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!

Dream of a funeral and you hear of a marriage

Clumsy birds have need of early flight

Easy to run downhill, much puffing to run up

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses

The fire you kindle for your enemy often burns yourself more than him

What is whispered in your ear is often heard a hundred miles off

An inch of time is an inch of gold, but you can’t buy that inch of time with an inch of gold

Those who have free seats at a play hiss first

Habits are cobwebs at first, cables at last

O eggs, never fight with stones!

Curse your wife at evening, sleep alone at night

The older the ginger, the more it bites

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

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion

Better the cottage where one is merry than the palace where one weeps

It is the beautiful bird which gets caged

Mallet strikes chisel; chisel splits wood

Men know not all their faults, oxen all their strength

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

Weaving a net is better than praying for fish at the edge of the water

Garlands are not for every brow

Easy to know men’s faces, not their hearts

Men fated to be happy need not haste

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

Seeking fish? Don’t dive in the pond; go home and get a net