中国谚语Best-Loved_Chinese_Proverbs 177页

Best-LovedChineseProverbsSecondEditionqTHEODORALAUWITHKENNETHANDLAURALAU Thisbookisdedicatedtoourfamily,whoseloveandsupportarebeyondcompare. ContentsIntroductionviiAWordaboutChineseCalligraphyixPronunciationKeyxiAbility1Adaptability4Admiration6Adversity8Anger10Beauty12Caution13Character15Compromise16Conflict17Cooperation18iii ContentsCourtesy21Crisis24Criticism25Deception27Defeat30Diligence32Discretion34Falsehood/Gossip36Family/Home39Fate41Fire43Foresight44Fortune47Frugality/Prosperity51Futility53Greed55Happiness58Harmony/Contentment60Heart62Honor66Horses69Humility71Indecision73iv ContentsInspiration75Knowledge78Leadership82Livelihood85Longevity89Love92Misfortune96Moderation98Morality99Necessity102Neighbors103Nepotism104Obstinacy105Opportunity107Patience109Peace/GoodWishes112Perseverance114Poverty117Prejudice119Pride120Profit121Responsibility124Sincerity126v ContentsStrategy128Success136Superiority139Suspicion141Talent142Thought143Trust144Victory145Wealth147Wisdom150Worry154AbouttheAuthors155OtherBooksbyTheodoraLauCreditsCoverCopyrightAboutthePublishervi IntroductionhefirsteditionofBest-LovedChineseProverbswasTpublishedin1995.Inoursecondedition,wehaveaddedsomenewinterpretationsofChineseproverbs.Wehaveenjoyedhearingfromourreadershowtheseproverbshaveprovidedinspiration,comfort,andanewavenueofcommunicationinlife’strialsandblessings.TheappealofChineseproverbshasalwaysbeenpro-foundanduniversal.Thebeautyofthesestatementsisintheirbrevityandsimplicity.Theirmissiontogiveadirectmessagethatwillreachtheheartandmindofthereaderisoftenachievedwithaplombandfinesse.Thesedown-to-earthandsuccinctcompositionssummarizeandcrystallizethepenetratingwitandwisdomoftheHanpeopleforthebenefitofall.Likeintensebeamsoflight,theseproverbshighlighttruthsvii Introductioninlifethatareevidentbutoftenignoredorunreal-ized.TheChineseproverbsherewerederivedindirectlyfromoldChinesetexts.BeinginterpretedinEnglishnotonlybringsouttheirtimelessvaluebutgivesnewdimensionsinexpression.Thesewell-testedtruthsofcondensedknowl-edgecanonceagainbeusedtoobserveandtoinstruct.Mostoftheproverbsherearepoeticallyexpressedinthewordsoftheauthor.Theyareoriginalverse,notverbatimtranslationsofanyChinesetext.Somearenoteventranslationsatallbutaredistillationsofseveralsayingsfromdifferentsources.Becauseoftheantiquityofthesesayings,allhaveunknownorigins.Differentre-gionsofChinamayalsohavedifferentversions.Butastheysay,totrulyknowapeople,knowtheirproverbs.ItisourbeliefthatthevalueofChineseproverbshasonlyincreasedwiththepassingoftheages:theyringastruetodayastheyhaveforthousandsofyears.Wehaveretrieved,molded,andpolishedtheseproverbstointroducetheminanewandrevealinglight.Wehopethatyouwillenjoythisneweditionofthemasmuchaswelovedwritingthemforyou.—Theodora,Kenneth,andLauraLauviii AWordaboutChineseCalligraphyBYKENNETHLAUlltheChinesecalligraphyhereisintheproperAunabbreviatedformoforiginalandtraditionalChinese,notthesimplifiedversioncommonlyusedinChinatoday.Thistraditionalformofcalligraphyisfol-lowedinHongKong,Taiwan,andSingaporeandisanimportantpartofChineseculture.Allthewordshaveauspiciousmeaningsandaremeanttobepositive,uplifting,orinspiring.Chinesecharactersdenotingnegativeorinauspiciousmeaningsaregenerallynotexhibited,astheirinfluenceisconsid-eredunluckyandunhappyforpeople.ix AWordaboutChineseCalligraphyThereareaboutfivethousandChinesecharactersorwordscommonlyusedinthelanguage;whenthesearecombined,theyproducearichandpowerfulvocabu-laryofnewwordsandusagewiththousandsofpos-sibilities.Sometimesasinglecharacterwillsuffice—asinthewords“love,”“endurance,”“fortune,”and“livelihood”—butinmostinstancescompoundchar-actersareusedtoclarify,emphasize,anddeepenthemeaning.Compoundcharacterseliminateanypossibil-ityofconfusion,doublemeaning,ormisinterpretation,forwrittenChineseispreciseinexpression.Chineseisapictoriallanguagebasedondrawnsym-bolsratherthanonsound,asyoucanseeonthefol-lowingpages.Wordsareclassifiedaccordingtotheir“radical”orrootandarelocatedundertheircorre-spondingclass.IfoneislookinginaChinesediction-aryforawordrelatedtowater,suchas“juice,”“river,”“stream,”or“rain,”onewillfindallthesewordshavingthecommonsignofwater(shu:)(radical:)pre-cedingtheChinesecharacterandincorporatedintothewrittenformforthatword.Likewise,emotionswillallhavethesignforheart(xn:)containedintheirwrit-tenformtodescribewherethewordisderivedfrom.x PronunciationKeyThepronunciationkeygivenhereisbasedonthemodernChinesephoneticalphabet.Abilityjìskill,tricknéngenergy,abilityAdmirationxiànenvy,jealousymùadmiration,praiseCooperationxiéjointly,threesymbolsofstrengthzhùhelp,combinedeffortxi PronunciationKeyCourtesyletiquette,salute,rite,ceremonymàoappearance,propermannersDiligenceqínsingle-mindedness,industriousnessfènvigorousexertionForesightyunextensivenessxiènsight,visionFortunefúwealth,happiness,goodprospects,andtheabilitytoenjoytheseblessingsHappinessxjubilation,joy,felicity,auspiciousnessxii PronunciationKeyHonorróngflourish,abundanceyùfame,reputation,renownInspirationgencouragement,incitementwdanceKnowledgezhunderstandingshírecognitionLivelihoodshngbirth,growth,procreationhuólive,aliveLongevityshòulonglife,continuityLoveaìemotioncomingfromthecenteroftheheartxiii PronunciationKeyMoralitydaòroad,way,pathdévirtue,ethicsOpportunityjchance,opportunityhuìability,meet,amomentPatiencenàiendurancexntheheartPerseverancernbear,endurance,aknifeabovetheheartProfitlìbenefit,advantagerùnflow,lubrication,smoothnessSinceritychénghonesty,sincerityyìintention,idea,meaningStrategycèaplan,aschemelüèastrategyxvi PronunciationKeySuccesschéngaccomplishment,acquisitiongngmerit,achievement,skillSuperiorityyudominance,preponderanceshìpositionVictoryshèngsuccesslìstrengthWealthcáiabundance,richfùmoneyWisdomzhìwit,wisdomhuìbrightness,perception,intelligencexv Ability AbilityqAbilityinitselfisnothingwhendeniedopportunity.~Anyonecansailashipwhentheseaiscalm.~Judgeapersonnotbyhisabilitytomakemoney,butbyhisabilitytoretainit.~Controlthewindsbytrimmingyoursails.Focusyoureffortsonhoningyourtalents,andyouwillbebetterpreparedtofaceuncertainty.~Limitationsarebutboundariescreatedinsideourminds.~2 AbilityOnlytimeandeffortbringproficiency.~Firstattainskill;creativitycomeslater.~Thewindandthewavesseemalwaystofavorthebestsailors.Thosewithtrueskillknowhowtomakeopportunitiesinanyenvironment.3 AdaptabilityqClumsybirdshaveneedofearlyflight.Thosewithlessabilityshouldworkharderinsteadofmakingexcuses.~Anoldbroomhasitsvalue.Oneshouldvaluepreviouscontactsandavoiddiscardingoldfriendsorpeoplewhohavehelpedyoubefore.~Makethecapfitthehead.Knowwhereandwhentomakeadjustments.~Bettertobendinthewindthantobreak.~4 AdaptabilityWhenthewindisgreat,bowbeforeit;whentherainisheavy,yieldtoit.~Anygarmentwillfitonewhoisnaked.Onemustadapttocircumstances,justaswatermusttaketheshapeofitscontainer.~Ayoungbranchtakesallthebendsonegivesit.Theyoungcanadapttochangewithgreatease.~Fashionisatyrantwhodictatesnever-endingchanges.5 Admiration AdmirationqOnewhosebreathisfeltinheaven.Denotesapersonofgreatconsequenceandimportance.~Thebestformofflatteryistomastertheartoflistening.~Nomatterhowtallthemountain,itcannotblockoutthesun.Acommonsayingofparentswhoidolizetheiroffspringandlikenthechild’sabilitiestothesun.7 AdversityqAdversityisamirrorthatrevealsone’strueself.~Adversitybringsusintodeepwatersnottodrownus,buttocleanseus.~Onewhohasnevermetadversitywillnotdevelopforesight.~Unlessthereisopposingwind,akitecannotrise.Oppositionandadversitygiveusachancetorisetonewheights.~Adversityteachesuslife’smostvaluablelessons.Challengesarethemosttruthfulandstrictestofteachers.~8 AdversityJadeisshapedtobecomeavaluabletool.Allgreatmindsbecomevaluablethroughthelessonsoftimeandexperience.~Thosewhoknowthestormdreadthecalmbeforeit.~Donotgivenutstothosewhohavenoteeth.Givechallengestothosewhohavethecharactertofacethem.~Trialsareblessingsindisguise.9 AngerqToeatthewindandswallowbitterness.Anexpressionreferringtoonewhoharborsresentment,repressesanger,andenduressuffering.~Tohaveone’sliveronfire.Angerissaidtooriginatefromtheliver,sothisexpressionisusedwhenapersonisextremelyangry.~Tostirthefireandburnoneself.Thismeanstobringtroubleupononeselfthroughanger.~Harshwordsandpoorreasoningneversettleanything.~10 AngerDonotcreateinangerwhatyoulackinreason.~Inanger,apersonbecomesadangertohimselfandtoothers.~Donotupsetheavenandearth.Anexpressiontocalmsomeonewhoiscreatingadisturbanceorhavinganoutburstofanger.~Ifyoucontrolyourselfinonemomentofanger,youwillescapeahundreddaysofsorrow.~Angerisaluxuryonecannotafford.~Love,anger,andmoneybetraythemselves.~Itiswisertoventangerthantocontainit.11 BeautyqThatwhichisbeautifulisnotalwaysgood.Butthatwhichisgoodisalwaysbeautiful.~Truebeautyiseternalandcannotbedestroyed.~Onewhoseeksbeautywithapureheartfindswhatheissearchingfor.12 CautionqThecautiousseldomerr.~Anoverturnedcartaheadwarnstheonebehind.Akeenobserveristhemarkofagreatstudent.Learnfromthosewhohavecomebeforeyou.~Don’tjumpoverapitonlytofallintoawell.~Beslowtopromisebutquicktoperform.~Bettertobetooskepticalthantobetootrusting.~Presumptionswillbringnothingbuttrouble.~13 Best-LovedChineseProverbsUncertaintybreedscaution.~Whenfortuneflirts,hersmileiscostly.Becautiouswhenpresentedwithpromisedwindfallsthatrequirelittleinvestment.~Aloanislikericeeaten.Itissoonforgotten.Man’smemorycanbealteredwheninasituationofurgentneed.Makeloanscautiously.~Itischeapertogiveasmallsumthantolendalargeamount.~Awolfmayloseitsfangs,butnotitsinclinations.14 CharacterqThereisnopovertywherethereischaracter,andnowealthorhonorwherecharacterismissing.~Onewhohascharacterhascourage.~Fortunesmayriseandfallandkingdomsmaytumble,butone’scharacterneverchanges.Truechangeinapersonisveryrare.~Wherethereischaracter,uglinessbecomesbeauty;wherethereisnocharacter,beautybecomesugliness.15 CompromiseqOnewhowouldpicktherosesmustbearwiththethorns.Onelearnscompromisebyacceptingthegoodwiththebad.~Compromiseisalwaysatemporaryachievement.Whencompromiseturnsintocommitment,itbecomespermanent.~Onewholearnsthevalueofcompromiseacquireswisdom.16 ConflictqThosewhoareunabletoliveunderthesamesky.Acommonsayingtodenotebitterenemieswhocannotcoexist.~Alongjourneytestsahorse;along-drawn-outconflicttestsafriendship.~Settleasmallconflictquicklyandyouwillkeepahundredothersatbay.17 Cooperation CooperationqStrength+strength+strength=cooperationTheChinesewordfor“cooperation”iscomposedofthesymbolforstrengthrepeatedthreetimes.Aheartradicalisalsopresenttosymbolizethecommonintentionnecessarytoachievesynergy.~Asingletreecannotmakeaforest.Asinglebeamcannotsupportagreathouse.~Refusaltocooperatewithevilisequaltocooperatingwithgood.~Whatisgoodforthehiveisgoodforthebee.~19 Best-LovedChineseProverbsOnesings,allfollow.Anexpressionthatmeanseveryoneisinagreement.~Aclothisnotwovenfromasinglethread.~Abridgeisnotbuiltfromonepieceofwood.~Wecannotclapwithonlyonehand.~Eachpersonequalsagrainofsand,butanarmyislikeablockofgold.20 Courtesy CourtesyqCourtesyisthemarkofacivilizedperson.~Kindnessisthebestqualityofthesoul.~Followthegoodandlearntheirways.~Keepingcompanywiththewickedislikelivinginafishmarket:onebecomesusedtothefoulodor.Peopleadapttotheirenvironment,forbetterorworse.~Kindwordscanbebriefandsimple,yettheyechoinourmemoriesforever.~22 CourtesyItisdifficulttoforgivethosewhostealourtime.~Theinsolentareoftenthewounded.Thecourteouslearnmannersfromthosewhohavenone.23 CrisisqTheChinesewordfor“crisis”isthecharacterfordangerinfrontofthecharacterforopportunity.Thismeansthatacrisisbringsbothdangerandopportunity.~Nosoonerhasonepushedagourdunderwaterthananotherpopsup.Acommonsayingthatdescribeshavingonecrisisafteranother.~Onewhodoesnotburnincensewhenalliswell,butclaspsBuddha’sfeetwhenintrouble.Anexpressionusedtodescribesomeonewhocallsonyouonlywheninacrisis.24 CriticismqCriticismmustbeusedlightly.Agentlewindkindles,whileastrongwindkillsthefire.~Onewhohearsflattery,butnotcriticism,willgoastray.~Theonewhosnorestheloudestwillfallasleepfirst.Onewhocriticizesisoftenoblivioustohisownfaults.~Onewhoblowsfurtofindthescarunderneath.Usedofapersonwholovestofindfaultandwilllookinthemosthiddenplacestouncoverflaws.~Thosewhoneedadvicemostwillacceptitleast.~25 Best-LovedChineseProverbsOnlythewearerknowswheretheshoepinches.Somesituationsarenotopenforcriticism.Therearetimeswhenonlythoseintimatelyinvolvedknowwheretoimprove.~Goodadviceislikebittermedicine.~Openingawoundtotreatitcouldcreateanewinjury.26 DeceptionqBewareofonewithahoneyedtongueandaswordinthebelly.Aknownenemyisdangerous,butafalsefriendisworse.~Don’tbeatiger’sheadwithasnake’stail.Astrangecombinationusedtodescribesomeonewhopresentsanimportantfrontwithnosubstancebehindit.~Donotincreasethesizeofyourfacebybeatingyourcheeksswollen.Aproverbusedtodescribethosewho,tryingtoimpressothers,puffthemselvesup.~27 Best-LovedChineseProverbsIfthetopbeamiscrooked,alltherestwillnotbestraight.Asayingusedtorefertocorruptionorbriberyingovernmentorlargecompanies.~Deceptionisoftennotworththepriceonepays.~Onebecomesdouble-mindedfromsuspicionandguilt.Deceptivepeoplefinditdifficulttobelieveothers.~Apapertigercannotbearclosescrutiny.Thismeansthatthethreatisfrighteningonlyfromadistance;itisineffectivewhenviewedupclose.~Hewhodigsaholeforanothermayfallinhimself.~Donotbeoutwardlyafiercebullbutinwardlyastimidasamouse.~28 DeceptionOnewhoisasdisappointingasanemptydumpling.Thisisusedofsomeonewhomakesemptypromisesorfailstoliveuptoexpectations.~Donotbecaughtwithdyeonthefingers.Awarningtothosewhomightbecaughtstealingortakingabribe.29 DefeatqDefeatteachesuslife’smostvaluablelessons.~Defeatisneverabitterbrewuntiloneagreestoswallowit.Defeatisneverfinalunlessweacceptit.~Tobeunhappyoverwhatonelacksistowastewhatonealreadypossesses.~Avoiddefeatandyouwillavoidsuccess.~Atinyleakwilleventuallysinkamightyship.Defeatisoftentheresultofalackofforesight.~30 DefeatAnerrorthewidthofahaircanleadoneathousandmilesastray.Smallerrorscanleadtodefeat.Focusingonthedetailscankeeponeoncourse.~Adrowningpersonwillnotbetroubledbyalittlerain.31 Diligence DiligenceqDonothopetoreachadestinationwithouteverleavingtheshore.~Diligenceandconstancyofpurposeachievetheimpossible.~Amanofleisurewillnevertastethefruitofsuccess.~Tochopatreequickly,spendtwicethetimesharpeningyourax.33 DiscretionqOnewhoistrippedbythefootcangetupagain.Onewhoistrippedbythetonguemaynot.~Thinkbeforeyouspeak,anddonotspeakallthatyouthink.~Masteringdiscretionisgreaterthanemployingeloquence.Knowingwhentospeakismoreimportantthanbeinganeloquentspeaker.~Discretionismorepreciousthangreatlearning.~Bejusttoall,buttrustnotall.~34 DiscretionFortheloveofmoney,truthfallssilent.Silenceaswellasdiscretioncanbebought.~Silencecondemnsmoreeffectivelythanloudaccusationsdo.~Ifthearmisbroken,hideitinthesleeve.Oneshouldnotdisplaydirtylinensinpublic.~Torisehigh,concealambition.~Nothingisasheavyasasecret.35 Falsehood/GossipqEventhepowerfuloxhasnodefenseagainstflies.~Anidlestorycanquicklybecomefactinthemouthsofhundreds.~Gooddeedsneverleavehome;badonesechoforathousandmiles.Unfortunately,ourworstmomentsgarnerthemostdiscussion.~Whenthetongueslips,itspeaksthetruth.~Onewhomountsatigercannevergetoff.Onceyouenterpolitics,itisdifficulttoexit.~36 Falsehood/GossipThelargerone’sroof,themoresnowitwillcollect.Oneofthepricesofprosperityisthedifficultjobofmanagingone’sreputation.~Truewordsmaynotbepleasant;pleasantwordsmaynotbetrue.Complimentsareeasiertogivethancriticism—ponderboth.~Hearingaboutsomethingonehundredtimesisnotworthseeingitonce.~Donotjudgemattersfromasingleoccurrence.~Atongueistheonlyinstrumentthatgrowssharperwithconstantuse.~Twohandsshouldbetwiceasbusyasonetongue.~37 Best-LovedChineseProverbsShovelthesnowonlyfromyourowndoorstep.Donotmindthefrostformingonyourneighbor’sroof.~Donotlayacorpseatsomeoneelse’sdoor.Donotdragothersintotroublesthatdonotconcernthem.~Truthmusttakethestraightroad,whileliestravelonthewind.38 Family/HomeqThestateofthenationisreflectedinthehome.Ifeachhomeisstrong,sowillthecountrybe.~Onceoneisateacher,onebecomesaparentforlife.TheChinesebelievethattheresponsibilityofateacheristhesameasthatofaparent.~Governafamilyasyouwouldfryasmallfish:very,verycarefully.~Whereveronefindscomfortcanbecalledhome.~39 Best-LovedChineseProverbsThelambkneelstosuckle.Afavoriteexpressiondescribingfilialpiety,gratitude,andrespectforone’sparents.~Apearlfromanoldoyster.Asayingaboutapreciousoffspringborntosomeonewhoisalmostpastchildbearingage.~Ifoneisinharmonywithhisfamily,hehasfoundthesecretofsuccess.~Betterahundredfoesoutsidethehomethanoneenemywithin.~Onegenerationplantsthetreesforthenextgenerationtoenjoytheshade.40 FateqMancancureamultitudeofillnesses,butnotfate.~Whatisfatedtobeyourswillalwaysreturntoyou.~Oftenonefindsdestinyjustwhereonehidestoavoidit.~Extremeswillmeet.Everythingwillhaveabeginningandanend.~41 Best-LovedChineseProverbsFateisinfluencedbygooddeeds.Itissaidthatthegooddeedsofonegenerationcaninfluencethefateofthenext.IfoneinneedishelpedbyagoodSamaritan,anothermayobserve,“Yourparentsmusthavebeenverykindtootherstohavepavedyourpathsosmooth.”~Abridgenevercrossedislikealifeneverlived.~Fateleadsthosewhoarewillingbutmustpushthosewhoarenot.~Aperson’scharacterwilldeterminehisdestiny.42 FireqFiredoesnotproducefire.Eventuallyitreducesalltoashes.Oneshouldnotoverworkorburdenhimself.~Agreatfiremayfollowatinyspark.Asimpleideacanmoveapeople.~Donotsetfiretotheforesttodriveoutthewolves.Sometimesdrasticmeasures,althougheffective,arenotpractical.43 Foresight ForesightqOnewhorefusestolookaheadwillremainbehind.~Weavinganetisbetterthanprayingforfishattheedgeofthewater.~Bendonecubit,makeeightcubitsstraight.Correctingaproblemearlypreventsmoredowntheroad.~Donotbuildwhatispermanentuponthesand.Besuretohaveafirmfoundationbeforewastingtime,effort,andmoneyinanyendeavor.~45 Best-LovedChineseProverbsFirstresolvewhatmustbedone;solutionswillthenbecomeevident.~Onemustcutbeforefiling,carvebeforepolishing.~Remembertodigthewelllongbeforeyougetthirsty.~Ifonetakesnothoughtaboutwhatisdistant,hewillfindsorrownearathand.~Donothastentorejoiceatsomeone’sdepartureuntilyouseehisreplacement.~Toavoidmisunderstanding,startsmall.Communicateearlyandoftenwhenworkingonacomplicatedproject.46 Fortune FortuneqWhatfirstappearsasacalamitymaylaterbringgoodfortune.Fortunemaysurpriseyou—donotbequicktoquitadifficultsituation.~Thetidemustreachitslowestbeforeitturns.~Looktoyourenemyforachancetosucceed.Observeyouropponentandyouwillfindnewwaystosucceed.~Everydaycannotbeafeastoflanterns.Everyonewillknowbothjoyandsorrow.~48 FortuneFortunecomesinmanydisguises.~Noonestaysatopthewheeloffortuneallthetime.Becausethewheeloffortunebringsupsanddownstoeveryoneinlife,thehopeisthatitwillslowforyoutoenjoythegoodtimesandspinquicklyduringthechallenges.~Earthistothedeadwhatgoldistotheliving.Thelivinganddeadhavedifferentneeds.Thissayingalludestoareversaloffortune.~Hewhohasnocoinhasnopower.~Tohavewealthenoughtohaveyourmillrunbyaghost.Moneycanbuyalmostanything.~Greatfortunesneedluck;smallonesdependondiligence.~49 Best-LovedChineseProverbsFortunehasafickleheartandashortmemory.~Beasfortunateasonewhorestsonhighpillows.Awishforsomeonetofeelasfortunateasonewholivesanelevatedlifeofeaseandluxurywithoutanyworries.~Whenluckvisitsyou,everyonewillknowwhereyoulive.50 Frugality/ProsperityqFrugalityisthemotherofprosperity.~Economizenoworsufferwantlater.~Befrugalinprosperity,fearnotinadversity.Storeandsaveforthatrainyday.~Prosperitybringsusfriends;adversitydrivesthemaway.~Onemustbejustbeforeoneisgenerous.~Thewisemakegooduseofprosperity.~51 Best-LovedChineseProverbsThehandthatgivesisgreaterthanthehandthattakes.Amiseriscondemnedtobeforeverinwant.~Hungerisagreatteacher.~Frugalitymakesoneindependent.52 FutilityqWhentheitchisinsidetheboot,scratchingoutsideprovideslittleconsolation.Thisproverbexpressesthefutilityofnotbeingabletodealdirectlywithaproblem.~Don’ttrytoscoopthemoonfromthebottomofthesea.Dealwithproblemsdirectly,ratherthanfromafar.~53 Best-LovedChineseProverbsABuddhamadeofmudcrossingarivercannotprotecthimself.TheBuddhasymbolizesonewhoispowerful,butinavulnerablesituationheispowerlesstotakecareofhimself.Therefore,itispointlesstoexpecttheBuddhatoassistusundersuchconditions.~Donotdrawasnakeandaddfeettoit.Thisexpressionisusedtodescribethepointatwhichnoimprovementsareneeded.~Onedoesnotlightacandletochallengethesun.~Toseeanother’sdustbutbeunabletoovertakehim.Knowwhenyouhavebeenbested.~Whereverthereisiron,thereisalsorust.54 GreedqWaterquenchesthirstandfoodsatesourhunger,butnoamountofgoldwillsatisfygreed.~Donotlearntodesirewhatyoudonotdeserve.~Donotgathertogetherlikeants.Antsarelikenedtogreedythievesandsignifythosewhobenefitfromthemiseryofothers.~Moneycanturnalowlywormintoamightydragon.~55 Best-LovedChineseProverbsDonothaveeyesthatarebiggerthanyourstomach.Thisisacommonsayingfromparentstochildren,admonishingthosewhotakemorefoodthantheycaneat.~Ourneedsarefew,butourwantsincreasewithourpossessions.Greedfeedsuponitself.~Greedcomesintoone’shearttostealpeaceofmind.~Onewhomarriesformoneymusteventuallyearnit.~Thereisnogreatercalamitythanbeingconsumedbygreed.~Lustandgreedhavenolimit.~56 GreedFatfriesandburnsitself.Thissayingisusedtodescribegreedyandpowerfulpeoplewhoareusuallytheinstrumentsoftheirowndestruction.~Onewhodoesnotreceivejustwageswillseektopayhimself.~Bethemasterofyourmoney,notitsslave.~Tobuyaquarrel,lendmoneytoafriend.57 Happiness HappinessqAhappypersonisonenottrappedbyfameandfortune.~Withhappinesscomeswisdomintotheheart.~Itiswealthenoughtolearnthemeaningofcontentment.Happyheartsarerichinsomanyways.~Happinessiswhenwefinallybecomewhatwehavealwayswishedtobe.~Tolivewellisbetterthantoberich.59 Harmony/ContentmentqSolitudeisenjoyedonlywhenoneisatpeacewithoneself.Onewhohasaguiltyconsciencefindsithardtoenjoyhisowncompany.~Whenyoudrinkofthespringbethankfulforthesource.Knowwhereyourblessingscomefromanddonotforgettogivethankstothosewhohelpedyou.~Thosewhoseekharmonyknowhowtofindit.~Laughteristhemusicofone’ssoul.Oneisneverreallypoorifhecanaffordtolaugh.~60 Harmony/ContentmentWeearnalivingbywhatwedo,butwemakealifebywhatwegive.~Itisbettertolikewhatyouhavethantohavewhatyoulike.~Hewholovesmusiclearnstosoothehisownsorrows.61 HeartqTousewithasmallheart.Thissayingmeanstousesomethingwithcautionorhandlewithextremecare.~Tohaveathinheart.Thisisusedtodescribeaverycautiousperson—aperfectionist.~Totreatotherswithathickheart.Thisreferstosomeonewhoiscarelessorclumsy.~Tocarefortheheart.Thismeanstoempathizewithothers.~62 HeartDonotwasteyourheart.Towasteyourheartistowasteyourtime.~Tohaveablackheart.AstrongstatementinChineseculture;referstoanevilperson.~Sorrowingheartsarealwaysunsettled.~Forgivenessisanactoftheheart.“Forgiveness”iswritteninChinesewiththewordfor“act”or“compliance”abovethesymbolfortheheart.~Putyourheartatrest.Calmyourselfandquietyourworries.~Thereisnocureforhiddengrief.Concealyoursorrowandyouwillfindnoremedy.~63 Best-LovedChineseProverbsWishesofmindandheartareashardtocontrolasahorseandanape.Thismeansthatone’smentalandemotionalwishesareinconflictandpullinginseparatedirections.~Acalmheartadjuststomanychanges.~Toaccommodateallthings,enlargeyourheart.Agenerousheartknowsnobounds.~Gratitudeisanactofagoodheart.~Musiccheerstheheartandwarmsthedisposition.~Akindperson’smouthisfoundintheheart.Acompassionatepersonwillspeakthroughthoughtfulactsratherthanjustsayingtherightthingstoimpressothers.~Goodheart,goodreward.Ajusthearthasitsownrewards.~64 HeartFlowersareknownbythefruittheybear.Onewhofollowsnaturewillneverlosehisway.~Theworstprisonisonemadeoftheheart.Onewhocannotorwillnotpermitoneselftoloveisone’sownjailer.~Wecanfindnowealthaboveahealthybodyandahappyheart.65 Honor HonorqAnobleancestrycannotguaranteeanoblecharacter.~Whenaleoparddies,heleaveshiscoat.Whenamandies,heleaveshisname.Yourlegacywillliveforever.~Anhonorablepersonisamajorityofone.~Aclearconscienceisthegreatestarmor.~Virtuetravelsuphill,vicetravelsdownhill.~Lifeandshameareneverequaltodeathandglory.~67 Best-LovedChineseProverbsHewhomustpursueglorymaysacrificehonor.~Shedthebones,changetheface.Toberebornandstartanew.~Tolosetheglowofone’sface.Tosuddenlyloseone’sreputationorcredibility.~Amanmustdespisehimselfbeforeotherswill.~Greateloquencecannotchangewrongintoright.68 HorsesqBeonahorsewhenyougoinsearchofabetterone.Anadmonitionthatoneshouldbecautiouswhentradingupinlife.Itisalwayseasiertoreplacesomethingnewwhileyoustillhavetheoldasabackup.~Hewantstobuythebesthorse:onethatdoesnoteatgrass.Thisproverbdescribessomeonewhoistoocalculating,unrealistic,andneversatisfied.Thispersonwantssomethingfornothingorwishesforsomethingthatdoesnotexist,likeahorsethatdoesnoteatgrass.~Theoldhorsewillknowtheway.~69 Best-LovedChineseProverbsAcleverhorseneedsonlyonetouchofthewhip.Someonewhoisintelligentandastuteneedsonlyonelittlehinttounderstandthesituation.~Reininthehorseattheedgeofthecliff.Pulloneselfbackatthelastmomentandstopbeforeplungingovertheprecipice.~Donotdoctoradeadhorseasifitwerealive.70 HumilityqMoredemandsononeselfandfewdemandsonotherswillkeepresentmentatbay.~Thesuperiormandoesnotthinkhimselfso.Hishumilityiswhatsetshimapart.~It’ssomethingnotworthhangingontheteeth.Apoliteresponsethatreflectshumilitywhensomeonethanksyouforafavor.Thisproverbusesexaggerationtominimizetheimportanceoftheservicebysayingthatitwassoinconsequentialthatitcouldnotevenpassbetweentheteeth.~71 Best-LovedChineseProverbsHewhospeakswithoutmodestywillnotkeephispromises.~Littlepersonstrytobeperfect,whilegreatonesdonotknowtheyaregreat.~Aburnttonguebecomesshyofhotsoup.Mistakesmakeonetimid.72 IndecisionqThewisemaketheirowndecisions.Theignorantfollowpublicopinion.~Indecisivenessbreedsconfusion.~Donothaveeachfootonadifferentboat.Chooseadirectionanddonotlookback.~Onewhoseheartisnotcontentcannotmakegooddecisions.~Reticencebuildsafortressinthemind.Onewhoisunsureorfearfulputsupmentalbarriers.~73 Best-LovedChineseProverbsTodrawthebowbutnotreleasethearrow.Tomakethreatswithoutfollowingthroughwithpositiveactionoradecision.~Indecisionhindersluckandfortune.74 Inspiration InspirationqCowardshavedreams;bravemenhavevisions.~One’smeritsshouldnotbeahindrancetoone’sprogress.~Reviewpastlessonstodiscoveranew.Oldlessonsreadwithanewperspectivecanbringaboutnewinterpretations.~Donotskimthesurfacelikethedragonflykissesthewater.Thedragonflymerelyglidesoverapond.Searchfordeepmeaning.~76 InspirationThedarkerthenight,thebrighterthestars.~Learningislikethehorizon:thereisnolimit.~Withexperience,wewillgainfullknowledge.Inspirationwillfollow.~Tofeelthecatchofthelock.Thisexpressionisusedtodescribeoneiswhoabletocomprehendthekeytothesituation,thecruxofthematter,orthemostimportantpointinadiscussion.~Agoalwithoutadeadlineisonlyawish.Adreamwithadeadlinebecomesagoal.~Ideasenlargethemindandneverallowittogobacktoitsoriginaldimension.77 Knowledge KnowledgeqByfillingone’sheadinsteadofone’spocket,onecannotberobbed.Aneducationcanneverbestolen.~Commonsensegoesfurtherthanmuchlearning.~Despiselearningandmakeeveryonepayforyourignorance.Ignoranceorilliteracyisanexpensethatsocietyasawholemustbear.~79 Best-LovedChineseProverbsIfyouareplanningforayear,plantrice.Ifyouareplanningforadecade,planttrees.Ifyouareplanningforalifetime,educatepeople.~Onewhodoesnotliketoreadisequaltoonewhocannotread.~Anightwithoutmoonorstarsislikeanignorantmind.~Morepowerfulthananyarmyisanideawhosetimehasarrived.~Afrequentpathwillbecomearoad.~Wheatstalksheavywithgrainlearnhowtobowtheirheads.Maturedstalkssymbolizelearnedandhumblepersonswhoacknowledgethattheydonotknoweverything,whileempty-headedyoungstalkswithoutgrainstanduprightintheirarroganceandignorance.~80 KnowledgeOnewhoknowsothersisconsideredclever,butonewhoknowshimselfisconsideredenlightened.~Wegainmoreknowledgefromfailuresthanfromsuccess.~Advicegivenattherighttimeisbetterthangoldgivenatthewrongtime.~Onewhohastraveledtheroadknowswheretheholesaredeep.~Curiosityalwaysfindsknowledge.~Tomakesteelpure,onemustrefineahundredtimes.Onlythroughconsistentpracticecanonebecomeamaster.~Ittakesahundredyearstotrainaperson.Atrainedpersonisveryvaluable.Althoughlearningneverstops,apersonwhohasmoreexperienceisaheadofothers.81 LeadershipqAgreatgeneralneednotblowhisowntrumpet.~Onewhoisfittositfacingthesouth.Onlyarulerorleaderwasconsideredworthyenoughtositfacingsouth,whichisthemostfavorabledirection.~Onelooksupataworthypersonasonelooksuptoamountain.~Donotintimidate.Empower.~82 LeadershipIfthereisastronggeneraltherewillbenoweaksoldiers.Agoodleaderwillknowhowtoassess,train,andusepeopletotheirfullpotential.~Onewhoisabletopullastrandofsilkfromatangledmass.Apersonwhoisabletorestoreordertoacomplicatedmess.~Onewhoiswiseinstrategycarriesanarmyinhismind.~Withoutoars,aboatdrifts.~Oneshouldnotabuseauthority.Togobeyondisaswrongastofallshort.~Whentheemperormakesamistake,allthepeoplesuffer.~83 Best-LovedChineseProverbsItdoesnotmatterifthecatisblackorwhite,solongasitcatchesmice.Thissaying—meaningthattheendjustifiesthemeans—isattributedtoDengXiaoping,whousedittorespondtocriticismofhisleadership.~Maintainsoldiersathousanddays,usethemforthemoment.Greatleadershipisasmuchaboutpreparationasitisaboutaction.Tobeabletoactswiftly,onemustplanwellinadvance.~Onewhohasconqueredhimselfisworthyofleadership.~“Try”isawordofcourage,but“can”isawordofpower.84 Livelihood LivelihoodqDonotbecomeamonkoranunsolateinlife.Aproverbthatdissuadespeoplefromchangingtheirprofessionsordoingthingsthattheyhavenotbeentrainedfor.~Donotbeafrogsittingatthebottomofawell.Donotlimityourselftoanarrowperspective.~Tobeasuncomfortableassittingonarugofneedles.Tobeinanunbearablesituation,filledwithanxiety.~86 LivelihoodHavingtowatchtheeyebrowsandcountenanceofanother.Thismeansthatoneisinaservilepositionandmustwaituponanotherorbeatthemercyofasuperior.~Bettertolearnonethingwellthantoknowtensuperficially.~Toearnaliving,amanmustdependonhisenvironment.~Onewhomaybeeasytoserveyetdifficulttoplease.Thisdescribesapersonwhoisalwaysunhappybutneverforthright,andonewhoisdifficulttoworkfor.~87 Best-LovedChineseProverbsExitthedoor,checktheweather;enterthedoor,checktheface.Thisisanoldsayingthatstatesthatbeforeleavinghome,youshouldlookoutsidetochecktheweather.Butwhenyoureturnhome,toknowthestateofthehouseyoumustlookinsideattheoccupant’sfacetoseeifheorsheisinahappyorunhappymood.88 Longevity LongevityqLivehealthy!Livehappy!Livelong!~Mayyouliveaslongasthesouthernmountainandenjoyhappinessasbountifulastheeasternsea.ThetraditionalChinesewishforlongevityisalwayscombinedwithhappinessbecausealonglifewithouthappinessisaburden.~Theleavesofthetreearemany,buttherootisone.Whentherootisfirmthebranchesflourish.Agoodfoundationguaranteessuccessandlongevity.~90 LongevityWriteinthesandthebadthingsdonetoyou.Carveinstonethegoodthingsyouwanttoremember.~Eventheweakestinklastslongerthanthestrongestmemory.~Theyoungandtheboldfavorspeed,whiletheoldandtheexperiencedmoveslowly.Theyoungoftenlackthepatienceandcareoftheoldandwise.~Goodhealthisoneblessingthatcannotbebought.91 Love LoveqLoveasrareastwinlotusesonasinglestalk.Asymbolicanalogyofahappyanddevotedcouple.~Acouplewhospendsonehappydaytogetherisblessedwithahundreddaysofaffection.~Toloveistoremember.Onewhoisnotforgottenisnotdead.~Greatlovemakesuscapableofgreatcourage.~Nojourneyiseverlongwithgoodcompany.~93 Best-LovedChineseProverbsLoveshowsaffectionasnaturallyasasunflowerfacesthesun.~Loveforapersonmustextendtothecrowsonhisroof.One’sloveforothersmustincludeacceptanceoftheirfaultsandimperfections.~Lovedoesnotobservethepassingoftime.~Growtogetherwithgrayhair.Acommonwishforcouplestogrowoldtogetherinloveandrespect.~Itisbettertoloseawagerthantoloseagoodfriend.~Everyonecanhearyoursong,butonlythosewholoveyouwillhearyoursigh.~94 LoveLovewillcometogetheroverasilverriveronabridgeofmagpies.InChina,July7isadaytocelebratelove.Onthisday,theChinesecelebratethefamouslovestoryofafarmboywhofellinlovewithabeautifulweaverfromheaven.Thedistancemeantthattheycouldmeetonlyonceayear.Everyyear,helpfulmagpiesbuiltapathfortheloverstotravelandmeet.Nomatterhowimpossible,truelovealwaysfindsaway.95 MisfortuneqMisfortuneconquerstimidsouls,whilegreatmindssubduesetbacks.~Thepoorarethosewithouttalents;theweakarethosewithoutaspirations.~Thetilesarebrokenandtheiceismelted.Asayingdenotingthatfameisdeadandthegloryisgone.~Tobebornunderthepost-horsestar.Referstosomeonewhohasthemisfortuneofbeingborntoahardworkinglifelikethebusypost-horsethatisalwaysontheroad.~96 MisfortuneBlessingscomebutoneatatime,butmisfortunevisitsinmultiples.~Tositonacoldbench;tohaveacoldstove.Tobeinajoborpositionwithoutprospects.~Onedoesnotdrinkpoisontoquenchathirst.Tobedestructiveandimpracticalduringdifficulttimes—equaltojumpingfromthefryingpanintothefire.~Inthelandofhope,thereisnowinter.~Illnesscanemptyanypurse.97 ModerationqTolivelongandwell,employmoderation.~Ifoneeatsless,onewilltastemore.Asmallbitesavoredwillproducemoreenjoyment.~Toextendyourlifebyayear,takeonefewerbiteeachmeal.~Pleasurecannotbepursuedtoitslimit,forpleasurecouldalsobeafountainofsorrow.~Forpeacetoprevail,alltruthcannotbeexpressedallthetime.98 Morality MoralityqItisbettertobecompletelyignorantthantobeilltaught.~Badhabitsaredifficulttocorrect.Onecannotstraightenacrookedbranch.~Onewhoisaslavetohissensescannotreinhiswillintosubmission.~100 MoralitySendingcharcoalinthesnowisbetterthanaddingflowerstoabrocade.Thismeansthatfriendswhoflatteruswhenwearedoingwellareaddingflowerstoanalreadyintricateandwell-decoratedfabric.Truefriendswillbring“charcoalinthesnow,”orgiveusassistanceinourhourofneed.~Virtueneverlivesalone.Italwaysfindsgoodcompany.101 NecessityqExperienceisacombthatwereceivejustwhenwearegoingbald.Thisexpressionisusedwhenwearemostimpatientbecauseitfeelsasifthesolutionalwayscomesattheverylastmoment.~Themosttimidsoulismadeboldbynecessity.~Necessitybringsstrengthandperseverance.~Necessityforcesustomakepoorbargains.~Judgenotonewhotriesandfails,butonewhofailstotry.102 NeighborsqAnyonecanbuyagoodhouse,butgoodneighborsarepriceless.~Afallentreewillleanonitsneighbor.~Bettergoodneighborsthatarenearthanrelativesfaraway.~Alittlehelpisworthmorethanaloadofsympathy.103 NepotismqIfafamilylivesinharmony,allaffairswillprosper.~Yourtenfingerswillalwayscurlinward.Acommonreferencetonepotism:itisasnaturalasone’sfingersbendingtowardthepalm.~Theyareallbadgersfromthesamemound.Thisreferstoaclanorgroupofpeoplewhoallthinkandmayevenlookalike.Theytendtoviewoutsiderswithsuspicionbecausetheyarenotfromthesamefamily.104 ObstinacyqTheobstinatepersondoesnotpossessopinions:theypossesshim.~Ivymustclingtothewall;porridgewillsticktothepot.~Whenacentipedediesonthewall,itdoesnotfalldown.Thisreferstolawsthatarenolongeruseful,institutionsthathaveoutlivedtheirneed,orstubbornbureaucratswhoclingtopower.~105 Best-LovedChineseProverbsDonotlookatotherswiththeeyesofadog.Thisproverb,oftenusedtochidethosewhotalkdowntopeople,shouldbeusedwithcaution.Itisaninsulttocomparesomeonetoadog,andoneshouldnotmakerudecommentstoapersonoflowrank.106 Opportunity OpportunityqOnewhogainsmasterywillcreatehisownopportunities.~Anoptimistseesanopportunityineverycalamity;apessimistseesacalamityineveryopportunity.~Lookuponadversityasopportunityindisguise.~Lifecannevergivesecurity;itcanonlypromiseopportunity.~Opportunityislikecatchingthesun’srays.108 Patience PatienceqPatienceisatreewithbitterrootsthatbearssweetfruit.~Patienceiswisdominwaiting.~Donotpulltheseedlingstohelpthemgrowfaster.Thisadvisespatienceandwarnsagainstunnecessarymeddling.~Ordermovesslowly,butsurely;disorderisalwaysinahurry.~Inspirationcomesfrompatienceandperspiration.~110 PatienceAbirdcannotflyuntilitsfeathersarefullygrown.Havepatience.Donotattempttodosomethinguntilyouareready.~Foolswhoareinahurrydrinkwithchopsticks.Impatiencecanbringillogicaldecisions.~Inastrugglebetweenstrengthandpatience,patiencewillwin.~Thebestadviceisoftenfoundonourpillows.~Patienceisavirtueonemustcarrywhentraveling.111 Peace/GoodWishesqOnewhoishappiestfindspeaceandharmonyathome.~Theseasonswillreturn;allthingsarerenewed.Difficultieswillpassandallwillbewellagain.~Peacecomesonlywhenreasonrules.~Therearemanypathstothetopofthemountain.Oncethere,youwillfindthattheviewisthesame.~Aguiltyconscienceistheenemywithin.~Hewhoknowsthetruthcandiecontent.~112 Peace/GoodWishesLawsareuselesswhenmenarepureandareunenforceablewhenmenarecorrupt.~Mayahappystaralwayslightyourpath.~Mayitalwaysbespringwithyou.InChina,springisatimeofjoyandcelebration.~Akindwordisworthacoldwinter.Thegiftofsupportivecommentscanbeagreatcomfortthroughdifficulttimes.~Theindividualistheonlyonewhocanrescuehisownspirit.113 Perseverance PerseveranceqEventhetallesttowerstartedfromtheground.~Gemsarepolishedbyrubbing,justasmenaremadebrilliantbytrials.~Perseveranceisthewaterthatwearsawaythestone.~Experienceisnotakindteacher,butitisalwaysatruthfulone.~115 Best-LovedChineseProverbsEitherdonotbeginor,havingbegun,donotgiveup.ThisisastrongstatementfortheChinese.Itistheequivalentofsayingthatapersonisdeterminedtotakesomethingtocompletion.~Toabandonsomethinghalfwayistofailcompletely.~Victorybelongstothemostpersevering.~Bettertolightacandlethantocursethedarkness.~Mancanliveonhope.Nootheranimalcan.~Tomoveabigmountain,beginbyremovingthesmallstones.116 PovertyqPovertywithoutcomplaintishard,justaswealthwitharroganceiseasy.~Wealthandobscuritycannotequalpovertyandfame.~Povertyteachesvalue;greedbreedsdiscontent.~Thosewhothirstwilldrinkinsilence.Peoplewhohavetastedpovertywillprotecttheirlivelihood.~Onewhoisdiscontentisalreadypoor.~117 Best-LovedChineseProverbsOnewhodoesnotknowwhenhehasenoughispoorindeed.~Toburnoneday’sgatheringoffirewoodonthesameday.Thismeanstolivefromhandtomouthandtohavenothingleftover.~Thecontentedman,thoughpoor,ishappy.Thediscontentedman,thoughrich,issad.~Onewhocanpromisenothingisapoorperson.Goodcharacterisasourceofwealth.Onewhocannotbetrustedisnotrich.118 PrejudiceqIfthewindblowsfromonedirection,atreewillgrowinclined.Atwistedorbenttreeisasymbolofprejudicebecauseitreceiveswindfromonlyoneside,justlikeapersonwhosubscribestoasinglepointofviewandisunabletounderstandthepositionofothers.~Prejudicespringsfromignorance.~Whatachildlearnsinthecradlehewilltakewithhimtothegrave.~Achildwillbehaveashehasbeentaught.Toleranceisoneofthefirstlessonstobelearned.119 PrideqPrideisoftenusedtocoveraweakness.~Donothaveyoureyesgrowingonyourforehead.Usedtorefertopeoplewhoareproudandoftenpretendnottoseeothersbecausetheythinktheseothersarebeneaththem.~One’sshadowgrowslargerthanlifewhenadmiredbythelightofthemoon.Aproverbthatmakesfunofapersonwhohasaninflatedimageofhimself.~Prideandprejudicearebrothers.120 Profit ProfitqToloseasheepbutgainanox.Tolosesomethingoflesservalueandgainsomethingofgreatervalue.~Toloseahalberdbutgainalance.Toloseandgainsomethingofequalvalue.~Profitisalwaysdirectlyrelatedtorisk.~Greatprofitmaycomefromhumblecircumstances.~Donotprofitfromthemisfortuneofothers.~122 ProfitIftherearenoclouds,therewillbenorain.Successdoesnotcomewithouthardship.~Onemustloseawormtocatchafish.123 ResponsibilityqResponsibilityisthepriceofleadership.~Foodandfoddermustprecedetroopsandhorses.Thismeansthatontopofresponsibility,onemustdothingsintheproperorder.Thisistheequivalentofputtingthehorsebeforethecart.~Oneservantcannotservetwomasters.Leadershipmustcomefromoneperson.Anemployeecannotreporttotwobossesandhaveacleardirection.~Promisesofferedinastormareforgotteninthecalm.~124 ResponsibilityItisoftenthebusiestpersonwhohastimetospare.~Onewhopromisestoomuchwillfinditdifficulttomakegoodhiswords.~Thereisnoonetosweepacommonhall.Whenresponsibilitiesarenotclear,theworkwillgoundone.125 Sincerity SincerityqEloquenceprovidespersuasion,buttruthbringssincerity.~Totellonlyhalfthetruthistogivelifetoanewlie.~Thethoughtfulneverneedwordstoshowsincerity.~Betteraredfacethanablackheart.Honestpersonsblushwhenembarrassed,whileruthlessliarsdon’t.Onewhohasthebestofintentionswillblush.TobedescribedasonewhohasablackheartisastrongstatementinChineseculture.Ablackhearthasacoreofevil.~Noonehasyetfoundanysubstituteforhonesty.127 Strategy StrategyqInwar,therecanneverbetoomuchdeception.~Beatthegrasstofrightenthesnakes.Toflushouttheenemyortodriveoutthecompetition.~Donotmakearuleonlytofallfoulofit.Thismeanstobetrappedbyone’sowndevice.~Everyportalisanentryaswellasanexit.~Sitatopthemountainandwatchthetigersfight.Thissayingreferstoonewhowatchestwoopponentscontendwitheachother,hopingthatbothwillbeeliminated.~129 Best-LovedChineseProverbsKnowyourlimitations:seekshelterwhileyoucan.~Toconqueronehundredtimesoutofonehundred,studyyourselfandyouropponentwell.Evaluatethestrengthsandweaknessofyourselfandyourcompetitor.Onlythencanyouchoosetherightstrategy.~Afishnotcaughtbyahookmaybecaughtbyanet.Thecreativestrategistseeksoutalternatives.~Waitlong,strikefast!Astrategythatadvocatesgreatpatiencecombinedwithquickdecisiveness.~Donothittheflythatlandsonthetiger’shead.Warnsagainsthavinggoodintentionsbutbadtiming.~130 StrategyWheneverthewaterrises,theboatwillrise,too.ThisiscommonlyusedinChinesepolitics.Itdescribespeoplewhojointherightpartyorassociatethemselveswithpowerfulpoliticianssothattheycanrideontheircoattails.~Thefoolishwanderwhilethewisetravel.Alwaysactwiththedestinationinmind.~Donotremainintheopenwhentheenemyisconcealed.~Ifthereisawavetheremustbeawind.Thismeanstounderstandtheconsequencesofone’saction—causeandeffect.~131 Best-LovedChineseProverbsThreesimpleshoemakersequalonebrilliantstrategist.Afamoussayingattributedtotheearlythird-centurystrategistandstatesmanZhugeLiang,comparingthecombinedintelligenceofthreeordinarypeopletothatofoneofthegreatestChinesegeneralsandstrategists.Thismeansthatoneshouldcombineallresourcesnomatterhowinsignificanttheymayappear.~Toleapfar,takealongrun.~Borrowtheeastwind!Thisisareferencetoanimportantbattleinthewarclassic“RomanceoftheThreeKingdoms.”Ageneralhadonlyonechancetostormafortressandallhisshipshadtodependontheeastwindtomakethesurpriseattacksuccessful.~Useeverystepasyourbase.Acautiousstrategythatreliesonadvancementthroughsmallachievements.~132 StrategyIfonemanguardsanarrowpass,tenthousandcannotgetthrough.Astrategicallyplacedbarriercanachievetheimpossible.~Ifyouwanttobuyanything,askthreemerchants.ThisisaChinesebusinessprinciplethatonemustalwayscompareoffers.Thispracticepreventsabusinessfrombecomingvulnerabletoonesupplier.~Ofthethirty-sixstratagems,“runningaway”isthebestone.The“Thirty-sixStratagems”isarenownedChinesetreatiseontheartofwar.Itisoftensaidthatthelastone,whichrecommendsrunningaway,isprobablythewisestofthemall.~Whenoneisprepared,difficultiesdonotcome.Itisacommonperceptionthatwhenoneisreadyforallcontingencies,theyseldomarise.~133 Best-LovedChineseProverbsDonotliftarockonlytodropitonyourownfoot.Donotmakechangesjustforthesakeofchange.Thingscouldgetworse.~Monkeysmustdisperseoncetheirtreefalls.Togetridofagroupofpeople,removetheircommonbondorleaderandtheywilldisperse.~Toforcetheuntrainedintobattleistowasteyourtroops.AConfuciansayingthatadvisesagainstbeingunpreparedorsquanderingone’sresources.~Killthechickentofrightenthemonkey.Sacrificeorpunishthelessimportantasawarningormessagetotherealculprit.~Occupythehighergroundtoattaindominance.Astrongvantagepointincombathasthemostpowerbecauseitoffersthemostinformation.~134 StrategyThebesttacticiansareneverimpulsive;thebestleadersareneverarrogant.~Spectatorsoftenhaveabetterviewthantheprotagonistsdo.Peoplewhoaretooclosetotheirproblemsmaynotseethewholepictureasimpartialobserversdo.~Donotattempttofixwithasinglebite.Ausualretorttosomeonewhogivesasimplisticsolutiontoacomplexproblemwithoutunderstandingalltheimplications.~Whenthesnipeandtheclamfight,thefishermanbenefits.Afamousstorytellsofabirdwhosebillwascaughtinapinchingclam.Theobservingfishermansawthescuffleandwasabletocatchboth.Thisteachesthelessonthatanobservercangainfromthequarrelingofothers.135 Success SuccessqTruesuccesscomesfromwithin.Donothopetostrengthentheweakbyweakeningthestrong.~Ingenuitylightsthepathtosuccess.~Toclimbaladderyoumuststartatthebottom.~Successasunstoppableasthepaththroughsplitbamboo.Althoughbambooisstrong,onceithasbeensplit,thebreakwillbecomplete.Thisproverbreferstoawinningstreakthatcannotbestopped.~137 Best-LovedChineseProverbsRedsointensethatitbecomespurple.Thisreferstoalife-changingmomentinone’scareerorreputation.Inaninstant,apersoncangofromanunknowntoastar.~Dresswellandyouwillopenalldoors.138 Superiority SuperiorityqTherearethreemarksofasuperiorperson:beingvirtuous,heisfreefromanxiety;beingwise,heisfreefromperplexity;beingbrave,heisfreefromfear.~Themightytreemustcatchthewind.Thetreeinthisproverbreferstorich,powerful,orfamouspersonswhosuffercontroversy,lawsuits,orunwantedpublicitybecauseoftheirhighprofile.~Onewhooppressesothersisalwaysacoward.~Thefoolishwillconfusepowerwithgreatness.140 SuspicionqIfyouarestandingupright,donotbeconcernedifyourshadowiscrooked.~Suspicionwillchasethewindandclutchatshadows.Asuspiciousheartcannotfindpeace.~Tothefearful,thereflectionofabowisthatofasnake.Thismeansthat,whenfrightenedandsuspicious,weseethereflectionofanenemyorsomethingsinisterinordinarythings.141 TalentqOnewhowastestalentthrowsawayhisblessings.~Concealedtalentsbenefitnoone.~Justasincenseemitsnofragranceuntilitisburned,talentisnotrecognizeduntilitisused.~Watercaneitherfloatorsinkaboat.Itsfateisinthehandsoftheonewhosailsit.~Apoorworkmanshouldnotblamehistools.Talentcomesfromwithinandisundeniablewhenshown.142 ThoughtqGreatthoughtscanbecomegreatdeeds.~Withourthoughtswemustbuildourworld.AsayingattributedtoBuddhathatourmindsshapetheworldwelivein.~Learningwithoutthoughtisopportunitylost.Tobeagoodstudent,onemustbepresentinbothmindandbody.143 TrustqAllgoodrelationshipsarerootedintrust.~Whenthereistrust,noproofisnecessary.~Tobetrustedistobeloved.~Promisesofferedinastormareforgotteninthecalm.Trustistodependonsomeonethroughthickandthin.144 Victory VictoryqFightonlywhenyoucanwin;moveawaywhenyoucannot.~Avoidingconflictisalsoavictory.~Totravelathousandmilesinoneday.Acommonsayingthatmeanstomakegreatprogressinashortperiodoftime.~Greatnesscomesonlywhenfamedoesnotoutshinetruth.~Successandfortunewillfollowthebrave.146 Wealth WealthqWealth,whenused,isdepleted.Learning,whenused,grows.~Whatisscarceisvalued,whatisplentifulisnot.~Onecourtsmisfortunebyflauntingwealth.Rememberthatthereisalwayssomeonewhowilltradeplaceswithasuccessfulpersonwhengiventheopportunity.~Thereisnowealthaboveahealthybodyandahappyheart.~148 WealthIfamanhasnoenemies,fortunehasignoredhim.~Onewhostartsouttoseekcontentmentfindsgreatwealth.149 Wisdom WisdomqInacrisis,peoplegrowwisdom.~Intelligenceisendowed,butwisdomislearned.~Wisdomisattainedbylearningwhentoholdone’stongue.~Onewhoknowsthemostwillspeakthelast.~Wisemenmaybelearned.Learnedmenmaynotbewise.~Onewhoiswiseenoughtosecurethegoodofothershassecuredhisown.~151 Best-LovedChineseProverbsOnewordtothewiseissufficient.~Awisepersonknowswhentoplaythefool.~Wegrowoldfast.Wegrowwiseslowly.~Discretionisthetrustedfriendofwisdom.Awiseheadmustpossessaclosedmouth.~Ittakesatreetenyearstomature;ittakesamanonehundredyearstoform.Maturityandwisdomtakealifetimetoachieve.~Learnasiflifeisonecontinuouslesson.~Youthcanlookonlyforward,butagecanalsolookback.~Itiseasytoblameourmemorywhenourjudgmentisatfault.~152 WisdomAsilentfoolcanpassforawiseman.Thewiseknowwhentoremainsilentandwhentomaketheirpointknown.~Silenceisthetrustedfriendofwisdom.153 WorryqThebody’spaincanbecontrolled,butthatofthemindcannot.~Worryneverthwarteddestiny.~Donotfretwhenthebirdsofworryflyoveryourhead;butwhentheystoptobuildnests,thisyoumustprevent.~Doubtcanbemorecruelthanreality.154 AbouttheAuthorsTheodoraLauistheauthorofTheHandbookofChineseHoroscopes,TheChineseHoroscopesGuidetoRelationships,andChineseHoroscopesforYourChild.Sincethepublicationofherfirstbookin1979,Theodora’sbookshavebeentranslatedintomorethan17languagesandhaveintro-ducedmanytopicsofChineseculturetoreadersallovertheworld.ShewasborninShanghaiandlatermovedtoSouthernCaliforniawithherhusband,Kenneth.KennethLauisanauthor,calligrapher,andillustratorwhoseworkhasbeenfeaturedinTheHandbookofChineseHoroscopes,TheChineseHoroscopesGuidetoRelationships,andChineseHoroscopesforYourChild.BorninShanghai,KennethisfluentinmultipleChinesedialectsandskilledinavarietyofChinesecalligraphystyles.Afterlivingin155 AbouttheAuthorsAsia,KennethandTheodorahavemadeSouthernCali-forniatheirhomeforthepast25years.LauraLauisawriterwhoseworkhasbeenfeaturedinChineseHoroscopesforYourChild.ThedaughterofKennethandTheodoraLau,Lauraisasecond-generationauthoronChinesecultureandhoroscopes.Best-LovedChineseProverbsisherfirstbook.BorninHongKong,shelivesinSouthernCaliforniawithherhusband,Harsh.Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthor.156 ALSOBYTHEODORALAUTheHandbookofChineseHoroscopesChineseHoroscopesforYourChildTheChineseHoroscopesGuidetoRelationships CreditsDesignedbyJessicaShatanHeslin/StudioShatan,Inc.CoverdesignbyChin-YeeLai CopyrightBEST-LOVEDCHINESEPROVERBS.Copyright©1995byTheodoraLau,2009byTheodoraLau,KennethLau,andLauraLau.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.AdobeAcrobateBookReaderNovember2008ISBN978-0-06-172686-610987654321 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