Chinese sayings and proverbs

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!

Far waters cannot quench near fires

Rather once cry your heart out than always sigh

A smile will gain you ten more years of life

Covetous men’s chests are rich, not they

You burn incense before the god, and then topple him

You can’t catch a cub without going into the tiger’s den

He comes with incense in one hand, in the other a spear

Begin with an error of an inch and end by being a thousand miles off the mark

To listen well is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well and is as essential to all true conversation

Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook

The black dog gets the food; the white dog gets the blame

He who hurries cannot walk with dignity

A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind

Of all the thirty-six alternatives, running away is the best

Exaggeration is to paint a snake and add legs

The pen can kill a man; no knife is needed

Everyone pushes a falling fence

The one who first resorts to violence shows that he has no more arguments

Careless rat chewing on a cat’s tail

A client twixt his attorney and counselor is like a goose twixt two foxes

Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes

Kill one to warn a hundred

The sheep has no choice when in the jaws of the wolf

Medicine can only cure curable disease, and then not always

Gold is tested by fire, man by gold