Chinese proverbs (谚语)

各人冷暖，各人自知 gè rén lěngnuǎn, gè rén zì zhī

each person's cold and warmth, each knows for himself

Only you know how your own situation really feels. It is said when outsiders cannot judge someone's circumstances.
各人头上一方天 gè rén tóu shang yī fāng tiān

over each person's head, a patch of sky

Everyone has a space and a life of their own. It is said to advise respecting each person's independence.
各人养的各人疼 gèrén yǎng de gèrén téng

each person dotes on the one he raised

Parents cherish their own children best. It is said when people are naturally partial to their own.
各人自扫门前雪，莫管他家瓦上霜 gè rén zì sǎo mén qián xuě, mò guǎn tājiā wǎ shang shuāng

each person sweeps the snow before his own door and doesn't mind the frost on other families' roof tiles

Look after your own affairs and stay out of other people's, to avoid trouble. Often a mildly critical description of a self-centred, old-style outlook. Close to "mind your own business".
各有各的牢笼计，各有各的跳墙法 gè yǒu gè de láolóng jì, gè yǒu gè de tiào qiáng fǎ

each has his own trap plan, each has his own way of jumping the wall

Everyone has their own schemes and ways of dealing with a situation. It is said when each side has its own tricks and countermeasures.
各有因缘莫羡人 gè yǒu yīnyuán mò xiàn rén

each has their own fate; don't envy others

People's destinies differ, so do not envy others. It is a consoling, accepting remark.
给人方便，自己方便 gěi rén fāngbiàn, zìjǐ fāngbiàn

give others convenience, and you have convenience yourself

Helping others makes things easier for yourself too. It encourages being accommodating. Close to "one good turn deserves another".
根深才会叶茂 gēn shēn cái huì yè mào

only with deep roots will the leaves be lush

A solid foundation is needed for something to flourish. It is said in encouragement to build basics first.
根子不正秧子歪 gēnzi bù zhèng yāngzi wāi

if the root isn't straight, the seedling is crooked

Someone whose basic nature is bad will go astray. It is critical, and also used of bad influences from the top.
跟着什么人学什么人，跟着巫婆会跳神 gēnzhe shénme rén xué shénme rén, gēnzhe wūpó huì tiàoshén

you learn to be like whoever you follow; follow a witch and you'll learn to dance in a trance

People pick up the habits of those around them, usually a warning that bad company makes you bad. Close to "you are known by the company you keep".
工多出巧艺 gōng duō chū qiǎo yì

much work brings out fine skill

The more effort you put in, the finer your skill. Close to "practice makes perfect".
弓是弯的，理是直的 gōng shì wān de, lǐ shì zhí de

the bow is bent, but reason is straight

Truth is always fair and upright, however crooked things may seem.
弓硬弦常断，人强祸必随 gōng yìng xián cháng duàn, rén qiáng huò bì suí

a stiff bow often snaps its string; a man too strong will meet disaster

Warns against being overly aggressive or showing off, since disaster follows.
公不离婆，秤不离砣 gōng bù lí pó, chèng bù lí tuó

the husband doesn't leave the wife, the steelyard doesn't leave its weight

An elderly couple depend on each other as inseparable partners. Warm and affectionate.
公道世间唯白发，贵人头上不曾饶 gōngdao shìjiān wéi báifà, guìrén tóu shang bùcéng ráo

the only fair thing in the world is white hair; it never spared even the noble

Everyone, high or low, grows old and grey. It says that time treats all people equally.
公道自在人心 gōngdào zì zài rénxīn

fairness lies in people's hearts

People have their own sense of what is right and wrong, so the truth will be recognised in the end.
公鸡总是在自己的粪堆上称雄 gōngjī zǒng shì zài zìjǐ de fèndūi shang chēngxióng

a rooster always plays king on his own dung heap

Criticises narrow-minded people who act proud and important only in their own small circle. Close to "a big fish in a small pond".
公生明，廉生威 gōng shēng míng, lián shēng wēi

fairness brings clear judgement, integrity brings authority

An official who is just can see clearly, and one who is honest earns respect.
功到自然成 gōngdàozìránchéng

when the effort is enough, success comes naturally

If you put in enough work, the result will follow. It is encouraging.
功夫不负有心人 gōngfu bù fù yǒuxīnrén

effort does not let down the person who has set their mind on it

Anyone who is determined and works hard will be rewarded. It is encouraging. Close to "where there's a will there's a way".
供一饥，不能供百饱 gōng yī jī, bù néng gōng bǎi bǎo

you can feed one hunger, but cannot supply a hundred full meals

Helping someone once does not solve their problem for good. It means that lasting help is needed.
恭敬不如从命 gōngjìng bùrú cóngmìng

being respectful is not as good as obeying orders

A polite thing to say when accepting an offer or invitation after first declining, as the host insists. Roughly "it would be rude to refuse".
狗不嫌家穷，人不嫌地薄 gǒu bù xián jiā qióng, rén bù xián dì báo

a dog doesn't mind its home being poor, a person doesn't mind the land being thin

People stay attached to their homeland however poor it is.
狗不咬上门客 gǒu bù yǎo shàngmén kè

dogs don't bite guests who come to the door

Even a dog doesn't bark at visitors, so people should be polite to guests.
狗改不了吃屎 gǒu gǎi bùliǎo chī shǐ

a dog can't give up eating excrement

A bad person can't change their bad habits. Coarse and insulting. Close to 'a leopard can't change its spots'.

May offend: vulgar language
狗急跳墙，鸡急起飞 gǒujítiào qiáng, jījíqǐfēi

a cornered dog jumps the wall, a cornered chicken flies up

A person pushed into a corner will do anything, even desperate things.
狗行千里吃屎，狼行千里吃肉 gǒu xíng qiān lǐ chī shǐ, láng xíng qiān lǐ chī ròu

a dog travels a thousand li and eats excrement, a wolf travels a thousand li and eats meat

Bad people do bad things wherever they go. Contemptuous.

May offend: vulgar language
孤掌难鸣，独木难支 gūzhǎngnánmíng, dúmùnánzhī

one palm can hardly clap, a single log can hardly hold up a building

One person alone is too weak to achieve much; you need others. Close to 'it takes two to tango' or 'there is strength in numbers'.
姑娘是母亲的影子 gūniang shì mǔqīn de yǐngzi

a daughter is her mother's shadow

A daughter often resembles her mother in looks and character.
鼓不打不响，理不辩不明 gǔ bù dǎ bù xiǎng, lǐ bù biàn bù míng

a drum doesn't sound unless struck, a principle isn't clear unless debated

The truth becomes clearer through debate.
鼓不打不响，钟不撞不鸣 gǔ bù dǎ bù xiǎng, zhōng bù zhuàng bù míng

a drum doesn't sound unless struck, a bell doesn't ring unless hit

If you don't say things plainly, others won't understand. Encourages speaking up.
故土难离 gùtǔ nán lí

the old homeland is hard to leave

People are deeply attached to their hometown and are reluctant to leave it.
瓜好吃不讲老嫩，人对眼不讲丑俊 guā hǎo chī bù jiǎng lǎo nèn, rén duìyǎn bù jiǎng chǒu jùn

if a melon tastes good you don't mind if it's ripe or young; if someone catches your eye you don't mind plain or pretty

When you really like someone, looks don't matter. Close to 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.
瓜田不纳履，李下不整冠 guā tián bù nà lǚ, lǐxià bù zhěng guān

in a melon field don't bend to put on your shoe, under a plum tree don't adjust your hat

Avoid actions that might make people suspect you of wrongdoing. Close to 'be above suspicion'.
瓜子儿不饱是人心 guāzǐr bù bǎo shì rénxīn

melon seeds don't fill you, but they show the host's heart

A small gift still carries real warmth and friendship.
寡不敌众，弱不敌强 guǎbùdízhòng, ruòbùdíqiáng

the few can't beat the many, the weak can't beat the strong

A smaller or weaker side can't win against a larger or stronger one. Often said in defeat.
乖的也疼，呆的也疼 guāi de yě téng, dāi de yě téng

the well-behaved one is loved, the slow one is loved too

Parents love their children equally, whether bright and obedient or slow. Warm and approving.
关门养虎，虎大伤人 guānmén yǎng hǔ, hǔ dà shāng rén

keep a tiger behind closed doors, and when it grows it hurts people

Warns that shielding or indulging a wrongdoer brings endless trouble later. Critical. Similar to "nurse a viper in your bosom".
观景不如听景 guān jǐng bùrú tīng jǐng

seeing the view is not as good as hearing about the view

Hearing a lively description of a scenic spot can be more enjoyable than visiting it. Said with a light, humorous tone.
观棋不语真君子，把酒多言是小人 guān qí bù yǔ zhēn jūnzǐ, bǎjiǔ duō yán shì xiǎorén

he who watches chess without speaking is a true gentleman; he who talks too much over wine is a petty man

Praises self-restraint and good manners: a cultured person does not meddle in others' games or speak foolishly when drinking.
官逼民反，民不得不反 guān bī mín fǎn, mín bù dé bù fǎn

officials drive the people to rebel, and the people have no choice but to rebel

When rulers oppress people beyond endurance, rebellion is the only way out. Sympathetic to the people, critical of the rulers.
官不打送礼人 guān bù dǎ sòng lǐ rén

officials don't beat the one who brings a gift

Even a harsh official will not strike a person who comes with a gift; so do not turn away someone who offers goodwill. Said of friendly gestures, sometimes cynically of bribes.
官大一级压死人 guān dà yī jí yāsǐ rén

one rank higher in office crushes a person to death

A superior can use power to bully those below, even if only slightly higher. Critical, often said with resignation.
官法不容情 guānfǎ bùróng qíng

the law of the state allows no favours

The law is impartial and takes no account of personal ties. Approving and stern.
官风正，民风清 guānfēng zhèng, mínfēng qīng

when officials' conduct is upright, the people's conduct is clean

If officials are honest, society's morals will be good too. Officials set the example.
官凭印信，私凭票约 guān píng yìnxìn, sī píng piàoyuē

officials rely on the seal, private people rely on the written contract

Whether in official or private dealings, you need written proof. Practical advice.
管山吃山，管水吃水 guǎn shān chī shān，guǎn shuǐ chī shuǐ

those who look after the mountain eat from the mountain; those who look after the water eat from the water

People make their living from what is around them or what their trade gives them. Neutral, practical. Close to "live off the land".
管闲事，落不是 guǎn xiánshì，lào bùshi

meddle in other people's business and end up at fault

If you interfere in matters that are not yours, you will only be blamed and disliked. A warning. Compare "mind your own business".
惯骑马的惯跌跤，河里淹死会水的 guàn qí mǎ de guàn diējiāo，hé li yānsǐ huìshuǐ de

those used to riding horses are used to falling; those who drown in the river are the ones who can swim

Skilled people grow overconfident and careless and so meet with accidents. A warning. Similar to "pride comes before a fall".
惯子如杀子 guàn zǐ rú shā zǐ

spoiling a child is like killing the child

Indulging a child too much ruins them. A strong warning to parents.
鬼火不敢见真火 guǐhuǒ bù gǎn jiàn zhēn huǒ

ghost fire dares not meet real fire

People with a guilty conscience fear honest, upright people. Said approvingly of the upright.
贵不忘贱，新不忘旧 guì bù wàng jiàn，xīn bù wàng jiù

when honoured, don't forget the humble; with the new, don't forget the old

Advice not to forget your humble past once you rise in status, or your old friends once you have new ones. Approving, moral advice.
贵精不贵多 guì jīng bù guì duō

value quality, not quantity

What matters is quality, not how much there is. Close to 'quality over quantity'.
贵人多忘事 guìrén duō wàng shì

important people forget many things

Important people forget small matters. Usually a polite or teasing line when someone has forgotten something, and sometimes a gentle dig.
贵易交，富易妻 guì yì jiāo，fù yì qī

when raised high, change friends; when rich, change wives

Old saying that people who rise in rank drop old friends, and those who get rich abandon their first wife. Used as a warning not to forget your roots.

May offend: sexist or sexual
桂林山水甲天下，阳朔山水甲桂林 guìlín shānshuǐ jiǎ tiānxià，yángshuò shānshuǐ jiǎ guìlín

Guilin's scenery is first under heaven; Yangshuo's scenery is first in Guilin

Praise of Guilin's landscape as the most beautiful in the world, and Yangshuo's as the best of Guilin.
锅里添水不如釜底抽薪 guō li tiān shuǐ bùrú fǔdǐchōuxīn

adding water to the pot is not as good as pulling firewood from under the cauldron

To stop a boil, take away the fuel. Deal with the root cause, not the surface problem.
国有国法，家有家规 guó yǒu guófǎ，jiā yǒu jiāguī

the state has laws, the family has rules

Everyone must follow the rules that apply to them, whether national laws or household rules.
过耳之言，不可听信 guò ěr zhī yán，bùkě tīngxìn

words that just pass the ear should not be believed

Don't readily believe groundless rumours.
过河探深浅，走路看高低 guò hé tàn shēnqiǎn，zǒulù kàn gāodī

test the depth when crossing a river; watch the ups and downs when walking

Be careful and don't act rashly. Similar to 'look before you leap'.
过河卒子扫千里 guò hé zúzi sǎo qiān lǐ

a pawn across the river sweeps a thousand li

An ordinary soldier, well led, can do great things; ordinary people given a chance can achieve a lot.
过了这个村儿，没这个店儿 guò le zhège cūnr，méi zhège diànr

once past this village, there's no such inn

Take the chance now, because it won't come again. Like 'it's now or never'.
过头饭难吃，过头话难讲 guò tóu fàn nán chī，guòtóu huà nán jiǎng

overdone rice is hard to eat; overdone words are hard to say

Don't go too far in speech; keep a sense of proportion, as with eating.
蛤蟆死了还要跳三跳 háma sǐle hái yào tiào sān tiào

even when a toad is dead it still jumps three times

Said of a bad person who, cornered and facing defeat, makes one last desperate struggle. Contemptuous.
孩子是大人的耳朵，也是大人的舌头 háizi shì dàren de ěrduo，yě shì dàren de shétou

children are adults' ears and also adults' tongues

Children carry what they hear outside back to their parents, and repeat what their parents say to others, so adults should watch what they say in front of them.
孩子嘴里无谎话 háizi zuǐ li wú huǎnghuà

there are no lies in a child's mouth

Children are innocent and generally don't lie, so what they say can usually be believed. Similar to 'out of the mouths of babes'.
海枯终见底，人死不知心 hǎi kū zhōng jiàn dǐ，rén sǐ bù zhī xīn

when the sea dries up you finally see the bottom; when a person dies you still don't know their heart

People's real thoughts are hard to fathom, even harder than the sea. Said with caution or sadness about trusting others.
海阔凭鱼跃，天高任鸟飞 hǎi kuòpíngyúyuè，tiāngāorènniǎo fēi

the sea is wide, let the fish leap; the sky is high, let the birds fly

In a wide world, a person can fully use their talents. Encouraging, often said to someone setting out freely.
海上风多舟难行，世上官多不太平 hǎi shàng fēng duō zhōu nán xíng，shìshàng guān duō bù tàipíng

with many winds at sea boats can hardly sail; with many officials in the world there is no peace

An old saying: too many officials burden the people and unsettle society, as too much wind makes sailing hard. Critical of bureaucracy.
害人之心不可有，防人之心不可无 hài rén zhī xīn bùkě yǒu，fáng rén zhī xīn bùkě wú

the heart to harm others must not exist; the heart to guard against others must not be absent

Never plan to hurt others, but stay on guard against those who might hurt you. Said as practical advice.
害人终害己 hài rén zhōng hài jǐ

harming others ends up harming oneself

Someone who plots against others will in the end suffer for it. Close to 'what goes around comes around'.
寒门生贵子，白屋出公卿 hán mén shēng guìzǐ，báiwū chū gōngqīng

a poor family bears a noble son; a thatched house produces ministers

Poor families often produce eminent people. Encouraging about humble origins.
行行出状元 hángháng chū zhuàngyuan

every trade produces a top scholar

Every line of work can produce outstanding people, so no job is beneath you. Encouraging.
行行有利，行行有弊 hángháng yǒu lì，hángháng yǒu bì

every trade has its gains, every trade has its drawbacks

Every occupation has pros and cons, so look at things from all sides.
行家伸伸手，便知有没有 hángjia shēnshēn shǒu，biàn zhī yǒu méiyǒu

when an expert reaches out a hand, they know whether it's there or not

An expert needs only a little contact to see what someone is really capable of. Similar to 'an expert can tell at a touch'.
好处安身，苦处用钱 hǎochù ānshēn，kǔchù yòng qián

settle where it is good; spend money where it is hard

Settle down where conditions are good, and don't be stingy with money when in difficulty.
好舵手会使八面风 hǎo duòshǒu huì shǐ bā miàn fēng

a good helmsman can use winds from all eight directions

A capable person knows how to use any circumstance to advantage and adapt. Approving.
好饭不怕晚，趣话不嫌慢 hǎo fàn bù pà wǎn，qùhuà bù xián màn

good food doesn't mind being late; an interesting tale doesn't mind being slow

Good things are worth waiting for; a tasty meal or a good story is better for taking its time.
好狗不挡道 hǎo gǒu bù dǎng dào

a good dog doesn't block the road

Said as a rebuke to someone standing in the way. Rude; a decent person doesn't get in others' way.

May offend: vulgar language
好狗不咬鸡，好汉不打妻 hǎo gǒu bù yǎo jī，hǎohàn bù dǎ qī

a good dog doesn't bite chickens; a real man doesn't hit his wife

A decent man never beats his wife. Condemns domestic violence.
好官易做，好人难做 hǎo guān yì zuò，hǎorén nán zuò

a good official is easy to be; a good person is hard to be

Being good in an office for a term is easier than staying a good person for life.
好汉不吃眼前亏 hǎohàn bù chī yǎnqián kuī

a good man doesn't take a loss in front of his eyes

A smart person backs down when facing a bad situation, to avoid being hurt and plan a response later. Close to 'discretion is the better part of valour'.
好汉不打抄手人 hǎohàn bù dǎ chāoshǒu rén

a good man doesn't strike someone with folded arms

A true hero doesn't attack someone who is unhostile or unable to fight back.
好汉不记仇 hǎohàn bù jìchóu

a good man doesn't hold grudges

A magnanimous person doesn't bear old grudges. Often said to urge forgiveness.
好汉不夸当年勇 hǎohàn bù kuā dāngnián yǒng

a good man doesn't boast of his bravery in years gone by

Capable people look forward and don't brag about past achievements.
好汉不贪色，英雄不贪财 hǎo hàn bù tānsè，yīngxióng bù tāncái

a good man isn't greedy for beauty; a hero isn't greedy for wealth

A real hero resists the temptation of women and money.

May offend: sexist or sexual
好汉就怕病来磨 hǎohàn jiù pà bìng lái mó

even a strong man fears being worn down by illness

Even the strongest person is worn down by prolonged illness.
好汉难打三面鼓 hǎohàn nán dǎ sān miàn gǔ

even a good man can hardly beat three drums at once

However able, no one can do several things at the same time.
好汉怕赖汉，赖汉还怕歪死缠 hǎohàn pà làihàn，làihàn hái pà wāisǐchán

a good man fears a scoundrel, and a scoundrel fears someone who pesters to the death

People who are unreasonable and clingy are the hardest to deal with.
好汉怕赖汉，赖汉怕急汉 hǎohàn pà làihàn，làihàn pà jíhàn

a good man fears a scoundrel, a scoundrel fears a desperate man

A person pushed to desperation will dare to do anything, so don't corner people.
好汉千里客，万里去传名 hǎo hàn qiān lǐ kè，wàn lǐ qù chuánmíng

a hero travels a thousand miles and spreads his name ten thousand

A person of ambition goes far afield to make a career and win fame.
好汉识好汉，英雄识英雄 hǎo hàn shí hǎohàn，yīngxióng shí yīngxióng

a good man knows a good man; a hero knows a hero

Capable people recognise and respect one another. Approving.
好汉天下有好汉，英雄背后有英雄 hǎohàn tiānxià yǒu hǎohàn，yīngxióng bèihòu yǒu yīngxióng

in the world there are good men beyond good men; behind a hero there is another hero

There is always someone stronger, so be modest and don't look down on others. Close to 'there's always a bigger fish'.
好汉争气，赖汉争食 hǎohàn zhēngqì，làihàn zhēngshí

a good man fights for honour; a rogue fights for food

Great people strive for big goals while petty people quarrel over trifles.
好汉做事好汉当 hǎohàn zuòshì hǎohàn dāng

a good man takes responsibility for what he does

A real man owns up to his actions and takes the blame. Often said when someone admits what they did.
好合不如好散 hǎo hé bùrú hǎo sàn

a good coming together is not as good as a good parting

If people can't get along or keep working together, it's better to part amicably. Often said of breakups and ended partnerships.
好花不常开，好景不常在 hǎo huā bù cháng kāi，hǎojǐng bù cháng zài

good flowers don't bloom for ever; good scenery doesn't last

Good times are short and soon pass, so treasure them. Wistful.
好话不在多说，有理不在声高 hǎohuà bù zài duō shuō, yǒulǐ bù zài shēng gāo

good words aren't in saying a lot; being right isn't in a loud voice

Kind or sensible words need not be repeated, and a person who is right need not shout. Said to advise calm, concise persuasion.
好话传仨人，有头少了身；坏话传仨人，有叶又有根 hǎohuà chuán sā rén, yǒu tóu shǎole shēn; huàihuà chuán sā rén, yǒu yè yòu yǒu gēn

good words passed through three people have a head but lose the body; bad words passed through three people have leaves as well as roots

Praise shrinks as it is passed along, while gossip and slander grow with embellishment. Said as a warning about how rumours spread.
好话当不了饭吃 hǎohuà dàng bùliǎo fàn chī

nice words can't be eaten as food

Pleasant talk solves no real problem; action is needed. Similar to "Fine words butter no parsnips."

Every kind of Chinese saying