Chinese proverb

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Love my house, love the crow on it. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ai4 wu1 ji2 wu1.) The crow may be ugly, but love it if your really love my house. A close English counterpart of this proverb is \"Love me, love my dog.\" B

Eight Immortals cross the sea, each employing his or her theurgy. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ba1xian1 guo4 hai3, ge4 xian3 shen2tong1.) The Eight Immortals (Baxian) are legendary, each has a special miraculous power. The proverb describes a situation where people bring their diverse talents into play in accomplishing a task. Seeing is believing. Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. (Chinese original: 百闻不如一见 Chinese Pinyin: Bai3 wen2 bu4 ru2 yi2 jian4.) Display one's proficiency of axe in front of the master carpenter. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ban1 men2 nong4 fu3.) Display one's minimal skill before an expert. Lift a stone only to drop on your own feet. Isn't it similar to \"Shoot your (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: gun at your own foot\"? Ban1qi3 shi2tou2 za2 zi4ji3 de jiao3.) A bottle half filled (with vinegar) tends to rock. The moral of the proverb is something like \"Still water (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: runs deep.\" When someone Ban3 ping2 cu4 - luan4 huang4dang1.) has a lot of learning, he or she still wants to learn more; only those who know a little brag a lot. Putting out a fire while holding firewood. It only made the fire worse. (Chinese original: 抱薪救火Chinese Pinyin: Bao4 xin1 Improper solution of a problem does not solve but jiu4 huo3.) instead aggravate the problem. Mistaking the reflection of a bow in a cup for a snake. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Bei1 gong1 she2 ying3.) A guest got sick after he was scared by what he had seen in a wine vessel at his friend's home. The snake he had seen was actually the shadow of a bow hanging on the wall. This proverb asks us not to scare ourselves with something we don't know. How can you put out a fire set on a cart-load of It is useless to apply minor firewood with only a cup of water? remedies to a major problem. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Bei1 shui3 che1 xin1.) A clumsy bird that flies first will get to the forest earlier. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ben4 niao3 xian1 fei1 zao3 ru4 lin2.) You can't tell the cost of food and fuel without being the head of a household; you can't appreciate the love of your parents without having children of your own. (Chinese original: 不当家不知柴米贵，不养儿不知父母恩 Chinese Pinyin: Bu4 dang1jia1 bu4 zhi1 chai2 mi3 gui4, bu4 yang3 er2 bu4 zhi1 fu4mu3 en1.) Shed no tears until seeing the coffin. (Chinese original: 不见棺材不落泪 Chinese Pinyin: Bu2 jian4 guan1cai2 bu2 luo4 lei4.) (Similar proverb: Not giving up until one reaches the Yellow River. 不到黄河不死心: Bu2 dao4 Huang2he2 bu4 si3xin1.) Usually as an expression of modesty and humbleness, it means that one who is slow in learning should make extra efforts. Will not give up an inevitably losing battle until the last minute. It is a burlesque of the stubbornness and stupidity of people who would not stop until it is too late We are not so much concerned if you are slow As in the case of the race as when you come to a halt. between the hare and the (Chinese original: 不怕慢，就怕站 Chinese Pinyin: Bu2 tortoise. pa4 man4, jiu4 pa4 zhan4.) You can't catch a cub without going into a tiger's den. (Chinese original: 不入虎穴焉得虎子 Chinese Pinyin: Bu2 ru4 hu3xue2, yan1 de2 hu3 zi3.) C

Flies never infest an egg without cracks. Cracked eggs that yield odors are (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: as vulnerable to flies as problem children to gangs or bad company. Cang1ying2 bu4 ding1 wu2 feng4 dan4.) Risky as it is, if you are afraid of taking chances, there is no way you can succeed. Hidden dragons, crouching tigers. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Cang2 long2 wo4 hu3.) When you say some place has \"hidden dragons and crouching tigers\" you mean that that place has able people who are kept willingly or unwillingly in a low profile. The proverb is usually used to advise people not to take a place like that lightly. A minimal error at the start leads to a wide As in the launch of a rocket, a divergence in the distance. small error can lead to a serious result. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Cha4 zhi1 hao2 li2, miu4 yi3 qian1 li3.) One who walks along a river frequently It happens. cannot avoid getting his shoes wet. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chang2 zai4 he2bian1 zou3, na3 neng2 bu4 shi1 xie2.) Drinking the water of a well, one should One should always be grateful to never forget who dig it. those who helped him succeed. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chi1 shui3 bu1 wang4 jue1 jing3 ren2.) A fall into a ditch, a gain in your wit. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chi1 yi2 qian4 zhang3 yi2 zhi4.) A feet can be shorter while an inch can be longer. (Chinese original: 尺短寸长 Chinese Pinyin: Chi3 duan3 cun4 chang2.) People learn from their mistakes. Compared with something longer, a feet may be shorter; compared with something shorter, an inch seems longer. Things are relative: everything has its merits and demerits. Notoriety travels farther away. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chou4ming2 yuan3 yang2.) Riddance of evil must be thorough. (Chinese original: 除恶务尽Chinese Pinyin: Chu2 e4 wu4 jin4.) If the lips are gone, the teeth will grow cold. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Chun2 wang2 chi3 han2.) Two parties share a common interest. If one is hurt, the other will, too. There is no silver here: three hundred taels. (Chinese original: 此地无银三百两 Chinese Pinyin: Ci3 di4 wu2 yin2 san1bai3 liang3.) This proverb is to tease those who say or do things blatantly self contradictory and consequently become an object of ridicule. see the story in my book The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese. Thick branches and big leaves. (Chinese original: 粗枝大叶Chinese Pinyin: Cu1 zhi1 da4 ye4.) To say is \"Thick branches and big leaves\" is to accuse him of being careless, failing to attend to details. D

Stir the grass and alert the snake. (Chinese original: 打草惊蛇Chinese Pinyin: Da3 cao3 jing1 che2.) Respect out of fear is never genuine; reverence out of respect is never false. (Chinese original: 打怕的人是假的，敬怕的人是真的 Chinese Pinyin: Da3 pa4 de ren2 shi4 jia3 de; jing4 pa4 de ren2 shi4 zhen1 de.) Don't hit one on the face. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Da3 ren2 bu4 da3 lian3.) An imprudent act can alert the enemy before the right moment comes. Disclose one's shortcomings in public would only antagonize him. Be diplomatic or tactic and he may accept your criticism. Fish a needle in the sea. Probably you have already thought (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Da4 of the English counterpart: looking for a \"needle in a haystack.\" hai3 lao2 zhen1.) Make a decision when a decision is called for. Hesitation only brings disaster. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Dang1 duan4 bu2 duan4, fan3 shou4 qi2 luan4.) A spectator sees more than a player in the The third party usually has a better heat of a game. perspective than those deeply (Chinese original: 当局者迷Chinese Pinyin: involved in a transaction. Dang1 ju2 zhe3 mi2.) Don't mention the word \"dwarf\" in front of a short person. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Dang1 zhe ai3ren2 bie2 shuo1 ai3 hua4.) Mentioning a person's shortcomings will hurt his feelings. One needs to be tactful or diplomatic when communicating with others. Guard against disgrace in times of favor; be prepared for danger in times of safety. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: De2 chong3 si1 ru3, an1 ju1 si1 wei1.) Forget the fishing gear as soon as the fish Forget the means by which the end is caught. is attained. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: De2 yu2 wang4 quan2.) (An annotation is available here.) Have a mouth as sharp as a dagger but a heart as soft as tofu. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Dao1zi zui3 dou4fu xin1.) Extremely difficulty and dangerous situation. A mountain of knives and a sea of fire. Extremely difficulty and dangerous (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Dao1 situation. shan1 huo3 hai3.) Turn iron (or stone) into gold by the touch. (Chinese original: 点铁成金 or 点石成金 Chinese Pinyin: Dian3 tie3 cheng2 jin1, or Dian3 shi2 cheng2 jin1.) Lure a tiger out of its mountain. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Diao4 hu3 li2 shan1.) Dripping water can eat through a stone. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Di1 shui3 chuan1 shi2.) A girl apes her neighbor's frowning. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Dong1shi1 xiao4 pin4.) To say one can turn iron into gold by the touch is to describe him as having superb editing skills that can turn a mediocre work into a masterpiece. Lure an enemy out of its well defended base to annihilate it. This is one of Sunzi's thirty-six strategems in his Art of War. Perseverance will lead to success. A beauty is beautiful even when she was sick and frowned all day. A homely girl in her neighborhood tried to ape her frowning thinking that she could become pretty but instead made herself look uglier. This proverb illustrates the significance of team work A single tree makes no forest; one string makes no music. (Chinese original: 独木不成林，单弦不成音 Chinese Pinyin: Du2 mu4 bu4 cheng2 lin2, dan1 xian2 bu4 cheng2 yin1.) Read critically, and you will find each word worth a thousand ounces of gold. (Chinese original: 读书需用意，一字值千斤Chinese Pinyin: Du2 shu1 xu1 yong4 yi4, yi1 zi4 zhi2 qian1 jin1.) Play a harp before a cow Similar to \"Cast pearls to a swine.\" (Chinese original: 对牛弹琴Chinese Pinyin: Dui4 niu2 tan2 qin2.) Prescribe the right medicine for a Take the right measures to tackle a symptom. problem to achieve the best result (Chinese original: 对症下药Chinese Pinyin: Dui4 zheng4 xia4 yao4.) F

Conjure up clouds with one turn of one's hand and rain with another. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Fan1 yun2 fu4 yu3.) To say that someone can conjure up clouds and rain with his turn of hand is to say that he is capricious or skillful at playing tricks. A flying moth throws itself into a fire. To say one is a flying moth (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Fei1 e2 tou2 that throws itself into a fire is to say that he is looking huo3.) for his own demise. Like neither a donkey nor a horse. If something one has (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Fei1 lü2 fei1 created is like neither animals, then it must be ma3.) something awkward and laughable. Burn a forest to farm and drain a pond to fish. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Fen2 lin2 er3 tian2, jie2 ze2 er3 yu2.) Isn't this what some of us doing today to our environment against the 3000-year old proverbial warning? In many other aspects we are also prone to such mistakes: in trying to achieve an end by all means, we wittingly or unwittingly ignore the consequences. Going through hardships together. On the same boat in a tempest. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Feng1 yu3 tong2 zhou1.) In face of evil, one would rather be a jade broken One would rather die than than a brick intact. surrender. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Feng2 jian1 ning4 ke3 yu4 sui4, qi4 zheng4 bu4 qiu2 wa3 quan2.) (As rare as ) phoenix feather and unicorn horns. According to Chinese (Chinese original: 凤毛麟角Chinese Pinyin: Feng4 mao2 legends, phoenix's feather and unicorn's horns are the lin2 jiao3.) rarest things one can find in the world. Remove firewood from under a pot. (Chinese original: 釜底抽薪Chinese Pinyin: Fu3 di3 chou1 xin1.) Water spilled can never be retrieved. (Chinese original: 覆水难收 Chinese Pinyin: Fu4 shui3 nan2 shou1.) Solve a problem thoroughly. Things have developed to a degree that there is no turning back. Wade through boiling water and scorching flame. If one can do this, he is (Chinese original: 赴汤蹈火 Chinese Pinyin: Fu4 tang1 courageous enough to do anything. dao3 huo3.) Give it to the Yangtze that rambles east to the sea. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Fu4 zhu1 dong1 liu2.) When you give something to the Yangtze that brings it to the waters, then everything you have been doing is in vain G Proverbs You can't expect both ends of a sugar cane are as sweet. (Chinese original: 甘蔗没有两头甜 Chinese Pinyin: Gan1zhe4 mei2you3 liang3tou2 tian2.) Annotation And Connotations You can't have both: In order to get something, you have to sacrifice something else. When the head rope of a net is pulled up, all When a key problem is solved, the meshes open. the rest of the issues relating to it (Chinese original: 纲举目张 Chinese Pinyin: Gang1 will also be unknotted. ju3 mu4 zhang1.) Pouring water from above the roof of a tall building. (Chinese original: 高屋建瓴Chinese Pinyin: Gao1 wu1 jian4 ling2.) Watch the fire burn on the other side of the river. (Chinese original: 隔岸观火 Chinese Pinyin: Ge2 an4 guan1 huo3.) There are always ears on the other side of the wall. (Chinese original: 隔墙有耳Chinese Pinyin: Ge2 qiang2 you3 er3.) Scratching an itch from outside the boot. If someone can pour water from the top of a roof, he is in an extremely advantageous position. Gloating over others' mishap instead of coming to their rescue. Walls have ears . To scratch one's itch with boots (Chinese original: 隔靴搔痒Chinese Pinyin: Ge2 xue1 sao1 yang3.) on is to attempt a very ineffective solution to a problem. Flowers look different in different eyes. Beauty is in the eye of the (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ge4 beholder. hua1 ru4 ge4 yan3.) A weir close to completion left undone due A regrettable failure of something to the shortage of a basket of earth. nearing accomplishment due to (Chinese original: 功亏一篑 Chinese Pinyin: Gong1 lack of perseverance. kui1 yi1 kui4.) A dog won't forsake his master because of Don't despise something or his poverty; a son never deserts his mother someone that is close to you. for her homely appearance (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Gou3 bu1 xian2 jia1 pin2, er2 bu1 xian2 niang2 chou3.) A dog will jump over a wall when cornered. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Gou3 ji2 tiao4 qiang2.) A fierce dog ruins a liquor store business. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Gou3 meng3 jiu3 suan1.) Avoid putting others in a very difficult position, or you'll get hurt yourself. A once successful liquor store suddenly sees its business faltering: customers stop coming. Finally the owner realizes that it was his fierce dog that has scared them away. A bad company may drive other friends away. Another dog-related proverb that does injustice to the animal. Despite the fact that dogs do catch mice, people still believe that is the business of cats'. Therefore, this proverb refers to someone who is too inquisitive and cares about things that are none of his business. True, that is an impossibility. The connotation is you can not expect people of evil intent to utter anything good. By the way, in the Chinese culture, dogs are almost always negative in allusions. This is an admonishment against both parties in a dispute: the dispute would be impossible without either party. A mouse-catching dog steps on the cats' paws. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Gou3 na2 hao4zi4 -- duo1 guan3 xian2shi4.) How can you expect to find ivory in a dog's mouth? (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Gou3 zui3li3 tu3 bu1 chu1 xiang4ya2.) One palm makes no applause. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: zhang3 nan2 ming2.) Gu1 Look at a leopard through a pipe. You can add to the rest through (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Guan3 your imagination. This proverb zhong1 kui4 bao4.) means that one can tell the entirety by looking at part of it. Note, it has a commendatory rather than a derogatory connotation. Isn't that ungrateful and mean? There are people who after taking advantage of you turn their back to you. Dismantle the bridge after crossing it. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Guo4 he2 chai1 qiao2.) J

Proverbs An overcrowded chicken farm produce fewer eggs. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ji1 duo1 bu2 xia4 dan4, ren2 duo1 da3 xia1 luan4.) Annotation And Connotations Scientifically, it may not be true. But the connotation of this proverb is that when too many people try to do one thing, it proves less efficient. A similar English proverb goes: \"The more the eggs, the worse the hatch.\" Fragments of fox fur, sewn together, will make \"Many a mickle makes a a robe. muckle.\" (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ji2 ye4 cheng2 qiu2.) Harmony makes both a family and a nation prosperous. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jia1 he2 ri4zi4 wang4; guo2 he2 wan4 shi4 xing1.) Pick up a sesame seed only to lose a watermelon. (Chinese original: 捡了芝麻丢了西瓜 Chinese Pinyin: Jian3 le zhi1ma2, diu1 le xi1gua1.) Concentrate on small matters to the expense of more important ones. Elderly people are more experienced. How true: friends help while people you offend may turn out to be your liability. We should make more friends than enemies. Aged ginger is more pungent. (Chinese original: 姜是老的辣Chinese Pinyin: Jiang1 shi4 lao3de la4.) A friend made is a road paved; an enemy created is a wall built. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jiao1 ge4 peng2you3 duo1 tiao2 lu4, shu4 ge4 di2ren2 duo1 du3 qiang2.) A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den. To succeed one must have (Chinese original: 狡兔三窟Chinese Pinyin: Jiao3 tu4 several alternatives. san1 ku1.) Regular feet can't be affected by irregular shoes. (Chinese original: 脚正不怕邪歪 Chinese Pinyin: Jiao3 zheng4 bu2 pa4 xie2 wai1.) 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 Present Buddha with borrowed flowers. You say \"I am presenting (Chinese original: 借花献佛Chinese Pinyin: Jie4 hua1 Buddha with borrowed flowers\" to someone with xian4 fo2.) whom you present a gift that someone else has given to you. It is a humorous way of mitigating the awkwardness. You get away easily as you compare the receiver of the gift to Buddha, which shows a lot of respect albeit its lack of seriousness. Add a flower to a bouquet. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jin3 shang4 tian1 hua1.) Make improvements upon something good with an attempt at perfection. Living at a river, one comes to know the nature Familiarity and vicinity breed of the fish therein; Dwelling by a mountain, one more understanding. learns to recognize the language of the birds thereupon. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jin4 shui3 zhi1 yu2 xing4, jin4 shan1 shi2 niao3 yin1.) He who stays near vermilion gets stained red; One takes on the color of his he who stays near ink gets stained black. company. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jin4 zhu1 zhe3 chi4, jin4 mo4 zhe3 hei1.) A frog in a well shaft (Chinese original: zhi1 wa1.) A frog who lived in a well all Chinese Pinyin: Jing3 di2 his life never knew what the real body of waters was until a sea turtle told him about it. This proverb refers to somebody who has a very narrow-minded view of what they see or think. For a complete story, please read my book Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales of the Han Chinese, to be published in spring 2006 by Libraries Unlimited. Drinking with a bosom friend, a thousand shots are too few; Talking with a disagreeable person, half a sentence is too many. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jiu3 feng2 zhi1ji3 qian1 bei1 shao3, hua4 bu4 tou2 ji1 ban4 ju4 duo1.) It does not matter if your tavern sits in a Superb quality of your product remote location so long as the smell of your or service compensates for wine is appealing. other shortcomings. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jiu3 xiang1 bu2 pa4 xiang4zi shen1.) Help the needy but not the poor. There are too many poor (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Jiu4 ji2 people to help. Those who are in dire need are the ones that bu4 jiu4 qiong2.) need your help the most. Fearing laws makes one happy every day; withholding truth from heaven worries one all the time. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ju4 fa3 tian1 tian1 le4, qi1 tian1 ri4 ri4 you1.) K

Any book you open will benefit your mind. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Kai1 juan4 you3 yi4.) Steer one's boat where the winds lead. (Chinese original: 看风使舵Chinese Pinyin: Kan4 feng1 shi3 duo4.) Marking the Boat to Seek One's Sword. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ke4 zhou1 qiu2 jian4.) This proverb critisizes the opportunists who make their decisions according to different situations. A man dropped his sword into the river from a boat. He make a mark on the side of the boat and began to fish the sword when the boat was in shore.... For a complete story, please read my book Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese. Beware of this \"kiss of death.\" A honeyed mouth hides a daggered heart. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Kou3 mi4 fu4 jian4.) L

Proverbs Annotation And Connotations Pass oneself off as one of the Yu pipe Hold a post without adequate players in an ensemble. qualifications. (Chinese original: 滥竽充数Chinese Pinyin: Lan4 yu2 chong1 shu4.) A tiger never returns to his prey he did not finish off. (Chinese original: 老虎不吃回头食 Chinese Pinyin: Lao3hu3 bu4 chi1 hui2tou2shi2.) For fear that he may have exposed his trace, he will not take the risk of being caught in making the same trip a second time. A clever thief would not show up in the same spot soon again. An aged steed confined to the stable Ambition survives even in senior age. still aspires after the glory of galloping a thousand miles. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Lao3 ji4 fu2 li4, zhi4 zai4 qian1 li3.) Thunder is louder than the little rain warrants. (Chinese original: 雷声大，雨点小 Chinese Pinyin: Lei2 sheng1 da4, yu3 dian3 xiao3.) The wound caused by a sword can eventually be healed; the hurt resulted from vicious remarks can never be undone. (Chinese original: 利剑伤人犹可愈，恶语伤人很难消 Chinese Pinyin: Li4jian4 shang1 ren2 you2 ke3 yu4, e4yu3 shang1 ren2 hen4 nan2 xiao1.) So long as the green mountains are preserved, there will be no shortage of firewood supply. (Chinese original: 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧 Chinese Pinyin: Liu2 de2 qing1 shan1 zai4, bu2 pa4 mei2 cai2 shao1.) Begin to dig a well only when one feels thirsty. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Lin2 ke3 jue2 jing3.) More words than action. Avoid hurting people with vicious remarks when in anger or you will regret it. Used to encourage a person not to give up in face of great disaster or despair. The \"green mountain\" refers to the person himself. So long as he is ok, he can rebuild everything. Begin to take measures when it is too late. Have one's ears pierced only before the wedding ceremony starts. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Lin2 shang4 jiao4 xian4 zha1 er3duo yan3r.) It is a criticism of procrastination. Like a bride who waited till the last minute to get things done that should have been done earlier. It also has the connotation that it might be too late to wait till the last minute. It is better to start weaving your One should act than daydream. fishing nets than merely coveting fish at the water. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Lin2 yuan1 mu4 yu2, bu4 ru2 tui4 er3 jie2 wang3.) Flowing water never goes bad; door hubs never gather termites. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Liu2shui3 bu4 fu3, hu4shu1 bu2 du4.) A dragon will be teased by a shrimp in a shoal water; a tiger will be bullied by a dog on a treeless plain. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Long2 you2 qian3 shui3 zao1 xia1 xi4, hu3 luo4 ping2 yang2 bei4 quan3 qi1.) (A similar proverb: A mighty dragon cannot subdue a local snake. : Qiang2 long2 bu1 an4 di4 tou2 she2.) Some prefer carrot while others like cabbage. (Chinese original: 萝卜白菜，各有所爱 Chinese Pinyin: Luo2bo1 bai2cai4, ge4 you3 suo3 ai4.) It means that people got to renew their knowledge not to stay behind. The English \"Rolling stone gathers no moss\" has a different meaning. One thrives in his or her own territory. An able person in an adverse environment cannot bring his talent into full play. Instead, he or she may become an underdog of a less able person who has been in that environment for a long time with a lot of connections. \"One man's meat is another's poison\". People's preferences differ. A dish of carrot hastily cooked may When hurry through a job it is impossible still has soil not cleaned off the to attend to the minute details. vegetable. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Luo2bo1 kuai4 le bu4 xi3 ni2.) Throw in a rock as someone is drowning in the well. (Chinese original: 落井下石Chinese Pinyin: Luo4 jing3 xia4 shi2.) Fallen leaves return to the root. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Luo4ye4 gui1 gen4.) Attack someone while he is already in trouble or difficulty. It is like \"hitting one when he is down.\" Wherever they are, Chinese would like to return to their motherland in their senior ages. Donkey's lips do not fit in with a horse's mouth. (Chinese original: 驴唇不对马嘴 Chinese Pinyin: Lü2chun2 bu2 dui4 ma3zui3.) M

It refers to something totally irrelevant Proverbs Fighting a wolf with a flex stalk - either side is afraid of the other. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ma2gan3 da3 lang2 - liang3tou2 pa4.) Like ants gnawing at a bone. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ma3yi3 ken3 gu2tou2.) Annotation And Connotations Each party is fearful of the other: the wolf thought the stalk could be a fatal weapon while the person fears the consequence of his trick seen through by the wolf. Are you ever caught in a situation like this? A metaphor describing a situation where people trying an overwhelmingly big task by doing bit by bit with perseverance. It is too late for a galloping horse to Usually it is to advise people to quit bad stop at a clip; it is useless for a habbits and behaviors before it is too sinking boat to be mended in the late. middle of a river. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ma3 dao4 xuan2ya2 shou1 jiang1 wan3, chuan2 dao4 jiang1xin1 bu3 lou4 chi2.) A horse cannot gain weight if not fed with extra fodder during the night; a man cannot become wealthy without earnings apart from his regular salaries. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ma3 wu2 ye4 cao3 bu4 fei2, ren2 wu2 wai4 kuai4 bu2 fu4.) One needs to find income beyond his regular salary. This proverb is often used by those who try to justify their efforts to get more wealth through unlawful means. Return the jewelry but keep the box. Whoever does this must lack judgment, appreciating things of lesser value. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Mai3 du2 huan2 zhu1.) There's no insurmountable Mount of Flames. (Chinese original: 没有过不去的火焰山 Chinese Pinyin: Mei2 you3 guo4 bu1 qu4 de huo3yan4shan1.) There are no insurmountable difficulties. When people are no longer afraid of death, there is no use threatening them with it? (Chinese original: 民不畏死，奈何以死惧之 Chinese Pinyin: Min2 bu2 wei4 si3, nai4 he2 yi3 si3 ju4 zhi1?) It is easy to dodge a spear that comes in front of you but hard to avoid an arrow shot from behind. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ming2 qiang1 yi4 duo3, an4 jian4 nan2 fang2.) It is easier to guard against the obvious. Honing your hatchet will not delay It seems to take some time to do a good your effort of wood cutting. preparation for doing, but it pays off in (Chinese original: Chinese the long run. Pinyin: Mo2 dao1 bu2 wu4 kan3 chai2 gong1.) Trees have already been made into a What is done cannot be undone. boat. (Chinese original: 木已成舟Chinese Pinyin: Mu4 yi3 cheng2 zhou1.) (Similar proverb: Rice is already cooked. 生米煮成饭: Sheng1 mi3 zhu3 cheng2 fan4.) N

Proverbs A clay idol of bodhisattva fording a river can hardly save itself, let alone anyone else. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ni2 pu2sa4 guo4 he2, zi4shen1 nan2 bao3.) Annotation And Connotations Bodhisattva is believed to be an enlightened Buddhist god (goddess in Chinese beliefs) who, out of compassion, forgoes nirvana in order to save others. However, such a savior made in clay could save nobody on the other side of a river as the water would soak and dissolve it. When one is in serious trouble, he may not be able to save his own tail, let alone others'. A clay figure fears rain; a lie fears truth. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ni2ren2 pa4 yu3, huang3yan2 pa4 li3.) Would rather be betrayed by others than betraying them. (Chinese original: 宁可负我，切莫负人 Chinese Pinyin: Ning4 ke3 fu4 wo3, qie4 mo4 fu4 ren2.) Would rather be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail. (Chinese original: 宁做鸡头，不当凤尾 Chinese Pinyin: Ning4 zuo4 ji1 tou2 bu1 dang1 feng4 wei3.) O

A head is a head and a tail is a tail. There are situations where you would rather be somebody in a small institution than a small potato of a large one. Proverbs The lotus root may be severed, but its fibered threads are still connected. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ou3 duan4 si1 lian2.) P

Annotation And Connotations Something apparently severed but actually connected, such as a human relationship.\" Proverbs Throw out a brick to attract a jade. (Chinese original: 抛砖引玉Chinese Pinyin: Pao1 zhuan1 yin3 yu4.) Annotation And Connotations This is a Chinese way of showing modesty. When one tries to offer an opinion, he claims that his is but a commonplace one and with it he hopes that others may come up with better ideas. The proverb criticizes snobbishness. When you are poor, you will have no visitors even if you live in a crowded city; once you become rich, you'll be surprised by visitors from alleged relatives even if you live in a remote location. (Chinese original: 贫居闹市无人问，富居深山有远亲 Chinese Pinyin: Pin2 ju1 nao4shi4 wu2 ren2 wen4, fu4 ju1 shen1shan1 you3 yuan3 qin1.) A drop of sweat spent in a drill is a More practice will give one a better drop of blood saved in a battle. chance of success in real situation. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ping2shi2 duo1 liu2 han4, zhan4shi2 shao3 liu2 xue4.) Smash the pots and sink the boats. (Chinese original: 破釜沉舟Chinese Pinyin: Po4 fu3 chen2 zhou1.) It is said of a historical battle during the Qin dynasty. During an offensive march, a general ordered his men to smash their cooking pots and sink the boats with which they crossed the river, making it clear that retreating was no longer an option. When someone claims he is going to do this figuratively, he is determined to carry out his task till it is finished no matter what. L

Proverbs Looking for a donkey on its very back. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Qi2 lü2 zhao3 lü2.) Once on a tiger's back, it is hard to alight. (Chinese original: 骑虎难下 Chinese Pinyin: Qi2 hu3 nan2 xia4.) An ant may well destroy an entire dam. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Qian1 li3 zhi1 di1, kui4 yu2 yi3xue2.) A long march starts from the very first step. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Qian1li3 zhi1 xing2 shi3 yu2 zu2 xia4.) A smile woth a thousand ounces of gold. (Chinese original: 千金买笑Chinese Pinyin: Qian1 jin1 mai3 xiao4.) Annotation And Connotations Looking for something as if it were missing while it is just under one's nose. Once you take on a thorny task, you'll find it hard to get rid of it If a small problem is overlooked, it could develop into a big disaster as ant can multiply, making tunnels in the dam to allow water soak in and consequently bring it to a collapse. Success does not come from nothing, instead it comes from concrete hard work. You describe a smile that is hard to come by as \"a smile purchased for a thousand ounces of gold.\" There is a tragic story behind this proverb (See the story in my book The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese) (See the story in my book The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese) \"You can lead a horse to the water, but you can't make it drink.\" For that matter, a forced marriage is not happy and examples can be listed endlessly. A donkey has limited abilities. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Qian2 lü2 ji4 qiong2.) A melon forced off its vine is not sweet. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Qiang2 niu3 de gua1 bu4 tian2.) Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook. (Chinese original: 巧妇难为无米之炊 Chinese Pinyin: Qiao3fu4 nan2 wei2 wu2 mi3 zhi1 chui1.) It may not be true to American housewives who seldom cook rice. But rice is staple food in South China where the proverb may have originated. Without the right material, no matter how good you are, you may not accomplish the task. Learn from other's strong points to offset one's shortcomings. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Qu3 chang2 bu3 duan3.) R

Proverbs Annotation And Connotations A person cannot be judged by his Appearance is deceiving: youll never appearance in the same token as the know how capable and/or how powerful sea cannot be measured with a he may be. bucket. (Chinese original: 人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 Chinese Pinyin: Ren2 bu4ke3 mao4 xiang4; hai3shui3 bu4ke3 dou3 liang2.) The evil is dreaded by men but not heaven; the kind-hearted is cheated by mortals but not God. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ren2 e4 ren2 pa4 tian1 bu2 pa4, ren2 shan4 ren2 qi1 tian1 bu4 qi1.) Void of a long-term plan will bring you trouble soon. (Chinese original: 人无远虑，必有近忧 Chinese Pinyin: Ren2 wu2 yuan3 lü4 bi4 you3 jin4 you1.) A person moves up while water runs down. (Chinese original: 人往高处走，水往低处流Chinese Pinyin: Ren2 wang3 gao1 chu4 zou3, shui3 wang3 di1 chu4 liu2.) A man's greed is like a snake that wants to swallow an elephant. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ren2 xin1 bu4 zu2 she2 tun1 xiang4.) One should never give up efforts to improve oneself, whether morally or financially. You can never tell what one really thinks. Sincerity shows through one's actions rather than words and appearance. A man's heart is indiscernible behind You can never tell what one really thinks. his chest. Sincerity shows through one's actions rather than words and appearance. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ren2 xin1 ge2 du4 pi2.) (A similar proverb: You may know someone by his appearance, but you may never know what he thinks. : Zhi1 ren2 zhi1 mian4 bu4 zhi1 xin1.) S

Proverbs You think you lost your horse? Who knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday. (Chinese original: 塞翁失马，安知非福 Chinese Pinyin: Sai4 weng1 shi1 ma3, an1 zhi1 fei1 fu2.) Three humble shoemakers brainstorming make a great statesman. (Chinese original: 三个臭皮匠，凑个诸葛亮 Chinese Pinyin: San1ge4 chou4 pi2jiang4, cou4 ge4 Zhu1ge3 Liang4.) Of all the thirty-six stratagems, to know when to quit is the best. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: San1-shi2 liu4 ji4, zou3 wei2 shang4 ce4.) Annotation And Connotations The story goes that an old man lost his horse. As he was bemoaning, the animal returned bringing at his heels a herd more. It is thus regarded as a \"Blessing in disguise.\" Or \"Every cloud has a silver lining.\" The literary translation of the original is \"Three smelly leather shoemakers put together can be counted as a Zhuge Liang\", who was one of the greatest statesman as well as a military strategist in ancient Chinese history. The literary translation of the original is \"Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best.\" \"The Thirty-Six Stratagems\" are believed to have covered almost all the military strategic thinking Sun Zi, another greatest military strategist in ancient Chinese history, expounded in his thirteen chapter monograph, which has been regarded as the bible of the military in Chinese history and has now been seen very useful in business in Asia as well. To warn the many by punishing a few. Kill a chicken before a monkey. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Sha1 ji1 gei3 hou2 kan4.) Kill a hen to get the egg. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Sha1 ji1 qu3 lüan3.) Kill one to warn a hundred. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Sha1 yi1 jing3 bai3.) Same as above. To warn the many by punishing a few. The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountain. (Chinese original: 山雨欲来风满楼 Chinese Pinyin: Shan1yu3 yu4 lai2 feng1 man3 lou2.) Before a big event takes place, there will be a precursory atmosphere. Good will be rewarded with good and \"What goes around comes around.\" evil with evil; it is only a matter of time. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shan4 e4 dao4 tou2 zhong1 you3 bao4, zhi3 deng3 lai2 zao3 yu4 lai2 chi2.) The gate of charity is hard to open When offering charity or help, be cautious nor close; a guest is easy to invite of people that may take advantage of but hard to turn away. you. (Chinese original: 善门难开，善门难闭； 召之即来，推之不去。 Chinese Pinyin: Shan4 men2 nan2 kai1, shan4 men2 nan2 bi4. Zhao1 zhi1 ze2 lai2, tui1 zhi1 bu2 qu4.) If you do not study hard when young Used to encourage children to study hard. you'll end up bewailing your failures as you grow up. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shao4 xiao3 bu4 nu3li4, lao3 da4 tu2 shang1bei1.) A life with love is happy; a life for love is foolish. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Sheng1huo2 you3 ai4 xing4fu2, wei4 ai4 sheng1huo2 yu2chun3.) Your fingers can't be of the same That is true. And that is true with life: we length. can't expect everything or everybody is (Chinese original: 十个指头不一般齐 perfect. Chinese Pinyin: Shi2ge4 zhi3tou2 bu2 yi1 ban1 qi3.) Ten years of oblivion in school may Used to encourage people to study hard. bring you fame overnight. (Chinese original: 十年寒窗无人问，一举成名天下知 Chinese Pinyin: Shi2 nian2 han2 chuang1 wu2 ren2 wen4, yi4 ju3 cheng2 ming2 tian1 xia4 zhi1.) Scholars are invaluable to a nation as the best course to a banquet. (Chinese original: 士者国中宝，如为席上珍 Chinese Pinyin: Shi4 zhe3 guo2 zhong1 bao3, ru2 wei2 xi2 shang4 zhen1.) Ones skills are his inexhaustible Used to encourage people to acquire treasure keeping him from hunger more skills so that they can always be wherever he goes. marketable. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shou3yi4 shi4 huo2bao3, tian1xia4 e4 bu4 dao3.) (Similar proverb is Ones skills never weigh him down: 艺不压身, Chinese Pinyin: Yi4 bu4 ya1 shen1) Give one fish and he's fed for only a day. Teach one how to fish and he'll be free from hunger all his life. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shou4 ren2 yi3 yu2 zhi3 jiu4 yi1 shi2 zhi1 ji2, shou4 ren2 yi3 yu2 ze2 jie3 yi1 sheng1 zhi1 xu1..) Diligence is the vehicle on the paths of Mountains of Books; endurance is the vessel on the courses of the Seas of Learning. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shu1 shan1 you3 lu4 qin2 wei2 jing4, xue2 hai3 wu2 ya2 ku3 zuo4 zhou1.) Once a tree falls, the monkeys on it will scatter. (Chinese original: 树倒猢狲散 Chinese Pinyin: Shu4 dao3 hu2sun1 san4.) The trees want to remain quiet, but the wind will not stop. (Chinese original: 树欲静而风不止 Chinese Pinyin: Shu4 yu4 jing4 er3 feng1 bu4 zhi3.) A mouse's vision is an inch long. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shu3 mu4 cun4 guang1.) \"God help those who help themselves.\" Wouldn't be better to enable one to help themselves? When a person of influence lost his favor, those associated with him will abandon him. Trouble is brewing in the samblance of peace. If one has such \"vision,\" he sees only short-term benefits that may jeopardize long-term interests. Water can float a boat and sink it as well. (Chinese original: 水能载舟，亦能覆舟 Chinese Pinyin: Shui3 neng2 zai4 zhou1, yi4 neng2 fu4 zhou1.) Fish cannot survive in absolutely clear water. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shui3 zhi4 qing1 ze2 wu2 yu2.) Fish for the moon in the water. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Shui3 zhong1 lao1 yue4.) This proverb is often used to compare people to water and rulers to boat. It says that people can vote a leader into office and kick them out of it if they choose. One should not demand absolute purity or perfectness. It is a useless attempt. A folklore goes that a kingdom of monkeys seeing the refection of the moon in a well thought it fell into it. They formed a monkey chain to fish it, only to find that the moon was still in the evening sky. T

Proverbs You looked high and low till your iron shoes were worn out but still to no avail. Then you chanced upon it without ever looking. (Chinese original: 踏破铁鞋无觅处，得来全不费功夫 Chinese Pinyin: Ta4 po4 tie3xie2 wu2 mi4 chu4, de2lai2 quan2 bu4 fei4 gong1fu.) Annotation And Connotations You looked for something everywhere but could not find it. All of a sudden you chanced upon it. Have you had this experience? I bet you have A mantis stalking a cicada is unaware While coveting gains ahead, one should of an oriole behind. be aware of the danger behind. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tang2lang2 bu3 chan2, huang2que4 zai4 hou4.) No banquet in the world that never ends. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tian1xia4 mei2you3 bu4 san4 de yan4xi2.) Nothing in the world is eternal. Friendship, relations and a good time are no exceptions Crows everywhere are equally black. It is a metaphorical statement of \"Bad (Chinese original: Chinese people are bad no matter where you find Pinyin: Tian1xia4 wu1ya1 yi1ban1 hei1.) them because human nature never changes\". Perseverance can reduce an iron rod to a sewing needle. (Chinese original: 铁杵磨成针Chinese Pinyin: Tie3 chu3 mo2 cheng2 zhen1.) See the story in my book The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese. Dream different dreams on the same Hide different purposes behind the bed. semblance of accord. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tong2 chuang2 yi4 meng4.) Fail to steal a chicken, which instead Kind of like \"Shoot Your Own Feet\". ate up your bait. Starting out to hurt others but ending up in being hurt. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tou1 ji1 bu4cheng2 fan3 shi1 yi1ba3 mi3.) Steal beams and replace them with poles. (Chinese original: 偷梁换柱Chinese Pinyin: Tou1 liang2 huan4 zhu4.) A flea on the top of a bald head - it is only too apparent. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tu1zi tou2shang de shi1zi - ming2 bai3 zhe de shi4.) In so doing, the devious contractors are perpetrating a fraud. The proverb is also extended to any deception involving the replacement of one thing with another. A crane is too obvious when it stands among a flock of chickens and looks very awkward. It is also true with a camel amidst a flock of sheep and a flea when it stands on top of a hairless head. They all carry a pejorative tone: the thing that out stands others is something awkward if not necessarily bad. See the story in my book The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese. The proverb is used derogatorily to refer to the forlornness that bad people feel upon learning the misfortune of their like. The proverb is used derogatorily. It is believed that a villain usually does not harm his neighbors. An unfolded map reveals a dagger. (Chinese original: 图穷匕首见 Chinese Pinyin: Tu2 qiong2 bi4 xian4.) Foxes grieve over the death of rabbits. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tu4 si3 hu2 bei1.) Rabbits do not eat the grass around their burrows. (Chinese original: 兔子不吃窝边草 Chinese Pinyin: Tu4zi bu4 chi1 wo1bian1 cao3.) Even a rabbit will bite when it is cornered. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Tu4zi ji2 le ye3 yao3 ren2.) W

Proverbs Annotation And Connotations Ruthlessness is key to a man's accomplishment. (Chinese original: 无毒不丈夫Chinese Pinyin: Wu2 du2 bu4 zhang4fu1.) No wind, no waves. (Chinese original: feng1 bu4 qi3 lang4.) Chinese Pinyin: Wu2 Unfortunately history proves it to be true again and again, particularly among statesmen and politicians. How about \"There is no fire without smoke.\"? The assumption here is that rumors may have some grounds. When someone who rarely contacts you suddenly comes to you and you know what he is come to, you will say this to yourself. 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. Don't gloat over others' mistakes while you are making the same ones in a different fasion. One never comes to pray in the Temple of Three Treasures if he is not in trouble. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Wu2 shi4 bu1 deng1 san1bao3dian4.) If you have never done anything wrong, you should not be worrying about devils to knock at your door. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Wu2 shi4 bu2 pa4 gui3 jiao4 men2.) Fifty steps laugh at a hundred steps. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Wu3 shi2 bu4 xiao4 yi1 bai3 bu4.) Things will develop in the opposite direction The pendulum is also swing back when they become extreme. and forth. (Chinese original: 物极必反Chinese Pinyin: Wu4 ji2 bi4 fan3.) Visiting monks give better sermons. People always value opinions (Chinese original: 外来的和尚好念经 Chinese Pinyin: coming from sources other than their fellow employees. Wai4 lai2 de he2shang4 hao3 nian4jing1.) He who plays with fire may become its victim. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Wan2 huo3 zi4 fen2.) Mend the pen only after the sheep are all gone. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Wang2 yang2 bu3 lao2.) An evil doer will eventually end up being punished. Some say it is too late. Some say, well, if you learn a lesson, it is not necessarily late: no more sheep will flee. It is better than if you leave the pen broken at all. Therefore people use the proverb to either purpose. Y

Proverbs Annotation And Connotations You won't help the new plants grow by Be patient and let nature run its course pulling them up higher. or you'll do a diservice. (Chinese original: 揠苗助长 Chinese Pinyin: Ya4 miao2 zhu4 zhang3.) Steal a bell with one's ears plugged. (Chinese original: 掩耳盗铃Chinese Pinyin: Yan3 er3 dao4 ling2.) A bell is supposed to be ringing when moved and alert the owner. The theft here thought if he covered up his own ears, no one else in the world will hear it either. That is stupid. Sure. This proverb is just to mock someone who takes it for granted that if he thinks others do not know what he is doing and they would surely do not know it. Don't want others to know what you have done? Better not have done it anyway. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yao4 xiang3 ren2 bu4 zhi1, chu2fei1 ji3 mo4 wei2.) Todays beneficiary is the incarnation of his preexisting well-doer; the fate of ones next existence lies in his existence today. (Chinese original: 要知前世， 今生受者是； 要知后世果，今生做者是 Chinese Pinyin: Yao4 zhi1 qian2 shi4 yin1, jin1 sheng1 shou4 zhe3 shi4; yao4 zhi1 hou4 shi4 guo3, jin1 sheng1 zuo4 zhe3 shi4.) Lord Ye's professed love of dragons turned into his worst fear. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Ye4gong1 hao4 long2.) What goes around comes around. Doing good will benefit yourself eventually. Otherwise youll get comeuppance. A Lord Ye professed that he loved dragons. To prove it, he drew dragons everywhere. When the real dragons paid him a visit, he was scared to death. One may not do what he claims to be interested in doing. For a complete story, please read my book Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales of the Han Chinese, to be published in spring 2006 by Libraries Unlimited. The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be. (Chinese original: 夜长梦多 Chinese Pinyin: Ye4 chang2 meng4 duo1.) Approach heaven with a single stride. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi2 bu4 deng1 tian1.) The longer we stay in a disadvantageous position, the more risks we'll take. Make an extremely fast progress or get a huge promotion. Each law suit is a fire; you can't avoid It may not be true, but this is a its burning flame. traditional Chinese belief. People would (Chinese original: rather suffer some loss than find themselves entangled in a law suit that Chinese could prove more costly. Pinyin: Yi1 chang3 guan1si1 yi1 chang3 huo3, ren4 ni3 hao3han4 mei2 chu4 duo3.) Each sovereign maintains his own courtiers. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 chao2 tian1zi1 yi1 chao2 chen2.) An inch of time is an inch of gold, but an inch of time cannot be purchased for an inch of gold. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 cun4 guang1yin1 yi1 cun4 jin1; cun4 jin1 nan2 mai3 cun4 guang1yin1.) A single merit cannot make a hundred demerits fade; a hundred merits cannot hide a single demerit. (Chinese original: 一好遮不了百丑，百好遮不了一丑 Chinese Pinyin: Yi4 hao3 zhe1 bu4 liao3 bai3 chou3; bai3 hao3 zhe1 bu4 liao3 yi4 chou3.) It is impossible to add much weight with a single morsel; it is hard to travel afar with a single step. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi4 kou3 chi1 bu1 cheng2 pang4zi3, yi2 bu4 kua4 bu2 dao4 tian1 bian1.) A deliberate inaction is better than a blind action. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 dong4 bu4 ru2 yi2 jing4.) One monk shoulders water by himself; two can still share the labor between them. When it comes to three, they have to go thirsty. (Chinese original: 一个和尚挑水喝，两个和尚抬水喝，三个和尚没水喝。Chinese Pinyin: Yi2ge4 he2shang4 tiao1 shui3 he1, liang3ge4 he2shang4 tai2 shui3 he1, san1ge4 he2shang4 mei2 shui3 he1.) For instance, each president has his own cabinet. Disregard the different use of unit words describing nouns in different cultures. This proverb tells the truth that time is more valuable than money. Money spent or lost can be earned; time lost is lost for good. No money can buy it back. The motto is that we got to make good use of our time. One can't expect success overnight. Used to encourage people to work hard instead of seeking an impossible shortcut. Think before you leap. It is a scenario where lack of individual initiative could breed dependence upon each other so that the more people the lesser things are done. Kill two vultures with one arrow. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 jian4 shuang1 diao1.) The dragon has nine sons, each different from the others. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 long2 sheng1 jiu3 zhong3, zhong3 zhong3 bu4 tong2.) Once bitten by a snake, one is scared all his life at the mere sight of a rope. (Chinese original: 一年遭蛇咬，十年怕井绳 Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 nian2 zao1 she2 yao3, shi2 nian2 pa4 jing3 sheng2.) Kill two birds with one stone. Rarely do sibblings have the same temperament and characters. Once bitten, twice shy. A year's harvest counts on spring; a Used to encourage people to study man's success counts on his diligence. hard. (Chinese original: 一年之际在于春，一生之际在于勤 Chinese Pinyin: Yi4nian2 zhi1 ji4 zai4yu2 chun1, yi4sheng1 zhi1 ji4 zai4yu2 qin2.) One dog snarls at a shadow; a hundred Blindly follow a trend without even howl at each others barking. knowing what it is. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 quan3 fei4 ying3, bai3 quan3 fei4 sheng1.) Two tigers cannot share one mountain (forest). (Chinese original: 一山不容二虎 or 一林不二虎 Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 shan1 bu4 rong2 er4 hu3. Or Yi1 lin2 bu2 er4 hu3.) Force tells weak from strong for a moment; truth tells right from wrong all the time. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi4shi2 qiang2 ruo4 zai4yu2 li4, wan4gu3 sheng4 fu4 zai4yu2 li3.) Two equally talented or able employees cannot work well side by side in one unit . That may not be the case with everyone, but people do become jealous of their peers sometimes. A man of honor will feel ashamed by a single question to which he does not know the answer. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 shi4 bu4 zhi1, jun1zi3 zhi1 chi3.) This is to encourage people to learn everything he can and be ashamed at not knowing even one bit of what they have learned. One thing well done is a hundred done; If one is capable of accomplishing one one thing that fails dooms the rest. thing, he is likely to accomplish many more or vice versa. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 shi4 jing1, bai3 shi4 jing1; yi1 wu2 cheng3, bai3 wu2 cheng2.) Fruits of the same tree have different tastes; children of the same mother have various qualities. (Chinese original: 一树之果有酸有甜，一母之子有愚有贤 Chinese Pinyin: Yi2 shu4 zhi1 guo3 you3 suan1 you3 tian2, yi1 mu3 zhi1 zi3 you3 yu2 you3 xian2.) One failure leads to another; so does success. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 sun3 ju4 sun3, yi1 rong2 ju4 rong2.) One justice can overpower a hundred evils. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 zheng4 ya1 bai3 xie2.) When good fortune finally comes, no one can ever stop it. (Chinese original:一朝时运至，半点不由人 Chinese Pinyin: Yi1 zhao1 shi2 yun4 zhi4, ban4 dian3 bu4 you2 ren2.) One bee makes no honey; one grain makes no rice soup. (Chinese original: Yi4zhi1 feng1 niang4 bu4 cheng2 mi4; yi4ke1 mi3 ao2 bu4 cheng2 zhou2.) Fight poison with poison. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi3 du2 gong1 du2.) Hit a stone with an egg. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi3 luan3 tou2 shi2.) A base person often thinks of a man of honor as mean as himself. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yi3 xiao3ren2 zhi1 xin1 du4 jun1zi3 zhi1 fu4.) It is usually true among people who share the same interest and lot. We always believe in the power of justice. An individual's effort is limited. Use the opponent's tactics to attack the opponent. Similar to \"Fight fire with fire.\" Overrate one's power and gets defeated because of it. Tears cannot put out a fire. (Chinese original: 眼泪救不了火 Chinese Pinyin: Yan3lei4 jiu4 bu4 liao3 huo3.) The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be. (Chinese original: 夜长梦多 Chinese Pinyin: Ye4 chang2 meng4 duo1.) One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yin1 ye4 fei4 shi2.) Don't suspect your employee. If one is suspicious, don't employ him. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yong4 ren2 bu4 yi2, yi2 ren2 bu2 yong4.) A flower you plant may not necessarily bloom; but the seed of a tree you happen to drop may grow into a forest. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: You3 yi4 zai1 hua1 hua1 bu4 kai1, wu2 yi4 cha1 liu3 liu3 cheng2 yin1.) \"The Foolish Old Man\" Removes a Mountain. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu2gong1 yi2 shan1.) Weakness will lead to nowhere. The longer we stay in a disadvantageous position, the more risks we'll take. You can't refuse to do the thing you need to just because there is a slight chance to fail. This irony happens often in real life. For instance, one's spouse may not be the sweetheart one used to spent so much time and energy to woo. Some discoveries and inventions happen in the same manner: Coca Cola is for one. The legend goes that an old man was leading his family in picking away at a mountain in front of his house. When asked how he could accomplish this feat, the \"Foolish Old Man\" replied that if his family worked ceaselessly generation after generation, the mountain would eventually be leveled. He said, \"An inch removed, it has an inch lesser.\" This proverb was once quoted by Mao Tse-tung to encourage the Chinese to fight the formidable Japanese invaders during WWII. The moral is, in dealing with a seemingly very difficult task, keep on working at it without fear, and you will eventually succeed. For the full story, please read my book Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales of the Han Chinese, to be published in spring 2006 by Libraries Unlimited. Sell, use or present the fake or sham instead of the genuine. Pass off a fish eye for a pearl. (Chinese original: 鱼目混珠Chinese Pinyin: Yu2 mu4 hun4 zhu1.) Like bamboo shoots after rain. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu3 hou4 chun1 sun3.) A jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good-for-nothing until he is educated. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu4 bu4 zhuo1 bu4 cheng2 qi4, ren2 bu2 jiao4 nan2 cheng2 cai2.) A chat with a friend is worth over ten years of schooling. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu4 jun1 yi4 xi2 tan2, sheng4 du2 shi2 nian2 shu1.) As a snipe and a clam are entangled in a fight, a fisherman catch them both. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu4 bang4 xiang1 zheng1, yu2 weng1 de2 li4.) The more you try to cover things up, the more exposed they will be. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu4 gai4 mi2 zhang1.) Be considerable to others and you will be treated likewise. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yu4 ren2 fang1bian4, zi4ji3 fang1bian4.) To enjoy a grander sight, climb to a greater height. (Chinese original: 欲穷千里目，更上一层楼 Chinese Pinyin: Yu4 qiong2 qian1li3 mu4, geng4 shang4 yi4 ceng2 lou2.) Seek fish on a tree. (Chinese original: 缘木求鱼Chinese Pinyin: Yuan2 mu4 qiu2 yu2.) Distant water won't help to put out a fire close at hand. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yuan3 shui3 jiu4 bu4 liao3 jin4 huo3.) Grow like mushrooms. It is an emphasis on the need of education. This is a hyperbole. However, books may not be able to teach us everything. When two dogs fight for a bone, a third runs always with it. The proverb tells us that all parties in a dispute may end up being losers to the benefit of others. To make a greater achievement on the basis of previous successes. Apparently it is a fruitless effort. A slow remedy can't meet an emergency. Distant water won't quench your immediate thirst. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Yuan3 shui3 jie3 bu4 liao3 jin4 ke3.) Same as above. Z

Proverbs Put one person's hat on another's head. (Chinese original: 张冠李戴Chinese Pinyin: Zhang1 guan1 li3 dai4.) Annotation And Connotations Confuse one thing with another. One who knows the limit knows true Insatiability is the source of unhappiness happiness. as one can never feel satisfied. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zhi1 zu2 zhe3 chang2 le4.) Paper can't wrap up a fire. (Chinese original:纸包不住火、Chinese Pinyin: Zhi3 bao1 bu2 zhu4 huo3.) You will never lose a battle if you know your own situation as well as that of the enemy. (Chinese original: 知彼知己，百战不殆 Chinese Pinyin: Zhi1 ji3 zhi2 bi3, bai3 zhan4 bu2 dai4.) A governor may commit arson while the governed are not allowed to light a lamp. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zhi3 xu3 zhou1guan1 fang4 huo3, bu4 xu3 bai3xing4 dian3 ding1.) Point at the mulberry and abuse the pagoda tree. (Chinese original: 指桑骂槐Chinese Pinyin: Zhi3 sang1 ma4 huai2.) How true: it will burn it self out as truth will eventually reveals itself despite cover ups. One may steal a horse while another may not look over the hedge. A bully may do whatever he wants but won't bear the sight of others doing a fraction of what he is doing. This is very subtle: the abuser tries to make his or her abuse felt by the abused and yet hopes to get away with it by pretending to abuse someone or something else. For instance, when a kid got into a fight with another in the neighborhood, the parent of the kid intervened pretending to scold her own child but the vituperation was actually meant for the neighbor's child. Making a thousand decisions, even the wise will make a mistake. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zhi4zhe3 qian1 lü4, bi4 you3 yi1 shi1.) Ones son is clever while the neighbor is suspicious. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zhi4 zi3 yi2 lin2.) Homer sometimes nods. Ones judgment is marred by his emotions. The story behind this proverb goes like this. A man of wealth found a wall of his house damaged by a heavy rain. His son warned him against theft if he procrastinated its repair. Meanwhile, a neighbor gave him the same warning. Sure enough, the house was broken in that night. Despite the same warning, the man of wealth thought of his son as intelligent while approached the neighbor as a suspect of the crime. Only when all contribute their Another way of saying \"United and we firewood can they build up a strong can stand strong.\" fire. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zhong4ren2 shi2 chai2 huo3yan4 gao1.) A thief cries \"Stop thief!\" (Chinese original: 贼喊捉贼Chinese Pinyin: Zei2 han3 zhuo1 zei2.) This is a ploy criminals often use to divert the attention of investigators. If a son is uneducated, his dad is to Parents are important in their kids' blame. education. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zi3 bu2 jiao4, fu4 zhi1 guo4.) Ones own meat dishes are not as delicious as others vegetarian ones. (Chinese original: Chinese Pinyin: Zi4 jia1 de rou4 bu4 xiang1, ren2jia2 de cai4 you3 wei4.) One is always ungrateful for one already has.