bù dù chuán

without a needle the thread isn't led through; without water a boat can't cross

Some things can't be done without a go-between or the right means. Said of needing an intermediary to make an introduction or deal.
无志之人常立志，有志之人立常志 wú zhì zhī rén cháng lì zhì、yǒu zhì zhī rén lì cháng zhì

people without resolve often make resolutions; people with resolve make one lasting resolution

Weak-willed people keep making new vows without following through, while determined ones set a goal and hold to it for life. Used to encourage perseverance.
五十的老子不管三十的儿子 wǔshí de lǎozi bù guǎn sānshí de érzi

a fifty-year-old father doesn't manage a thirty-year-old son

By thirty a son should be independent, and his father, even if still strong, shouldn't control him.
五月鲤赛过活人参 wǔyuè lǐ sàiguò huó rénshēn

May carp beats living ginseng

Yellow River carp caught in May is extremely nutritious. A folk saying praising the fish at that season.
五岳归来不看山，黄山归来不看岳 wǔ yuè guīlái bù kàn shān, huángshān guīlái bù kàn yuè

after returning from the Five Great Mountains you need not look at mountains; after returning from Huangshan you need not look at the Great Mountains

Praises the scenery of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) as the finest of all. Used in tourism and travel talk.
武艺不能俱全 wǔyì bù néng jùquán

martial skills can't all be mastered

No one is good at everything; abilities are limited.
侮人还自侮，说人还自说 wǔ rén huán zì wǔ, shuō rén huán zì shuō

insult others and you insult yourself; talk about others and you get talked about

Insulting or gossiping about others rebounds on you. A warning against slander.
物各有主 wù gè yǒu zhǔ

every thing has its owner

Everything belongs to someone, so don't take what isn't yours.
物见主，必定取 wù jiàn zhǔ, bìdìng qǔ

when the owner sees his belongings, he is sure to take them

An owner who finds his property will certainly claim it. Said of lost items turning up.
物离乡贵 wù lí xiāng guì

goods become dear when away from their home village

Things are valued more when they come from far away, since they are scarce in the new place. It pairs with a saying that people lose status away from home.
物以稀为贵 wù yǐ xī wéi guì

things are valued for being rare

The scarcer something is, the more precious it seems. Close to "scarcity creates value."
物有不同物,人有不同人 wù yǒu bù tóng wù, rén yǒu bù tóng rén

things differ from each other, and people differ from each other

Objects and people vary, so you shouldn't treat them all alike.
物有物性,土有土性 wù yǒuwù xìng, tǔ yǒu tǔ xìng

every thing has its nature, every soil has its nature

Everything has its own characteristics, so deal with it accordingly.
物有一变,人有千变 wù yǒu yī biàn, rén yǒu qiān biàn

a thing changes once, a person changes a thousand times

People change even more than things do, so don't assume someone will stay the same.
西风吹得紧,东风来回敬 xīfēng chuī de jǐn, dōngfēng láihuíjìng

when the west wind blows hard, the east wind will answer back

Hard times don't last. After adversity comes better fortune, much like 'every cloud has a silver lining'.
惜福积福 xī fú jī fú

cherish blessings, store up blessings

Traditional belief: if you value the good fortune you have, you will build up more. It encourages thrift and gratitude.
惜衣有衣,惜食有食 xī yī yǒu yī, xī shí yǒu shí

cherish clothes and you'll have clothes; cherish food and you'll have food

If you take care of what you have and don't waste it, you will never go short. It is a thrift proverb, similar to 'waste not, want not'.
稀泥糊不上墙 xīní hú bù shàng qiáng

thin mud can't be plastered onto a wall

A person with no ambition or backbone can't be built up or helped, however hard you try. Critical. Compare 'you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear'.
习惯成自然 xíguàn chéng zìrán

habit becomes nature

Once something has become a habit, it feels natural and effortless. Compare 'habit is second nature'.
喜时多失言,怒时多失理 xǐ shí duō shīyán, nù shí duō shīlǐ

in joy one often misspeaks; in anger one often loses reason

Strong emotion leads to mistakes, so be careful of what you say or do when elated or angry.
喜事爽人心 xǐshì shuǎng rénxīn

happy events refresh the heart

When good things happen, people feel especially cheerful.
戏场小天地,天地大戏场 xìchǎng xiǎo tiāndì, tiāndì dà xìchǎng

the theatre is a small world; the world is a big theatre

The stage is a miniature of society, and society is a great stage on which people act out their lives. Compare 'all the world's a stage'.
细嚼出滋味 xì jiáo chū zīwèi

chew finely and the flavour comes out

Eat slowly to taste food. Figuratively, careful study or reflection brings deeper understanding.
细水长流,吃穿不愁 xìshuǐchángliú, chī chuān bù chóu

a thin stream flows long; no worry about food or clothes

If you live frugally and keep up a steady small income, you will never go short, even if you aren't rich.
细心没大错 xìxīn méi dà cuò

be careful and there are no big mistakes

Careful work avoids serious errors.
瞎闯过不了五关 xiā chuǎng guò bùliǎo wǔ guān

blundering blindly won't get you through the five passes

Acting recklessly without knowing the situation won't get you past the major difficulties. The image comes from Guan Yu's five passes in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
瞎子见钱眼也开 xiāzi jiàn qián yǎn yě kāi

even a blind man's eyes open at the sight of money

Money tempts everyone. Cynical.

May offend: mocks disability
狭路相逢勇者胜 xiálùxiāngféng yǒngzhě shèng

when meeting on a narrow road, the brave one wins

When two opposing sides cannot avoid each other, the bolder one wins. It is used to encourage courage in competition.
下河才知水深浅 xiàhé cái zhī shuǐ shēnqiǎn

only when you go into the river do you learn how deep it is

You need first-hand experience to understand the real situation.
下坡容易上坡难 xiàpō róngyì shàngpō nán

going downhill is easy, uphill is hard

Picking up bad habits is easy, while improving yourself is hard.
下雪不冷化雪寒 xiàxuě bù lěng huà xuě hán

it isn't cold when snow falls, but it's freezing when snow melts

The thaw feels colder than the snowfall, because melting absorbs heat. Often said when the days after the snow are the coldest.
夏不借扇,冬不借棉 xià bù jiè shàn, dōng bù jiè mián

don't borrow a fan in summer or cotton clothes in winter

Don't ask to borrow what someone needs right now; it's inconsiderate.
先断后不断 xiān duàn hòu bù duàn

decide first, not settled later

If you decide hastily, matters may be harder to settle afterwards. Advises caution before making decisions.
先虑败,后虑胜 xiān lǜ bài, hòu lǜ shèng

first consider defeat, then consider victory

Prepare for the worst first, then plan for success. Approving advice.
先明后不争 xiān míng hòu bù zhēng

make it clear first, no quarrel later

Settle the terms openly beforehand to avoid disputes afterwards. Like 'good fences make good neighbours'.
先说断,后不乱 xiān shuō duàn, hòu bù luàn

say it settled first, no mess later

Fix the conditions in advance so there are no disputes later.
先下手为强,后下手遭殃 xiān xiàshǒu wéi qiáng, hòu xiàshǒu zāoyāng

strike first and be strong, strike later and suffer

The one who acts first has the advantage; the one who delays loses out. Often used to justify acting before rivals do.
先小人,后君子 xiān xiǎorén, hòu jūnzǐ

first the petty man, then the gentleman

Be strict and spell out terms first, in business-like fashion, and then be courteous and generous. Common in deals and money matters.
闲饭难吃,闲话难听 xiánfàn nán chī, xiánhuà nántīng

idle rice is hard to eat, idle talk is hard to hear

Living off others without work is uncomfortable, and gossip behind your back is hard to bear.
闲时做下忙时用 xiánshí zuòxià mángshí yòng

make in idle time to use in busy time

Prepare in slack times for use when busy. Approving advice. Like 'make hay while the sun shines' in spirit.
县官不如现管 xiànguān bùrú xiànguǎn

the county magistrate is not as good as the one in charge right now

The person who directly controls your affairs matters more than a higher but distant authority.
相交满天下,知心能几人 xiāngjiāo mǎn tiānxià, zhīxīn néng jǐ rén

acquaintances fill the world, but how many know your heart

You may know many people but have few true friends.
相骂没好口,相打没好手 xiāngmà méi hǎo kǒu, xiāngdǎ méi hǎoshǒu

in a quarrel no kind mouth, in a fight no gentle hand

When people quarrel or fight, neither side holds back.
想治疮不能怕挖肉 xiǎng zhì chuāng bù néng pà wā ròu

to cure a sore you can't fear cutting out flesh

To fix faults you must accept criticism, and solving a problem requires a price. Like 'no pain, no gain'.
相马失之瘦,相士失之贫 xiàng mǎ shī zhī shòu, xiàng shì shī zhī pín

judging horses you err by thin, judging scholars you err by poor

Don't judge people or things by appearances: a thin horse may be fine and a poor scholar able.
小不忍则乱大谋 xiǎo bùrěn zé luàn dà móu

if you cannot bear small things, you spoil big plans

Says that losing patience over small matters can ruin a bigger plan. Used as advice to stay patient. Close to 'Patience is a virtue'.
小错护短，大错不远 xiǎo cuò hùduǎn, dà cuò bù yuǎn

shield a small fault, and a big fault is not far off

Warns that covering up small mistakes instead of correcting them soon leads to big ones.
小洞不补，大洞吃苦 xiǎo dòng bù bǔ, dà dòng chīkǔ

don't patch a small hole, and the big hole brings suffering

Warns that small problems left alone grow into big ones. Close to 'A stitch in time saves nine'.
小河沟里练不出好艄公，驴背上练不出好骑手 xiǎo hégōu li liàn bù chū hǎo shāogōng, lǘ bèi shang liàn bù chū hǎo qíshǒu

a small creek cannot train a good boatman, and a donkey's back cannot train a good rider

Says people cannot become skilled without facing wider, tougher challenges. Used to encourage going out and being tested.
小河涨水大河满，小河没水大河干 xiǎo hé zhǎngshuǐ dà hé mǎn, xiǎo hé méi shuǐ dà hé gān

when small rivers rise the big river is full; when small rivers have no water the big river runs dry

Says the wealth of individuals and that of the group are closely linked. Used to stress that the collective and its members depend on each other.
小壶里的水开得快 xiǎo hú lǐ de shuǐ kāi de kuài

water in a small kettle boils quickly

Says narrow-minded people lose their temper easily. Mildly critical.
小马乍行嫌路窄 xiǎo mǎ zhà xíng xián lù zhǎi

a young horse just starting out finds the road too narrow

Says young people with little experience are often arrogant and think they are too big for their surroundings. Mildly critical.
小钱不去，大钱不来 xiǎoqián bù qù, dàqián bù lái

if small money doesn't go, big money doesn't come

Says you must be willing to spend a little to earn a lot. Close to 'You have to spend money to make money'.
小人得志便猖狂 xiǎorén dézhì biàn chāngkuáng

a petty person who gains success turns wild and arrogant

Says that people of low character become insolent as soon as they gain power or good fortune. Critical.
小蛇出大蟒 xiǎo shé chū dà mǎng

a small snake turns into a big python

Warns that evil forces, if not stamped out early, grow into a major menace.
小时不防，大了跳墙 xiǎo shí bù fáng, dàle tiàoqiáng

if not guarded against when small, he will jump walls when grown

Says a child not strictly disciplined will turn to bad ways, even theft, as an adult. Close to 'Spare the rod, spoil the child'.
小小石头，打坏大缸 xiǎoxiǎo shítou, dǎhuài dà gāng

a small stone smashes a big vat

Says a small force can sometimes do great damage.
笑脸聚得天边客 xiàoliǎn jù de tiānbiān kè

a smiling face gathers guests from the ends of the earth

Says that courteous, friendly service draws customers from afar. A business adage.
笑一笑，十年少；愁一愁，白了头 xiào yī xiào, shí nián shào; chóu yī chóu, báile tóu

smile once, ten years younger; worry once, hair turns white

Says that laughing keeps you healthy and young, while constant worry ages you. Used to cheer someone up.
协力山成玉，同心土变金 xiélì shān chéng yù, tóngxīn tǔ biàn jīn

with united strength a mountain becomes jade; with one heart, earth turns to gold

When people work together with a common purpose, they can accomplish great things. Approving; like 'many hands make light work' or 'unity is strength'.
心病从来无药医 xīnbìng cónglái wú yào yī

heartsickness has never had a medicine to cure it

Emotional pain, such as lovesickness or trauma, cannot be cured with drugs.
心病还须心上医 xīnbìng hái xū xīn shàng yī

heartsickness must be treated at the heart

Mental troubles must be solved by dealing with the thinking behind them, not by outside means.
心诚则灵，意诚则实 xīn chéng zé líng, yì chéng zé shí

if the heart is sincere it works; if the intent is sincere it comes true

If you act sincerely, things will work out well. Approving.
心底无私天地宽 xīndǐ wúsī tiāndì kuān

with no selfishness in the heart, the world is wide

A person free of selfish thoughts has a broad, open mind and is at ease. Approving.
心慌行越慢，性急步偏迟 xīnhuāng xíng yuè màn, xìngjí bù piān chí

the more flustered the heart, the slower the going; the more impatient the temper, the later the step

Rushing in a panic makes you slower, so haste makes waste.
心急吃不了热豆腐 xīnjí chī bùliǎo rè dòufu

an impatient heart can't eat hot tofu

Being hasty gets nothing done well; you must be patient. Like 'haste makes waste'.
心记不如墨记 xīn jì bùrú mò jì

remembering with the heart is not as good as remembering with ink

Writing things down is more reliable than relying on memory. Like 'the faintest ink is better than the best memory'.
心坚石也穿 xīn jiān shí yě chuān

with a firm heart even stone can be pierced

Firm determination can overcome any difficulty. Approving; like 'where there's a will there's a way'.
心静自然凉 xīnjìng zìrán liáng

a calm heart is naturally cool

If your mind is at peace, you feel cool even in heat; it is also used to advise staying calm.
心宽出少年 xīnkuān chū shàonián

a broad heart produces youth

An open-minded, optimistic person stays healthy, lives long and ages slowly.
心里没病，不怕冷言侵 xīn li méi bìng, bù pà lěngyán qīn

with no sickness in the heart, one doesn't fear cold words

If you have a clear conscience, you need not fear gossip or criticism.
心去意难留，留下结冤仇 xīn qù yì nán liú liúxià jiē yuānchóu

when the heart has gone, the will is hard to keep; keeping them creates enmity

Don't force someone who has decided to leave to stay, as it will only breed resentment.
心要热，头要冷 xīn yào rè, tóu yào lěng

the heart should be warm, the head cool

Treat people warmly, but keep a calm, clear mind. Approving advice.
新官上任三把火 xīn guān shàngrèn sān bǎ huǒ

a new official takes office and lights three fires

A new leader starts by making some bold moves to establish authority; also, one is full of enthusiasm at the start. Often slightly sceptical.
信誉值千金 xìnyù zhí qiānjīn

credibility is worth a thousand gold

A good reputation for trustworthiness is extremely valuable.
星多夜空亮，人多智慧广 xīng duō yèkōng liàng, rén duō zhìhuì guǎng

with many stars the night sky is bright; with many people wisdom is broad

Gathering many people's ideas yields better solutions. Like 'two heads are better than one'.
星星之火，可以燎原 xīngxīngzhīhuǒ, kěyǐ liáoyuán

a single spark can set the prairie ablaze

A small new thing can grow into something huge. Approving; like 'from small acorns, mighty oaks grow'.
惺惺惜惺惺，好汉识好汉 xīngxīng xī xīngxīng, hǎohàn shí hǎohàn

clever people cherish clever people; heroes recognise heroes

Capable people respect and value one another. Approving.
行百里，半九十 xíng bǎi lǐ, bàn jiǔshí

on a hundred-li journey, ninety is only half

The closer you get to success, the harder it is, so persevere to the end. Like 'the last mile is the longest'.
行车有车道，唱歌有曲调 xíngchē yǒu chēdào, chànggē yǒu qǔdiào

driving has its lanes, singing has its tune

Everything has its own rules and procedures that should be followed. Said in a neutral, explanatory way when someone ignores regulations.
行船最怕顶头风 xíngchuán zuì pà dǐngtóu fēng

when sailing a boat, what you fear most is a headwind

What people dread most when working is meeting strong resistance or obstruction. Said sympathetically about obstacles.
行得春风有夏雨 xíng de chūnfēng yǒu xià yǔ

if you spread the spring breeze, you will get summer rain

Help others and you can expect help in return. Approving; close to 'one good turn deserves another'.
行路的怕黑天，说谎的怕戳穿 xíng lù de pà hēitiān, shuō huǎng de pà chuōchuān

travellers fear dark skies; liars fear being exposed

Just as darkness hinders travel, a lie loses all value once exposed. Used as a warning against lying.
行要好伴，住要好邻 xíng yào hǎo bàn, zhù yào hǎo lín

for travelling you want a good companion, for living you want a good neighbour

Good company on the road and good neighbours at home are both important. Said approvingly when advising people to choose companions carefully.
性急钓不得大鱼 xìngjí diàobude dà yú

an impatient person cannot catch big fish

Someone too hasty cannot accomplish great things. Advice to be patient; close to 'patience is a virtue'.
兄弟虽和勤算账 xiōngdì suī hé qín suànzhàng

though brothers get along, keep accounts carefully

Even close family should settle money matters clearly, to avoid quarrels later. Practical advice; compare 'good fences make good neighbours'.
休道黄金贵，安乐最值钱 xiū dào huángjīn guì, ānlè zuì zhíqián

don't say gold is precious; peace and happiness are worth the most

Peace and contentment are more valuable than wealth. Approving; like 'health and happiness are worth more than gold'.
休恋故乡生处好，受恩深处便为家 xiū liàn gùxiāng shēng chù hǎo, shòu ēn shēnchù biàn wéi jiā

don't cling to the place of birth as best; where you are deeply treated well, make your home

Don't be sentimentally tied to your hometown; settle wherever your prospects are good. Encouraging people to move on.
朽木不可以为柱，卑人不可以为主 xiǔmù bùkěyǐ wéi zhù, bēirén bùkěyǐ wéi zhǔ

rotten wood cannot be used as a pillar; a base person cannot be made a leader

Don't rely on rotten material for support, and don't put people of low character in charge. Critical, a warning about choosing leaders.
秀才人情纸半张 xiùcai rénqíng zhǐ bàn zhāng

a scholar's favour is half a sheet of paper

A modest gift offered out of courtesy, as poor scholars could only give calligraphy or paintings. Now used politely about a small token.
虚心万事能成，自满十事九空 xūxīn wànshì néng chéng, zìmǎn shí shì jiǔ kōng

with humility, everything can succeed; with complacency, nine tasks in ten come to nothing

Being modest and asking for advice leads to success; arrogance leads to failure. Moral advice; like 'pride comes before a fall'.

Every kind of Chinese saying