Unplowed fields make hollow bellies; unread books make hollow minds

Similar sayings:

A vacant mind is open to all suggestions, as a hollow mountain returns all sounds A vacant mind is open to all suggestions, as a hollow mountain returns all sounds
A closed mind is like a closed book; just a block of wood A closed mind is like a closed book; just a block of wood
You can’t fill your belly painting pictures of bread You can’t fill your belly painting pictures of bread
A fly before his own eye is bigger than an elephant in the next field A fly before his own eye is bigger than an elephant in the next field
The broad-minded see the truth in different religions; the narrow-minded see only the differences The broad-minded see the truth in different religions; the narrow-minded see only the differences

Chinese sayings and proverbs