Chinese Proverbs
Chinese Proverbs
disturbed rather understanding
Be not disturbed at being misunderstood; be disturbed rather at not being understanding
free seats
Those who have free seats at a play hiss first
afraid growing standing
Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still
easy follow large opened small vessel
When a large vessel has opened a way it is easy for a small one to follow
best quit
Of all the stratagems, to know when to quit is the best
crosses knows light man night river value
Only the man who crosses the river at night knows the value of the light of day
change direction likely
If we don't change our direction we're likely to end up where we're headed.
knowing
It is not the knowing that is difficult, but the doing
cold pine season
It is only when the cold season comes that we know the pine and cypress to be evergreens
dig rainy roof thirst
Thatch your roof before rainy weather; dig your well before you become parched with thirst
home sign trouble
Over no home can the sign be hung:There is no trouble here.
behind believe spoken
If what we see is doubtful, how can we believe what is spoken behind the back
forget root tree
To forget one's ancestor's is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root
days goods hold profit sell sure thousand
Hold back some goods for a thousand days and you will be sure to sell at a profit