Chinese Proverbs (2024)

FAQs

What is a famous Chinese proverb? ›

"Only when everyone contributes wood will the fire burn brightly." This saying is a call for unity and collective action, because when everybody gathers fuel, the flames are higher; the more people working toward the same goal, the more strength you can call upon.

If you've done nothing wrong, you shouldn't worry about devils knocking at your door in midnight. Wú shì bù pà guǐ jiào mén.) Same as "If you have not done anything evil, you should not worry too much": the good/regular always overwhelms the bad/irregular though in real life it is not necessarily so.

1. Different locks must be opened with different keys. Every problem we face in life will require a different set of skills to overcome. In a business context, or when managing relationships, it's important to recognise that a “one key fits all” approach won't work!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Pinyin: Nǐ jìng wǒ yī chǐ, wǒ jìng nǐ yī zhàng. Literal Translation: “You give me one foot of respect and I will return you ten times.” Meaning: We should return even more respect and kindness than what we've received.

The oldest recorded proverb in the world is about a dog being hasty and therefore giving birth to blind puppies. An ancient king of Assyria, Šamši-Adad, wrote on a clay tablet in Sumerian to Yasmah-Addu, his son and viceroy in Mari, advising him not to be hasty in his actions.

There's a famous Chinese proverb: If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married.

Based on the ancient Chinese proverb “One monk will shoulder two buckets of water, two monks will share the load, but add a third and no one will want to fetch water.” This story encourages children to understand the old saying “Unity is Strength”.

What is the Chinese proverb for stress? ›

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still. Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.

Chinese Proverb: "He who thinks too much about every step he takes will always stay on one leg."

jiāng hái shì lǎo de là. Aged ginger is spicier. This proverb is a way of saying that people gain wisdom with age and it's a good idea to listen to what older/more experienced people have to say.

“Warfare is the way of deception.” “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.” “In the art of war, do not attack an enemy on high ground, and do not meet him when he has the advantage of a hill.” “The rule of attacking a city is only as a last resort.”

An old Confucius saying applies. Question, “When is the best time to plant a tree?” Answer, “Ten years ago.” Question, “And when is the next best time?” Answer, “Today.” In conclusion, the creator of this adage remains anonymous. It was circulating in Cleveland, Ohio by 1967.

There Is an Old Chinese Proverb That Says 'A Man Without a Smiling Face Must Never Open a Shop'

The most important aspect in giving a gift is to show intention. A Chinese proverb says “a goose feather sent from thousands of miles away is a present little in size but rich in meaning.” Thoughtfulness is key. When presenting a gift it should be beautifully wrapped and presented with both hands.