Welcome to the largest Chinese proverbs colection. You will find here ancient Chinese proverbs, wise sayings, Chinese phrases and even funny Chinese proverbs. Click on the title to read it, think about it and then read it again. Chinese sayings have layer upon layer of wisdom, so don't hesitate to comment - share your opinion on the sayings, give some real life examples and even ask when you feel puzzled. And if you know some proverb that isn't listed here, don't hesitate to share it!

Happy reading!

If you are standing upright, don’t worry if your shadow is crooked

The diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials

The man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out

Pleasures are shallow, sorrows deep

Habits are cobwebs at first, cables at last

Gold is tested by fire, man by gold

Keep your broken arm inside your sleeve

The one who plants the tree is not the one who will enjoy its shade

Do not seek answers; seek to understand the questions

A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man made perfect without trials

In his decision the judge with seven reasons gives only one in court

Better do a kindness near home than go far to burn incense

Transgressions should never be forgiven a third time

To forget one’s ancestor’s is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root

A bad worker quarrels with his tools

Leave a bit of the tail to whisk off flies

He that has no silver in his purse, should have silver on his tongue

Careless rat chewing on a cat’s tail

Politeness wins the confidence of princes

Raise your sail one foot and you get ten feet of wind

Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men’s clothes

A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind

Govern a family as you would cook a small fish–very gently

If you want an audience, start a fight

Don’t waste good iron for nails or good men for soldiers

Next Page »