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!

Married couples tell each other a thousand things without speech

The pine stays green in winter, wisdom in hardship

Better go than send

Add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it

Four horses cannot overtake the tongue

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other

Forget the favors you have given; remember those received

A smile will gain you ten more years of life

A frog in a well-shaft seeing the sky

A single beam cannot support a great house

Wait long, strike fast

Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come

The father in praising the son extols himself

Men fated to be happy need not haste

All things change, and we change with them

Rare commodities are worth more than gold

Never argue with a man who buys ink by the barrel

Unplowed fields make hollow bellies; unread books make hollow minds

In the midst of great joy do not promise to give a man anything; in the midst of great anger do not answer a man’s letter

Patience is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit

Small winnings make a heavy purse

One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him

Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them

Often one finds one’s destiny just where one hides to avoid it

One cannot manage too many affairs; like pumpkins in water, one pops up while you try to hold down the other