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Best-Loved Chinese Proverbs
"By filling one's head instead of one's pocket, one cannot be robbed."
The appeal of Chinese proverbs is profound and universal. With brevity, clarity, and simplicity, these carefully chosen words help pass wisdom and insight throughout the ages. This timeless, eloquent collection of proverbs offers fundamental truths about the natural world and the human condition, on subjects such as:
Ability • Adversity • Beauty • Character • Conflict Cooperation • Deception • Defeat • Fortune • Greed • Happiness Honor • Inspiration • Knowledge • Leadership • Love Moderation • Necessity • Neighbors • Obstinacy • Opportunity Perseverance • Pride • Sincerity • Strategy • Success Thought • Trust • Victory • Wisdom • And More
"With our thoughts we must build our world."
The appeal of Chinese proverbs is profound and universal. With brevity, clarity, and simplicity, these carefully chosen words help pass wisdom and insight throughout the ages. This timeless, eloquent collection of proverbs offers fundamental truths about the natural world and the human condition, on subjects such as:
Ability • Adversity • Beauty • Character • Conflict Cooperation • Deception • Defeat • Fortune • Greed • Happiness Honor • Inspiration • Knowledge • Leadership • Love Moderation • Necessity • Neighbors • Obstinacy • Opportunity Perseverance • Pride • Sincerity • Strategy • Success Thought • Trust • Victory • Wisdom • And More
"With our thoughts we must build our world."
156 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 25, 2025
A classic worth reading in the tumultuous times we live in today
November 28, 2022
The translator, Theodora, behind by saying “to truly know a people, know their proverbs.”
While there are some obviously culturally specific proverbs (of the thirty-six stratagem, ‘running away’ is the best one”), it is enjoyable to discover universal wisdom that pairs well with the proverbs of other cultures, with commonalities on traits of the wise (they are slow to speak, diligent in learning, etc) and the foolish (boisterous, willfully ignorant, corrupt, etc).
For instance, see how much these ones have to speak to our current polarized political climate:
“An idle story can quickly become fact in the mouths of hundreds.”
“To gather an audience, start a fight.”
“If the top beam is crooked all the rest will not be straight.”
A few additional ones that struck me personally:
“Those who spend all their time talking will have no time to think.”
“Think before you speak but do not speak all that you think.”
“First attain skill; creativity comes later.”
“Adversity a mirror that reveals one’s true self.”
“Defeat is never a bitter brew until one agrees to swallow it.”
While there are some obviously culturally specific proverbs (of the thirty-six stratagem, ‘running away’ is the best one”), it is enjoyable to discover universal wisdom that pairs well with the proverbs of other cultures, with commonalities on traits of the wise (they are slow to speak, diligent in learning, etc) and the foolish (boisterous, willfully ignorant, corrupt, etc).
For instance, see how much these ones have to speak to our current polarized political climate:
“An idle story can quickly become fact in the mouths of hundreds.”
“To gather an audience, start a fight.”
“If the top beam is crooked all the rest will not be straight.”
A few additional ones that struck me personally:
“Those who spend all their time talking will have no time to think.”
“Think before you speak but do not speak all that you think.”
“First attain skill; creativity comes later.”
“Adversity a mirror that reveals one’s true self.”
“Defeat is never a bitter brew until one agrees to swallow it.”
January 18, 2026
Ah, the immortal wisdom of the East! I found this one through serendipity at my university library and could not pass it up. Chinese proverbs are mostly dedicated to keeping your head down, filling your head up, and using your head to slyly get what you want. Sample: Take note of the reputation of others. "If everyone speaks ill of a man, beware of him. If everyone speaks well of a man, beware of him". Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius).
February 18, 2024
Good advice in concise form.
February 24, 2024
Average quality content.
January 11, 2016
Excellent!!! :D Exactly what I was looking for! :) It's not quite as extensive or as comprehensive of other cultures as the Dragon's Almanac is but if you're looking for good proverbs in Chinese this is a wonderful text :)
November 9, 2009
A nice collection of quotes.
November 6, 2018
Nice little collection, divided into sections. But a very quick read and by no means a complete collection.
January 22, 2013
Great when looking for quotes to use in speeches
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews