Chinese proverbs (谚语)

火要空心,人要实心 huǒ yào kōngxīn, rén yào shíxīn

a fire needs a hollow heart, a person needs a solid heart

A fire burns best with air space in the middle; a person should be sincere and reliable to get things done. Approving advice about honesty.
货比货得扔,人比人得死 huò bǐ huò děi rēng, rén bǐ rén děi sǐ

compare goods with goods and one must be thrown away; compare people with people and one must die

People's circumstances differ, so don't compare yourself with others or you'll only make yourself miserable.
货好还得会吆喝 huò hǎo hái děi huì yāohe

good goods still need a good hawking cry

Even good products need promotion to sell quickly. Said approvingly of advertising. Close to 'it pays to advertise'.
货卖给识家 huò mài gěi shíjiā

sell goods to those who know

Goods fetch a good price when sold to a buyer who appreciates their value.
货卖一张皮 huò mài yī zhāng pí

goods sell by their skin

Appearance and packaging matter for getting a good price. Close to 'presentation is everything'.
货无大小缺者贵 huò wú dà xiǎo quēzhě guì

goods, big or small, are dear when scarce

Whatever the item, scarcity raises the price.
货有高低三等价,客无远近一般看 huò yǒu gāodī sān děng jià, kè wú yuǎnjìn yībān kàn

goods have three price grades, high and low; customers, near or far, are looked on alike

Prices may vary with quality, but every customer should be treated equally, whatever their origin. Approving.
祸福无门皆自取 huò fú wú mén jiē zì qǔ

misfortune and fortune have no door; people bring them on themselves

Good and bad fortune come from one's own actions. Close to 'you reap what you sow'.
饥不饥拿干粮，冷不冷带衣裳 jī bù jī ná gānliáng, lěng bù lěng dài yīshang

hungry or not, take dry food; cold or not, bring clothes

When travelling, bring food and clothes in case you need them. Caring advice; like 'better safe than sorry'.
饥时过饱，必殒命 jī shí guò bǎo, bì yǔnmìng

eat too much when starving and you will surely die

A starving person who eats too much at once can be seriously harmed. A warning against overdoing things after deprivation.
饥时一粒，胜似饱时一斗 jī shí yī lì, shèngsì bǎo shí yī dǒu

a single grain when hungry beats a peck when full

A little help at a time of real need is worth more than plenty given when one is well off.
饥梳头，饱洗澡 jī shūtóu, bǎo xǐzǎo

comb your hair when hungry, bathe when full

Old health lore: comb hair on an empty stomach and bathe after eating. A traditional belief, not a modern recommendation.
饥者易为食，渴者易为饮 jīzhě yì wéi shì, kězhě yì wéi yǐn

the hungry are easily fed, the thirsty easily given drink

People in need are easily satisfied; a little help in hard times goes a long way.
机不可失，时不再来 jībù kě shī, shíbùzàilái

the chance must not be lost, the time will not come again

Seize an opportunity now, because it may not return. Close to 'opportunity knocks but once'.
机不密，祸先招 jī bù mì, huò xiān zhāo

if the plan isn't secret, disaster is invited first

If a plan leaks out, it will bring trouble. A warning to keep secrets.
鸡蛋碰不过石头 jīdàn pèng bùguò shítou

an egg can't beat a stone

The weak can hardly defeat the strong.
鸡肚不知鸭肚事 jīdù bù zhī yādù shì

the chicken's belly doesn't know the duck's belly's business

One person can't know what another is thinking.
鸡多不下蛋，人多吃闲饭 jī duō bù xiàdàn, rén duō chī xiánfàn

too many hens, no eggs; too many people, idle eaters

Too many people for the work means they achieve little. Close to 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.
鸡窝里藏不住凤凰 jīwō li cáng bù zhù fènghuáng

a phoenix can't be hidden in a chicken coop

A truly talented person will stand out even in poor conditions.
鸡窝里也能飞出金凤凰 jīwō li yě néng fēichū jīn fènghuáng

even a chicken coop can send out a golden phoenix

Outstanding people can come from humble backgrounds. Encouraging.
积财千万，不如薄技在身 jī cái qiān wàn, bùrú bójì zài shēn

to pile up ten million in wealth is not as good as having a small skill on you

No amount of savings beats having a skill, since wealth can be used up but a skill gives steady income. Cf. "Teach a man to fish."
积谷防饥，养儿防老 jīgǔfángjī, yǎng'érfánglǎo

store grain against hunger, raise sons against old age

Plan ahead and prepare for the future, as one stores grain for famine and raises children to be cared for in old age. Cf. "Save for a rainy day."
积善之家，必有余庆；积恶之家，必有余殃 jīshàn zhī jiā, bì yǒu yú qìng; jī è zhī jiā, bì yǒu yú yāng

a family that piles up good deeds will surely have blessings left over; a family that piles up evil will surely have misfortune left over

Old belief that a family's good deeds bring blessings to descendants, and evil deeds bring disaster on them. Moralising, traditional.
积丝成寸，积寸成尺，寸尺不已，遂成丈匹 jī sī chéng cùn, jī cùn chéng chǐ, cùn chǐ bù yǐ, suì chéng zhàng pǐ

silk threads add up to an inch, inches add up to a foot, keep adding inches and feet without stopping and you get lengths and whole bolts

Small amounts accumulate into large ones if you persevere; encouraging. Cf. "Many a little makes a mickle."
吉人自有天相 jírénzìyǒutiān xiàng

a good person has Heaven's help of his own

Good people will be helped by fate in times of danger; said to comfort someone in trouble. Cf. "Heaven helps those who are good."
急出嫁，嫁不下好汉子 jí chūjià, jià bù xià hǎo hànzi

in a hurry to marry out, she won't marry a good man

Literally, a woman who rushes into marriage will not find a good husband; figuratively, haste spoils things. Old-fashioned and somewhat condescending to women.

May offend: sexist or sexual
急火吃不成熟米饭 jíhuǒ chī bù chéng shú mǐfàn

over a fierce fire you can't eat cooked rice

Rushing for quick results usually spoils the job. Cf. "Haste makes waste."
急生智，气生恚 jí shēng zhì, qì shēng huì

urgency gives birth to wit, anger gives birth to resentment

People in a crisis often come up with clever ideas, whereas anger breeds hatred.
急水滩头慢行船 jí shuǐ tāntóu màn xíngchuán

at a rapid shoal, sail the boat slowly

When facing a pressing, tricky problem, act steadily and carefully rather than rashly.
急水也有回头浪 jí shuǐ yě yǒu huítóu làng

even fast water has waves that turn back

Even when things go smoothly, setbacks and reversals are bound to occur.
急中有失，怒中无智 jízhōng yǒu shī, nùzhōng wú zhì

in haste there are mistakes, in anger there is no wisdom

Acting hastily leads to errors, and a person in a rage loses reason. A warning to stay calm.
疾风知劲草，路遥知马力 jífēng zhī jìngcǎo, lùyáo zhī mǎlì

in a fierce wind you know the sturdy grass; over a long road you know a horse's strength

Hard times and long tests reveal a person's true character and endurance. Approving.
既到大江边，不怕水湿脚 jì dào dà jiāng biān, bùpà shuǐ shī jiǎo

once you've reached the big river, don't fear getting your feet wet

Once you've decided to do something, accept the price. Cf. "In for a penny, in for a pound."
寄人篱下，有苦难言 jìrénlíxià, yǒukǔnányán

living under another's fence, with bitterness one can hardly voice

Depending on others for a living, one must put up with slights without being able to complain.
家不和，被人欺 jiā bù hé, bèi rén qī

if the family is not in harmony, outsiders bully it

A family divided within becomes a target for outsiders; applies to any group.
家常便饭吃得长，粗布衣裳穿得久 jiācháng biànfàn chī de cháng, cūbù yīshang chuān de jiǔ

plain home meals can be eaten for long, coarse cloth clothes can be worn for long

Living frugally is what keeps a household comfortable in the long run.
家丑不可外扬 jiāchǒu bùkě wàiyáng

family shame must not be spread outside

Keep internal troubles private to avoid embarrassment. Cf. "Don't wash your dirty linen in public."
家丑家丑，家家都有 jiāchǒu jiāchǒu, jiājiā dōu yǒu

family shame, family shame, every family has it

Every family has its quarrels and troubles; said to console or to excuse.
家和万事兴 jiā hé wànshì xīng

when the family is in harmony, everything prospers

A peaceful, united family will thrive. Common as a blessing or motto.
家火不起，野火不来 jiā huǒ bù qǐ, yěhuǒ bù lái

if no fire starts at home, wild fire won't come

If there are no problems inside, outside attacks can't hurt you.
家家都有一本难念的经 jiājiā dōu yǒu yī běn nán niàn de jīng

every family has a scripture that is hard to recite

Everyone has their own troubles at home. Said in sympathy or to explain that no household is perfect.
家宽出少年 jiā kuān chū shàonián

a roomy household produces youthful people

When the family is comfortably off and healthy in mind and body, everyone looks younger.
家里事，家里了 jiā li shì, jiā li liǎo

family matters, settled within the family

Settle internal disputes internally, without involving outsiders.
家里无贼，贼不来 jiā li wú zéi, zéi bù lái

if there is no thief at home, thieves won't come

Outside wrongdoers won't dare to act without an accomplice inside.
家贫不是贫，路贫贫杀人 jiā pín bù shì pín, lù pín pínshā rén

poverty at home is not poverty; poverty on the road is deadly poverty

Being short of money at home is bearable, but away from home it is dire.
家庭和不和，看看儿媳和公婆 jiātíng hé bù hé, kànkan érxí hé gōngpó

whether the household is harmonious, look at the daughter-in-law and her parents-in-law

The relationship between daughter-in-law and in-laws decides whether the whole family gets on. Reflects traditional family life.
家无主，屋倒竖 jiā wú zhǔ, wū dào shù

with no mistress in the house, the house stands upside down

Without a woman to manage the household, the home falls into chaos. Reflects a traditional view of gender roles.
家有常业，虽饥不饿；国有常法，虽危不亡 jiā yǒu cháng yè, suī jī bù è; guó yǒu cháng fǎ, suī wēi bù wáng

a family with a steady trade, though famine comes, won't starve; a country with settled laws, though in danger, won't perish

Stable foundations, whether a family livelihood or a legal order, carry one through crises.
家有患难，邻里相助 jiā yǒu huànnàn, línlǐ xiāngzhù

when a family has trouble, neighbours help

Neighbours should help one another in difficulty.
家有黄金，外有戥秤 jiā yǒu huángjīn, wài yǒu děngchèng

if you have gold at home, outsiders have scales to weigh it

People around you roughly know how well off your family is; you can't hide your wealth.
家有千口，主事一人 jiā yǒu qiān kǒu, zhǔshì yī rén

a family of a thousand mouths has one person in charge

However large the group, one person must be in charge.
家有千万，小处不可不算 jiā yǒu qiān wàn, xiǎochù bùkě bù suàn

though the family has tens of millions, you must still count the small items

Even the rich should budget carefully. Cf. "Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves."
家有三件事，先拣紧的办 jiā yǒu sān jiàn shì, xiān jiǎn jǐn de bàn

if the house has three jobs, do the pressing one first

With many tasks, do the most urgent first. Cf. "First things first."
家有贤妻，男儿不遭横祸 jiā yǒu xiánqī, nán'ér bù zāo hènghuò

with a virtuous wife at home, a man meets no sudden disaster

A good wife helps her husband avoid misfortune. Reflects a traditional view of wives as supporters of their husbands.
家有一老，黄金活宝 jiā yǒu yī lǎo, huángjīn huóbǎo

an old person in the home is a living treasure of gold

Elders' experience and knowledge are precious. Respectful.
家有一心，堆积黄金；家有二心，无钱买针 jiā yǒu yīxīn, duījī huángjīn; jiā yǒu èrxīn, wú qián mǎi zhēn

a family of one heart piles up gold; a family of two hearts can't afford a needle

A united family prospers; a divided one ends up poor. Cf. "United we stand, divided we fall."
家贼难防，外鬼难抓 jiāzéi nán fáng, wàiguǐ nán zhuā

a thief in the house is hard to guard against, an outside ghost is hard to catch

Beware hidden wrongdoers within your own group, since they help outsiders to do harm.
家住山边识鸟音 jiā zhù shān biān shí niǎo yīn

living beside the mountain, you know the birds' calls

If you live somewhere long enough, you become familiar with how things work there. Neutral, descriptive; close to 'you learn the ropes by being there'.
假不能胜真，邪不能胜正 jiǎ bù néng shèng zhēn, xié bù néng shèng zhèng

the false cannot beat the true, the wicked cannot beat the upright

In the end falsehood cannot defeat truth, nor evil defeat righteousness. Encouraging and moralising; similar to 'truth will out' or 'right will prevail'.
价高招远客 jià gāo zhāo yuǎnkè

a high price draws distant customers

Offer generous terms and talented people will come from far away to take the job. Approving; like 'pay well and you attract good people'.
奸出人命赌生盗 jiān chū rénmìng dǔ shēng dào

adultery brings out deaths, gambling breeds theft

A warning that illicit affairs often end in killing and gambling often leads to theft. Moralising, old-fashioned.
俭是聚宝盆，勤是摇钱树 jiǎn shì jùbǎopén, qín shì yáoqiánshù

thrift is a treasure bowl, diligence is a money tree

Being frugal and hardworking leads to wealth. Approving advice for children; like 'a penny saved is a penny earned'.
剪草除根，萌芽不发 jiǎncǎochúgēn, méngyá bù fā

cut grass and remove the roots, and no sprouts grow

Wipe out a problem completely so it can't return. Like 'nip it in the bud' or 'root out the problem'.
见财起意心不正，损人利己天不容 jiàncáiqǐyì xīnbù zhèng, sǔnrénlìjǐ tiān bù róng

conceiving a plan on seeing wealth shows a crooked heart; harming others for oneself is not tolerated by heaven

Whoever covets others' property is corrupt, and heaven won't tolerate harming others for gain. Moralising and old-fashioned.
见怪不怪，其怪自败 jiànguàibù guài, qíguàizì bài

see a strange thing and don't find it strange, and the strangeness defeats itself

If you stay calm about oddities, they lose their power. Calming advice; similar to 'ignore it and it will go away'.
见过鬼怕黑 jiànguo guǐ pà hēi

having seen a ghost, one fears the dark

Once hurt by something, a person fears anything similar. Like 'once bitten, twice shy'.
见好就收 jiàn hǎo jiù shōu

when it's good, take it and stop

Stop when you've gained a fair amount, before things turn bad. Advisory; like 'quit while you're ahead'.
见苗三分收 jiàn miáo sān fēn shōu

see the seedlings, three tenths of a harvest

A farming saying: once seedlings are established, some harvest is assured.
见能人，不可失之交臂 jiàn néngrén, bùkě shīzhījiāobì

on meeting a capable person, don't let him slip past arm to arm

Don't miss the chance to learn in person from a talented person. Encouraging.
见贫休笑富休夸，谁是常贫久富家 jiàn pín xiū xiào fù xiū kuā, shéi shì cháng pín jiǔ fù jiā

don't laugh at the poor or praise the rich: who is always poor or long rich?

Fortunes change, so don't look down on poverty or flatter wealth. Moralising.
见人不施礼，多走二十里 jiàn rén bù shīlǐ, duō zǒu èrshí lǐ

not greeting people politely means walking twenty more li

If you are impolite when asking directions, you'll get lost and walk further; courtesy pays. Advisory.
见人不是，百恶之根；见己不是，百善之门 jiàn rén bùshi, bǎi è zhī gēn; jiàn jǐ bùshi, bǎi shàn zhī mén

seeing others' faults is the root of a hundred evils; seeing your own is the door to a hundred virtues

Fixating on others' faults leads to wrongdoing, while noticing your own leads to goodness; be strict with yourself, lenient with others. Moralising.
见蛇不打三分罪 jiàn shé bù dǎ sān fēn zuì

seeing a snake and not striking it is three tenths a crime

Ignoring bad people or acts you see makes you partly guilty. Critical.
见死不救非君子，见义不为枉为人 jiànsǐbùjiù fēi jūnzǐ, jiànyìbùwéi wǎng wéirén

watching death without helping is not a gentleman; seeing justice and not acting, one is a man in vain

Anyone who won't rescue the dying or act for right isn't truly decent. Moralising.
见义不为无勇 jiànyìbùwéi wú yǒng

seeing what is right and not doing it is lack of courage

Failing to do the right thing when you see it is cowardice (from the Analects). Moralising.
剑伤皮肉，话伤灵魂 jiàn shāng píròu, huàshāng línghún

a sword hurts skin and flesh, words hurt the soul

Cruel words wound deeper than weapons, so speak carefully. Similar to 'words cut deeper than knives'.
箭头虽利，不射不发；人虽聪明，不学不知 jiàntóu suī lì, bù shè bù fā; rén suī cōngmíng, bù xué bù zhī

an arrowhead, however sharp, doesn't fly unless shot; a person, however clever, doesn't know without learning

However bright you are, you must study to gain knowledge. Encouraging, used to urge learning.
江海不拒细流，泰山不拒土石 jiāng hǎi bù jù xìliú，tàishān bù jù tǔshí

rivers and seas don't refuse small streams, Mount Tai doesn't refuse earth and stone

Great people are tolerant and accept everyone, which lets them unite many to do great things. Approving.
江山风月，本无常主 jiāngshān fēngyuè，běn wú cháng zhǔ

rivers, hills, wind and moon have never had a fixed owner

Natural scenery belongs to no one; everyone may enjoy it.
江山易打，民心难得 jiāngshān yì dǎ，mínxīn nándé

a country is easy to conquer, the people's hearts hard to win

Taking power is easy but lasting popular support is hard; only a government that wins hearts endures.
江山易改，禀性难移 jiāngshānyìgǎi，bǐngxìngnányí

rivers and mountains are easily changed, one's nature is hard to alter

A person's character can hardly be changed. Like 'a leopard can't change its spots'.
将军额头能跑马 jiāngjūn étóu néng pǎomǎ

a general's forehead can run a horse

A leader has a broad mind and tolerates others' faults. Approving; like 'big-hearted'.
将心比心，强如佛心 jiāng xīn bǐ xīn，qiáng rú fóxīn

to weigh heart against heart is better than a Buddha's heart

Putting yourself in others' shoes is the greatest kindness. Moralising.
姜是老的辣，醋是陈的酸 jiāng shì lǎo de là，cù shì chén de suān

ginger is hotter when old, vinegar is sourer when aged

Older people have more experience and handle things more skilfully. Usually approving, sometimes said with grudging respect. Close to 'there's no substitute for experience'.
将相本无种，男儿当自强 jiàngxiàng běn wú zhǒng，nán'ér dāng zìqiáng

generals and ministers are not born of a special seed; a man should strive to be strong

High office is not a matter of birth; an ambitious person should work hard to rise. Encouraging, though it speaks only of men.
将相出寒门 jiàngxiàng chū hánmén

generals and ministers come from poor families

Great talents often come from humble backgrounds, because hardship builds ability. Encouraging.
将在谋而不在勇，兵贵精而不贵多 jiàng zài móu ér bù zài yǒng，bīng guì jīng ér bù guì duō

a commander counts on strategy, not bravery; troops should be elite, not numerous

Success depends on wise planning and quality, not on brute courage or sheer numbers. Used in war and in general work.
犟驴怕恶鞭 jiàng lǘ pà è biān

a stubborn donkey fears a fierce whip

Obstinate people give way only when forceful measures are used. Somewhat critical.
交遍天下友，知心有几人 jiāobiàn tiānxià yǒu，zhīxīn yǒu jǐ rén

make friends all over the world, but how many know your heart

Ordinary friends are easy to find; a true confidant is rare.
交绝不出恶声 jiāo jué bù chū èshēng

when breaking off a friendship, utter no harsh word

Even when ending a relationship, one should not curse the other person; abusive words show poor character.
交人交心，浇花浇根 jiāo rén jiāoxīn，jiāo huā jiāo gēn

to befriend, befriend the heart; to water flowers, water the roots

Real friendship must be built from sincerity, just as watering must reach the roots.
交友交义不交财，择友择智不择貌 jiāoyǒu jiāo yì bù jiāo cái，zéyǒu zé zhì bù zé mào

befriend for loyalty not wealth; choose friends for wisdom not looks

Pick friends for character and ability, not for money or appearance.
浇树要浇根，教人要教心 jiāo shù yào jiāo gēn，jiāo rén yào jiāoxīn

to water a tree, water the roots; to teach people, teach the heart

Education should focus on shaping thought and character, not surface behaviour.
娇养不如历艰 jiāoyǎng bùrú lì jiān

pampering is not as good as going through hardship

Children are better off facing difficulties than being spoiled.
骄傲，蹲在门槛；谦虚，走遍天下 jiāo'ào，dūn zài ménkǎn；qiānxū，zǒubiàn tiānxià

pride squats at the doorstep; modesty travels the whole world

Arrogant people get nowhere and are disliked; modest people are welcome everywhere.
骄兵必败，欺敌必亡 jiāobīngbìbài，qīdíbìwáng

an arrogant army must lose; underestimating the enemy means ruin

Overconfidence and contempt for opponents lead to defeat. Compare 'pride comes before a fall'.
骄者愚，愚者骄 jiāozhě yú，yúzhě jiāo

the proud are foolish, the foolish are proud

Arrogance goes with foolishness, and only fools are arrogant. Critical.
教的言语不会说，有钱难买自主张 jiāo de yányǔ bù huì shuō，yǒu qián nán mǎi zìzhǔzhāng

words taught by others can't be spoken; money can't buy making up your own mind

Advice from others only goes so far; when the moment comes you must decide for yourself.
教奢易，教俭难 jiāo shē yì，jiāo jiǎn nán

teaching extravagance is easy, teaching thrift is hard

It is easy to pick up luxurious habits but hard to learn frugality.
狡兔还有三个窟 jiǎotù hái yǒu sān gè kū

even a cunning hare has three burrows

A farsighted person always keeps several escape routes. Approving or wry; compare 'don't put all your eggs in one basket'.

Every kind of Chinese saying