Chinese proverbs (谚语)

医得病，医不得命；医得身，医不得心 yī de bìng, yībude mìng, yī de shēn, yībude xīn

can cure illness but not fate; can cure the body but not the heart

Doctors can heal disease but not prevent death, and can restore the body but not heal emotional wounds.
疑人不用，用人不疑 yírénbùyòng, yòngrénbùyí

don't employ someone you doubt; don't doubt someone you employ

Advice on management: hire only those you trust, then trust them fully. Approving.
疑心生暗鬼 yíxīnshēngànguǐ

suspicion breeds hidden ghosts

Suspicion makes people imagine threats that aren't there. Like 'a guilty mind sees ghosts'.
艺多不碍身 yì duō bù ài shēn

many skills don't weigh on the body

Learning many skills never hurts; they may come in handy. Encouraging.
艺高人胆大 yì gāo rén dǎn dà

high skill, big courage

A highly skilled person dares to take on difficult tasks with confidence. Approving, sometimes hinting at daring.
饮食要带三分饥 yǐnshí yào dài sān fēn jī

when eating, keep three parts hungry

Don't eat until completely full; moderation in diet is healthy.
应知读书难，在于点滴勤 yīng zhī dúshū nán, zàiyú diǎndī qín

know that study is hard; it lies in diligence drop by drop

Learning is hard and comes from steady daily effort, not bursts. Encouraging advice to students.
英雄出少年 yīngxióng chū shàonián

heroes come from the young

Great talents often emerge among the young. Encouraging, praising youthful achievement.
英雄敬英雄，好汉爱好汉 yīngxióng jìng yīngxióng, hǎohàn ài hǎohàn

heroes respect heroes, good fellows love good fellows

Capable, upright people respect and value each other.
英雄难过美人关 yīngxióng nán guò měirén guān

a hero finds it hard to pass the beauty's gate

Even strong men fall to a woman's charms. Often said humorously or in warning.
英雄所见略同 yīngxióng suǒjiàn lüè tóng

heroes see roughly the same

Capable people tend to reach similar views. Said playfully when two people agree: 'great minds think alike'.
英雄有泪不轻弹 yīngxióng yǒu lèi bù qīng tán

a hero doesn't easily flick away tears

A strong person doesn't cry easily. Said of restraint in emotion, often of men.
英雄只怕病来磨 yīngxióng zhǐ pà bìng lái mó

a hero fears only the grind of illness

Even the strongest person is worn down by prolonged illness.
樱桃好吃树难栽，不下苦功花不开 yīngtáo hǎo chī shù nán zāi, bù xià kǔgōng huā bù kāi

cherries taste good but the tree is hard to grow; without hard work no blossoms open

Good results need hard effort. Encouraging, like 'no pain, no gain'.
庸医杀人不用刀 yōngyī shā rén bù yòng dāo

a quack doctor kills without needing a knife

A incompetent doctor who misdiagnoses or prescribes the wrong medicine can kill a patient. Critical warning about incompetence.
用人的钱嘴软，欠人的债理短 yòng rén de qián zuǐruǎn, qiàn rén de zhài lǐduǎn

use someone's money and your mouth goes soft; owe someone a debt and your argument falls short

If you take money from or owe money to someone, you lose the standing to argue with them and must defer to them.
用人容易识人难 yòng rén róngyì shí rén nán

employing people is easy; knowing people is hard

It is easy to put people to work but hard to truly understand their character. Said when choosing or judging people.
由俭入奢易，由奢入俭难 yóu jiǎn rù shē yì, yóu shē rù jiǎn nán

going from thrift to extravagance is easy; going from extravagance to thrift is hard

Once people get used to luxury, it is very hard to go back to frugal living. A warning against developing expensive habits.
有把门的，没有把嘴的 yǒu bǎmén de，méiyǒu bǎ zuǐ de

there are people to guard doors but none to guard mouths

You can guard a gate but you can't stop people from talking. Said when gossip or criticism can't be silenced.
有病不瞒医，瞒医害自己 yǒu bìng bù mán yī，mán yī hài zìjǐ

when ill, don't hide things from the doctor; hiding from the doctor harms yourself

Be honest with your doctor, or treatment will suffer. Also used figuratively: admit your faults, or you will only hurt yourself.
有病自己知 yǒu bìng zìjǐ zhī

the sick person knows their own illness

You know your own condition best. Figuratively, you know your own problems better than anyone else.
有车就有辙，有树就有影 yǒu chē jiù yǒu zhé，yǒu shù jiù yǒu yǐng

where there is a cart there are ruts; where there is a tree there is a shadow

Whatever you do leaves traces behind. Used to say that actions can be traced.
有错不改，好比下雨背干柴 yǒu cuò bù gǎi，hǎobǐ xiàyǔ bēi gānchái

not fixing a mistake is like carrying dry firewood in the rain

Carrying firewood in the rain makes it wetter and heavier; likewise, leaving a mistake uncorrected makes things worse. A warning to correct errors promptly.
有得必有失 yǒu dé bì yǒu shī

where there is gain there must be loss

Every achievement comes at a price. Similar to 'you can't have your cake and eat it'.
有恩不报非丈夫 yǒu ēn bù bào fēi zhàngfū

one who doesn't repay a kindness is no real man

A person of honour must repay favours. The book notes the usual form is 知恩不报非君子. Traditional, with a male-honour framing.
有饭大家吃 yǒu fàn dàjiā chī

when there is rice, everyone eats

When there are gains or benefits, everyone should share them.
有风方起浪，无潮水自平 yǒu fēng fāng qǐ làng，wú cháo shuǐ zì píng

waves rise only when there is wind; with no tide the water stays calm

Things happen for a reason. Similar to 'there's no smoke without fire'.
有功必赏，有罪必罚 yǒu gōng bì shǎng，yǒu zuì bì fá

reward every merit, punish every offence

Rewards and punishments should be applied strictly and fairly, so as to motivate subordinates.
有话便长，无话便短 yǒu huà biàn cháng，wú huà biàn duǎn

if there is something to say, go long; if not, keep it short

Originally a storyteller's rule: expand on what matters and skip the rest. Now: make a speech or text as long or short as its content needs.
有借有还，再借不难 yǒu jiè yǒu huán，zài jiè bù nán

borrow and return, and borrowing again is not hard

If you repay what you borrow on time, people will lend to you again. Encourages trustworthiness.
有理不送礼，送礼必无理 yǒulǐ bù sònglǐ，sònglǐ bì wúlǐ

those in the right don't give gifts; those who give gifts must be in the wrong

People with a just case don't need to bribe anyone, so someone offering gifts probably has a weak case. Used critically of bribery.
有理不在声高 yǒulǐ bù zài shēng gāo

being right doesn't lie in a loud voice

A sound argument persuades without shouting. Said to someone who raises their voice.
有理让三分 yǒulǐ ràng sān fēn

even when right, yield three parts

Even if you are in the right, be generous and give the other side some face. Advises against pressing your advantage.
有理言自壮，负屈声自高 yǒulǐ yán zì zhuàng，fùqū shēng zì gāo

the one in the right speaks boldly; the wronged one naturally speaks loudly

Those who are right speak with confidence, and those who have been wronged cry out loudly.
有理走遍天下，无理寸步难行 yǒulǐ zǒubiàn tiānxià，wúlǐ cùnbùnánxíng

with reason you can go all over the world; without it you can't move an inch

Being in the right gets you anywhere, while being in the wrong gets you nowhere. Reason comes first.
有奶便是娘 yǒu nǎi biàn shì niáng

whoever has milk is mother

Said critically of those who side with whoever gives them benefits, with no loyalty or principle.
有其父必有其子 yǒu qí fù bì yǒu qí zǐ

like father, like son

A son resembles his father in character and conduct, as the father's behaviour influences him. Close to the English 'like father, like son'.
有千年产，没千年主 yǒu qiān nián chǎn，méi qiān nián zhǔ

there are thousand-year estates but no thousand-year owners

Property lasts but its owners keep changing; holding on to a family fortune is hard.
有钱常记无钱日 yǒu qián cháng jì wú qián rì

when you have money, keep in mind the days without it

Be thrifty when times are good, remembering past hardship.
有钱难买回头看，头若回看后悔无 yǒu qián nán mǎi huítóu kàn，tóu ruò huí kàn hòuhuǐ wú

money can't buy looking back; if you look back, there's no regret

Reviewing what you've done reduces mistakes and so spares you regret.
有钱难买经验多 yǒu qián nán mǎi jīngyàn duō

money can't buy a wealth of experience

Experience is precious and can't be bought.
有钱难买子孙贤 yǒu qián nán mǎi zǐsūn xián

money can't buy virtuous descendants

Having capable, decent children and grandchildren is a rare blessing that wealth can't buy.
有钱能使鬼推磨 yǒu qián néng shǐ guǐ tuī mò

with money you can make even ghosts push the millstone

Money can get anything done. Cynical; close to 'money talks'.
有情人终成眷属，是鸳鸯棒打不分 yǒu qíng rén zhōng chéng juànshǔ，shì yuānyāng bàng dǎ bù fēn

lovers will finally become a couple; true mandarin ducks can't be parted even by beating

People truly in love will end up together, whatever is done to separate them. Romantic, approving.
有麝自然香，不必迎风扬 yǒu shè zìrán xiāng，bùbì yíngfēng yáng

if you have musk it smells sweet by itself, no need to wave it in the wind

Real quality needs no boasting; it will become known by itself.
有心不怕迟 yǒuxīn bùpà chí

if your heart is in it, don't fear being late

If you really intend to do something, it doesn't matter if you start late.
有心送佛，要送到西天 yǒuxīn sòng fó，yào sòngdào xītiān

if you mean to see the Buddha off, see him all the way to the Western Heaven

If you set out to help someone, see it through to the end. The usual form is 送佛送到西天.
有一利即有一弊 yǒu yī lì jí yǒu yī bì

for every benefit there is a drawback

Everything has both good and bad sides, so look at problems from both angles.
有意栽花花不发，无心插柳柳成阴 yǒuyì zāi huā huā bù fā，wúxīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yīn

plant flowers on purpose and they don't bloom; stick in willow twigs carelessly and they grow into shade

What you work hard for often fails, while what you do without intending sometimes succeeds. Resembles 'a watched pot never boils' in spirit.
有勇无谋，一事无成 yǒuyǒngwúmóu，yīshìwúchéng

courage without strategy accomplishes nothing

Courage alone isn't enough; one needs planning too. Critical of reckless people.
有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不相逢 yǒuyuán qiān lǐ lái xiānghuì，wúyuán duìmiàn bù xiāngféng

with fate, people meet across a thousand miles; without it, they miss each other face to face

Meetings between people are decided by destiny: those fated to meet will, however far apart, and those not fated won't, however close.
有志不在年高，无志空活百岁 yǒu zhì bù zài nián gāo，wú zhì kōng huó bǎi suì

ambition isn't a matter of old age; without ambition you live a hundred years in vain

Young people with goals can achieve great things, while a person with no aim wastes even a long life. Encouraging.
有志者事竟成 yǒuzhìzhěshìjìngchéng

one with will, the matter in the end succeeds

Where there's a will there's a way; determined people eventually succeed.
有状元徒弟，没有状元师傅 yǒu zhuàngyuan túdì，méiyǒu zhuàngyuan shīfu

there are top-scholar apprentices but no top-scholar masters

A teacher can guide you, but to become outstanding you must work hard yourself.
鱼不可离了水，虎不可离了冈 yú bùkě líle shuǐ，hǔ bù kě líle gāng

a fish must not leave the water, a tiger must not leave its ridge

A person must not lose the base that they depend on to live and grow. Advice to stay rooted in one's foundation.
鱼见饵不见钩 yú jiàn ěr bù jiàn gōu

the fish sees the bait but not the hook

People often see the gain and miss the danger. Warns against being lured by profit. Close to "greed blinds you to the trap".
鱼怕水浅，人怕护短 yú pà shuǐ qiǎn，rén pà hùduǎn

fish fear shallow water, people fear defending their faults

A person who defends their flaws and rejects criticism cannot improve, just as a fish cannot swim in shallow water.
渔夫观水势，猎人望鸟飞 yúfū guān shuǐshì，lièrén wàng niǎo fēi

the fisherman watches the water's flow, the hunter watches the birds fly

People always pay attention to what bears on their own trade.
愚者千虑，必有一得 yúzhě qiān lǜ，bì yǒu yī dé

a fool thinking a thousand times will surely get one thing right

Even a slow thinker will have a good idea after enough thought. Often said modestly about one's own suggestion.
与君一夕话，胜读十年书 yǔ jūn yī xī huà，shèng dú shí nián shū

one evening's talk with you beats ten years of reading

Praises a conversation with a wise person that teaches a great deal in a short time. Often said as a compliment.
与人方便，自己方便 yǔ rén fāngbiàn，zìjǐfāngbiàn

give others convenience and you have convenience yourself

If you help others, you will be helped in return. Close to "one good turn deserves another".
玉不琢，不成器 yù bù zhuó，bù chéngqì

jade not carved does not become a vessel

People need education and discipline to become capable. Often said to encourage strict schooling.
欲多伤神，财多累心 yù duō shāngshén，cái duō lèixīn

many desires hurt the spirit, much wealth wearies the heart

Too much wanting and too much money bring mental strain. Advises contentment.
欲人不知，莫若不为；欲人不闻，莫若不言 yù rén bù zhī，mòruò bùwéi；yù rén bù wén，mòruò bù yán

if you don't want people to know, better not do it; if you don't want people to hear, better not say it

Don't do what you must hide, and don't say what you don't want repeated. Close to "if you don't want it known, don't do it".
冤仇可解不可结 yuānchóu kě jiě bùkě jié

a grudge can be untied, not tied tighter

Resolve grudges rather than deepen them.
冤有头，债有主 yuān yǒu tóu，zhài yǒu zhǔ

every wrong has its source, every debt its owner

Blame or claims should go to the person actually responsible, not to bystanders. Said when seeking redress or refusing blame.
远来的和尚会念经 yuǎnláide héshang huì niànjīng

the monk from afar knows how to chant the sutras

Outsiders are respected more than locals, even if no better. Critical or wry. Close to "a prophet is not without honour except in his own country".
远亲不如近邻 yuǎnqīn bùrú jìnlín

distant relatives are not as good as near neighbours

Neighbours can help in need more than faraway kin. Approving of good neighbourly ties.
远水不解近渴 yuǎnshuǐbùjiějìnkě

distant water doesn't quench near thirst

A slow remedy cannot meet an urgent need.
远水不救近火 yuǎnshuǐbùjiùjìnhuǒ

distant water doesn't put out a near fire

Slow help is useless in an immediate emergency.
远行无急步 yuǎnxíng wú jí bù

on a long journey there are no hurried steps

For a long or big task, go steadily and do not rush.
月满则亏，水满则溢 yuèmǎnzékuī，shuǐmǎnzéyì

when the moon is full it wanes, when water is full it overflows

Things decline after reaching their peak. A warning against complacency.
云里千条路，云外路千条 yún lǐ qiān tiáo lù，yún wài lù qiān tiáo

in the clouds a thousand roads, beyond the clouds a thousand roads

There are many ways to get things done; it depends on whether you find them.
运到时来，铁树开花 yùndàoshílái，tiěshùkāihuā

when luck and time arrive, the iron tree blooms

When fortune comes, even the hardest things become possible. Said of a lucky streak.
栽刺不如栽花 zāi cì bùrú zāi huā

planting thorns is worse than planting flowers

Being kind to people is better than hurting them and making enemies.
宰相肚里好撑船 zǎixiàng dù li hǎo chēng chuán

in the prime minister's belly a boat can be poled

A big-hearted person forgives easily. Said as a flattering plea for forgiveness, or in praise of generosity.
再平的路，也会有几块石头 zài píng de lù，yě huì yǒu jǐ kuài shítou

even the smoothest road has a few stones

There will always be some obstacles on the way forward.
在家不知出门苦 zàijiā bù zhī chūmén kǔ

at home you don't know the hardship of going out

Those who stay at home don't understand the difficulties of people away from home.
在家靠父母，出门靠朋友 zàijiā kào fùmǔ，chūmén kào péngyou

at home rely on parents, away rely on friends

Parents look after you at home; away from home you need friends' help. Approving of friendship.
在家千日好，出门一时难 zàijiā qiān rì hǎo，chūmén yīshí nán

at home a thousand days are good, away one moment is hard

Home is comfortable, and even a short time away brings difficulties. Dated tone.
在人矮檐下，怎敢不低头 zài rén ǎi yán xià，zěn gǎn bù dītóu

under another's low eaves, how dare you not bow your head

When you depend on someone, you have to put up with it. Said resignedly. Close to "beggars can't be choosers".
赞人陷人皆是口，推人扶人皆是手 zàn rén xiàn rén jiē shì kǒu，tuī rén fú rén jiē shì shǒu

praising and framing people are both done by the mouth, pushing and helping people are both done by the hand

The same mouth can praise or slander, the same hand help or harm. It shows that people choose how to use their power.
早晨栽下树，到晚要乘凉 zǎochén zāixià shù，dào wǎn yào chéngliáng

plant a tree in the morning, and want to rest in its shade by evening

Said of people who want benefits right after acting. It warns that impatience for quick results won't work. Close to "Rome wasn't built in a day."
早起三光，迟起三慌 zǎo qǐ sān guāng，chí qǐ sānhuāng

get up early and everything is done; get up late and everything is a panic

Getting up early lets you finish your tasks calmly, while getting up late leaves you rushing and falling behind. Encourages early rising. Close to "The early bird catches the worm."
早霞不出门，晚霞行千里 zǎoxiá bù chūmén，wǎnxiá xíng qiān lǐ

with morning glow, don't go out; with evening glow, travel a thousand miles

A weather proverb: a red sky at dawn means rain that day, and a red sky at dusk means lasting fair weather. Compare "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in morning, shepherd's warning."
早知今日，悔不当初 zǎo zhī jīnrì，huǐ bù dāngchū

if I had known today, I regret not (acting differently) at the start

Said in regret when bad consequences arrive, wishing one had not acted as before. Compare "If I had known then what I know now."
贼偷一更，防贼一夜 zéi tōu yī gēng，fáng zéi yī yè

the thief steals for one watch, but guarding against thieves takes all night

Guarding against wrongdoers must be constant, as they need only one chance. Advises vigilance.
贼无赃，硬似钢 zéi wú zāng，yìng sì gāng

a thief without stolen goods is hard as steel

Without evidence, wrongdoers will not admit what they did.
斩草不除根，来年依旧生 zhǎn cǎo bù chúgēn, láinián yījiù shēng

cut grass without pulling its roots and it grows again next year

If enemies or evils are not wiped out completely, trouble will return. Compare "scotch the snake, not kill it."
占小便宜吃大亏 zhàn xiǎo piányi chī dà kuī

gain small advantages, suffer big losses

People who grab small gains end up with a greater loss. A warning against petty greed.
站得高，看得远 zhàn de gāo, kàn de yuǎn

stand high, see far

A higher vantage point, or broader outlook, gives a wider view. Approving.
站着说话不腰疼 zhànzhe shuōhuà bù yāo téng

talking while standing, so your back doesn't hurt

Said of onlookers who comment lightly without knowing how hard the job is for those doing it. Critical, resentful.
长者赐，不敢辞 zhǎngzhě cì bù gǎn cí

what an elder bestows, dare not decline

A polite phrase said when accepting a gift from an elder, meaning younger people should accept respectfully.
掌舵的心不慌，乘船的才稳当 zhǎngduò de xīn bù huāng, chéngchuán de cái wěndang

if the helmsman isn't panicking, passengers feel secure

When a leader stays calm in a crisis, the people follow with confidence. Approving.
丈夫不受人怜 zhàngfū bù shòu rén lián

a real man does not accept others' pity

A man should make something of himself and not want to be pitied. Old-fashioned and approving of self-reliance.
找人不如遇人 zhǎo rén bùrú yù rén

looking for someone is not as good as running into them

When you search for someone you can't find them, but you often meet them by chance.
这山望着那山高 zhè shān wàngzhe nà shān gāo

standing on this mountain, the other mountain looks higher

People feel the grass is greener elsewhere: they think other people's jobs or lives are better than their own. Mildly critical.
针插不入，水泼不进 zhēn chā bù rù, shuǐ pō bù jìn

a needle can't be stuck in, water can't be splashed in

Describes a place so tightly guarded or sealed that outsiders can't get in or interfere. Similar to 'watertight'.
真的假不了，假的真不了 zhēn de jiǎ bùliǎo, jiǎ de zhēn bùliǎo

the real can't be fake, the fake can't be real

Truth and falsehood are clearly distinct and cannot be confused. Said to stress that the truth will show.
真话好说，假话难编 zhēn huà hǎo shuō, jiǎ huà nán biān

truth is easy to tell, lies are hard to make up

If you tell the truth, you only report things as they are, while a lie has gaps and is hard to keep consistent.

Every kind of Chinese saying