Proverbs collected By Madani Ait Kabbout, Lycée Technique Ouarzazate

African Proverbs & Old African Sayings

1. However long the night, the dawn will break.

2. A dog knows the places he is thrown food.

3. Blind belief is dangerous. - Luyia ,

Western Kenya

4. Bad dancing does not brake an engagement. - Luyia ,

Western Kenya

5. A messenger cannot be beaten . - Luyia proverbs ,

Western Kenya

6. A Dog that steals sells its body. - Luyia proverbs ,

Western Kenya

7. A Champion bull starts from birth. - Luyia.Western Kenya

8. The pillar of the world is hope. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

9. A tree not taller than an ant cannot shade you. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

10. He who marries a real beauty is seeking trouble. -

Accra

proverb,

Ghana

11. The young can't teach traditions to the old. - Yoruba proverb

12. There is no medicine against old age. -

Accra

proverb,

Ghana

13. That man's a fool whose sheep flees twice. - Oji proverb

14. When your mouth stumbles, it's worse than feet. - Oji proverb

15. Hold a true friend with both hands. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

16. The pillar of the world is hope. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

17. One does not love if one does not accept from others. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

18. Rising early makes the road short. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

19. It is better to walk than curse the road. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

20. If there is cause to someone, the cause to love has just begun. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

21. The teeth of a man serve as a fence. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

22. We add wisdom to knowledge. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

23. A hyena cannot smell its own stench. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

24. Do not follow a person who is running a way. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

25. We should put out fire while it is still small. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

26. Water can not be forced uphill. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

27. The eye is a coward. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

28. We should talk while we are still alive. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

29. Even a friend can not rescue one from old age. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

30. You can not take away someone's luck. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

31. There is no bad patience. - (Knappert, p. 46, Swahili).

32. A low-class man will just talk; deeds are the hallmark of a gentleman. - (Knappert, p. 84, Swahili)

33. God is our neighbour when our brother is absent. - (Knappert, p. 33, Swahili)

34. A donkey knows no gratitude. - (Knappert, p. 138, Swahili)

35. The climber of ladders will descend [the ambitious person will be brought back down]. - (Knappert, p. 93, Swahili)

36. The good looks of a moron do not stay that way for long. -

Ethiopia

(Ayele, p. 23, Amharic)

37. The haughty blind person picks a fight with his guide. -

Ethiopia

38. The best of mankind is a farmer; the best food is fruit. -

Ethiopia

39. Do not vacillate or you will be left in between doing something, having something and being nothing. -

Ethiopia

40. It is foolhardy to climb two trees at once just because one has two feet. -

Ethiopia

41. Though the lion and the antelope happen to live in the same forest, the antelope still has time to grow up. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

42. When you are at home, your troubles can never defeat you. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

43. A stranger does not skin a sheep that is paid as a fine at a chief's court. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

44. The orphan does not rejoice after a heavy breakfast. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

45. The chicken is never declared in the court of hawks. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

46. He flees from the roaring lion to the crouching lion. Sechuana

47. A crime eats its own child. Sechuana

48. A sorcerer has no distinctive colour. Sechuana

49. He has not married a woman; for she is [the equal of] a man. Sechuana

50. People know each other better on a journey. Plaatje

51. Let rats shoot arrows at each other.

Sudan

52. Do not tell the man carrying you that he stinks.

Sierra Leone

53. You suffer from smoke produced by the firewood you fetched yourself.

Luhya

,

Kenya

54. A man who dictates separates himself from others.

Somalia

55. Be on the alert, like the red ant that moves with its claws wide open.

Uganda

56. Instruction in youth is like engraving in stones. Berber,

North Africa

57. To be happy in one's home is better than to be a chief.

Yoruba

,

Nigeria

58. The elephant never gets tired of carrying its tusks.

Vai

,

Liberia

59. By coming and going, a bird weaves its nest.

Ashanti

,

Ghana

60. You are sitting in peace (unharmed): as the nose of a cow that feeds among thorntrees and shows no scars.

Luganda

,

Uganda

61. The rainmaker who doesn't know what he's doing will be found out by the lack of clouds.

Luganda

,

Uganda

62. One who is crazy for meat hunts buffalo.

Luganda

,

Uganda

63. One person is thin porridge or gruel; two or three people are a handful of stiff cooked corn meal. -

Kuria

,

Kenya

/

Tanzania

and

Ngoreme

,

Tanzania

64. That which is good is never finished. -

Sukuma

,

Tanzania

65. One who sees something good must narrate it. -

Ganda

,

Uganda

66. To be praised is to be lost. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

67. The one chased away with a club comes back, but the one chased away with kihooto [reason] does not. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

68. He who refuses to obey cannot command. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

69. He who refuses to obey cannot command. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

70. If one is roasting two potatoes, one of them is bound to get charred. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

.

71. Goodness gets a seat. -

Igala

,

Nigeria

. (Pachocinski, p. 224; explanation: good people will be shown favors and will live longer).

72. The frog does not run in the daytime for nothing. - Igbo,

Nigeria

73. Do they prepare leather [for a battle shield] the day they fight? -

Zar

,

Nigeria

74. When cutting, look at the age of the machete. -

Fulfulde

,

Nigeria

75. He who loves money must labor. (

Mauritania

)

76. Poverty is slavery (

Somalia

)

77. One cannot both feast and become rich. (

Ashanti

tribe)

78. There is no one who became rich because he broke a holiday, no one became fat because he broke a fast.

Ethiopia

79. Knowledge is better than riches.

Cameroon

80. Money is sharper than the sword.

Ashanti

tribe

81. One cannot count on riches.

Somalia

82. The poor man and the rich man do not play together.

Ashanti

tribe

83. A man's wealth may be superior to him.

Cameroon

84. With wealth one wins a woman.

Uganda

85. The rich are always complaining.

Zululand

86. Where the rooster crows there is a village. -Schambala proverb

87. Dogs do not actually prefer bones to meat,it is just that no one ever gives them meat. Akan proverb,

West Africa

88. A real family eats the same cornmeal. -Bayombe proverb

89. If your cornfield is far from your house, the birds will eat your corn. Pigmy proverb

90. He who loves money must labor.

Mauritania

91. One cannot both feast and become rich.

Ashanti

tribe

92. Knowledge is better than riches

Cameroon

93. Money is sharper than the sword.

Ashanti

tribe

94. One cannot count on riches.

Somalia

95. The poor man and the rich man do not play together.

Ashanti

tribe

96. Add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it.

97. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

98. A dog knows the places he is thrown food.

99. Blind belief is dangerous. - Luyia ,

Western Kenya

100. Bad dancing does not brake an engagement. - Luyia ,

Western Kenya

101. A messenger cannot be beaten . - Luyia proverbs ,

Western Kenya

102. A Dog that steals sells its body. - Luyia proverbs ,

Western Kenya

103. A Champion bull starts from birth. - Luyia.Western Kenya

104. The pillar of the world is hope. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

105. A tree not taller than an ant cannot shade you. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

106. He who marries a real beauty is seeking trouble. -

Accra

proverb,

Ghana

107. The young can't teach traditions to the old. - Yoruba proverb

108. There is no medicine against old age. -

Accra

proverb,

Ghana

109. That man's a fool whose sheep flees twice. - Oji proverb

110. When your mouth stumbles, it's worse than feet. - Oji proverb

111. Hold a true friend with both hands. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

112. The pillar of the world is hope. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

113. One does not love if one does not accept from others. - Kanuri proverb,

Nigeria

114. Rising early makes the road short. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

115. It is better to walk than curse the road. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

116. If there is cause to someone, the cause to love has just begun. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

117. The teeth of a man serve as a fence. - Wolof proverb,

Senegal

118. We add wisdom to knowledge. - Kalenjin (Kenya)

119. A hyena cannot smell its own stench. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

120. Do not follow a person who is running a way. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

121. We should put out fire while it is still small. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

122. Water can not be forced uphill. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

123. The eye is a coward. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

124. We should talk while we are still alive. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

125. Even a friend can not rescue one from old age. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

126. You can not take away someone's luck. - Kalenjin (

Kenya

)

127. There is no bad patience. - (Knappert, p. 46, Swahili).

128. A low-class man will just talk; deeds are the hallmark of a gentleman. - (Knappert, p. 84, Swahili)

129. God is our neighbour when our brother is absent. - (Knappert, p. 33, Swahili)

130. A donkey knows no gratitude. - (Knappert, p. 138, Swahili)

131. The climber of ladders will descend [the ambitious person will be brought back down].

132. The good looks of a moron do not stay that way for long. -

Ethiopia

(Ayele, p. 23, Amharic)

133. The haughty blind person picks a fight with his guide. -

Ethiopia

134. The best of mankind is a farmer; the best food is fruit. -

Ethiopia

135. Do not vacillate or you will be left in between doing something, having something and being nothing. -

Ethiopia

136. It is foolhardy to climb two trees at once just because one has two feet. -

Ethiopia

137. Though the lion and the antelope happen to live in the same forest, the antelope still has time to grow up. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

138. When you are at home, your troubles can never defeat you. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

139. A stranger does not skin a sheep that is paid as a fine at a chief's court. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

140. The orphan does not rejoice after a heavy breakfast. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

141. The chicken is never declared in the court of hawks. -

Cape Coast

,

Ghana

142. He flees from the roaring lion to the crouching lion. Sechuana

143. A crime eats its own child. Sechuana

144. A sorcerer has no distinctive colour. Sechuana

145. He has not married a woman; for she is [the equal of] a man. Sechuana

146. People know each other better on a journey. Plaatje

147. Let rats shoot arrows at each other.

Sudan

148. Do not tell the man carrying you that he stinks.

Sierra Leone

149. You suffer from smoke produced by the firewood you fetched yourself.

Luhya

,

Kenya

150. A man who dictates separates himself from others.

Somalia

151. Be on the alert, like the red ant that moves with its claws wide open.

Uganda

152. Instruction in youth is like engraving in stones. Berber,

North Africa

153. To be happy in one's home is better than to be a chief.

Yoruba

,

Nigeria

154. The elephant never gets tired of carrying its tusks.

Vai

,

Liberia

155. By coming and going, a bird weaves its nest.

Ashanti

,

Ghana

156. You are sitting in peace (unharmed): as the nose of a cow that feeds among thorntrees and shows no scars.

Luganda

,

Uganda

157. The rainmaker who doesn't know what he's doing will be found out by the lack of clouds.

Luganda

,

Uganda

158. One who is crazy for meat hunts buffalo.

Luganda

,

Uganda

159. One person is thin porridge or gruel; two or three people are a handful of stiff cooked corn meal. -

Kuria

,

Kenya

/

Tanzania

and

Ngoreme

,

Tanzania

160. God's rain falls even on the . -

Fipa

,

Tanzania

161. That which is good is never finished. -

Sukuma

,

Tanzania

162. One who sees something good must narrate it. -

Ganda

,

Uganda

163. To be praised is to be lost. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

164. The one chased away with a club comes back, but the one chased away with kihooto [reason] does not. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

165. He who refuses to obey cannot command. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

166. He who refuses to obey cannot command. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

167. If one is roasting two potatoes, one of them is bound to get charred. -

Kikuyu

,

Kenya

.

168. Goodness gets a seat. -

Igala

,

Nigeria

. (Pachocinski, p. 224; explanation: good people will be shown favors and will live longer).

169. The frog does not run in the daytime for nothing. - Igbo,

Nigeria

170. Do they prepare leather [for a battle shield] the day they fight? -

Zar

,

Nigeria

171. The crows, the idle person grumbles. -

Yoruba

,

Nigeria

172. When cutting, look at the age of the machete. -

Fulfulde

,

Nigeria

173. He who loves money must labor. (

Mauritania

)

174. Poverty is slavery (

Somalia

)

175. One cannot both feast and become rich. (

Ashanti

tribe)

176. There is no one who became rich because he broke a holiday, no one became fat because he broke a fast.

Ethiopia

177. Knowledge is better than riches.

Cameroon

178. Money is sharper than the sword.

Ashanti

tribe

179. One cannot count on riches.

Somalia

180. The poor man and the rich man do not play together.

Ashanti

tribe

181. A man's wealth may be superior to him.

Cameroon

182. With wealth one wins a woman.

Uganda

183. The rich are always complaining.

Zululand

184. Where the rooster crows there is a village. -Schambala proverb

185. Before the chicken carefully observe the character of your guest. Mandingo proverb

186. The ivator is alone, but those who eat are many. -Schambala proverb

187. Dogs do not actually prefer bones to meat,it is just that no one ever gives them meat. Akan proverb,

West Africa

188. A real family eats the same cornmeal. -Bayombe proverb

189. If your cornfield is far from your house, the birds will eat your corn. Pigmy proverb

190. He who loves money must labor.

Mauritania

191. One cannot both feast and become rich.

Ashanti

tribe

192. Knowledge is better than riches

Cameroon

193. Money is sharper than the sword.

Ashanti

tribe

194. One cannot count on riches.

Somalia

195. The poor man and the rich man do not play together.

Ashanti

tribe

196. Add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it.

197. Wherever man goes to dwell his character goes with him.

198. Whatever accomplishment you boast of in the world, there is someone better than you.

199. When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.

200. Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

201. Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.

202. Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.

203. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

Chinese Proverbs & Old Chinese Sayings

1. If you want happiness for an hour; take a nap. If you want happiness for a day; go fishing. If you want happiness for a month; get married. If you want happiness for a year; inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime; help someone else.

2. To believe in one's dreams is to spend all of one's life asleep

3. Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead.

4. With true friends...even water drunk together is sweet enough.

5. To attract good fortune, spend a new coin on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend, and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.

6. There is only one pretty child in the world and every mother has it.

7. A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.

8. Mankind fears an evil man but heaven does not. Chinese Proverb

9. Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow.

10. Not wine...men intoxicate themselves; Not vice...men entice themselves.

11. One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.

12. One joy scatters a hundred griefs.

13. Public before private and country before family.

14. An ant may well destroy a whole dam.

15. A book holds a house of gold.

16. Butcher the donkey after it finished his job on the mill.

17. A crane standing amidst a flock of chickens.

18. A camel standing amidst a flock of sheep.

19. Crows everywhere are equally black.

20. A dish of carrot hastily cooked may still has soil uncleaned off the vegetable.

21. Dismantle the bridge shortly after crossing it.

22. Distant water won't help to put out a fire close at hand.

23. Distant water won't quench your immediate thirst.

24. Do not want others to know what you have done? Better not have done it anyways.

25. Donkey's lips do not fit onto a horse's mouth.

26. A dog won't forsake his master because of his poverty; a son never deserts his mother for her homely appearance.

27. Add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it.

28. Dream different dreams while on the same bed.

29. Even a hare will bite when it is cornered.

30. Fail to steal the chicken while it ate up your bait grain.

31. A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.

32. Fight a wolf with a flex stalk.

33. A flea on the top of a bald head.

34. Flowing water never goes bad; our door hubs never gather termites.

35. A frog in a well shaft seeing the sky.

36. Flies never visit an egg that has no crack.

37. A good fortune may forebode a bad luck, which may in turn disguise a good fortune.

38. Have a mouth as sharp as a dagger but a heart as soft as tofu.

39. Have one's ears pierced only before the wedding ceremony starts.

40. A horse cannot gain weight if not fed with extra fodder during the night; a man cannot become wealthy without earnings apart from his regular salaries.

41. How can you expect to find ivory in a dog's mouth?

42. How can you put out a fire set on a cart-load of firewood with only a cup of water?

43. If you do not study hard when young you'll end up bewailing your failures as you grow up.

44. If a son is uneducated, his dad is to blame.

45. If you have never done anything evil, you should not be worrying about devils to knock at your door.

46. An inch of time is an inch of gold but you can't buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.

47. It is easy to dodge a spear that comes in front of you but hard to keep harms away from an arrow shot from behind.

48. A Jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good-for-nothing until he is educated.

49. Kill a chicken before a monkey.

50. Kill one to warn a hundred.

51. Like ants eating a bone.

52. Looking for the ass on its very back.

53. Lift a stone only to drop on your own feet.

54. The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be.

55. Mend the pen only after the sheep are all gone.

56. No wind, no waves.

57. Of all the stratagems, to know when to quit is the best.

58. Once bitten by a snake, he/she is scared all his/her life at the mere sight of a rope.

59. Once on a tiger's back, it is hard to alight.

60. One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked.

61. One monk shoulders water by himself; two can still share the labor among them. When it comes to three, they have to go thirsty.

62. Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.

63. An overcrowded chicken farm produce fewer eggs.

64. Pick up a sesame seed but lose sight of a watermelon.

65. Play a harp before a cow.

66. Paper can't wrap up a fire.

67. Reshape one's foot to try to fit into a new shoe.

68. Regular feet can't be affected by irregular shoes.

69. Shed no tears until seeing the coffin.

70. A smile will gain you ten more years of life.

71. A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den.

72. Some prefer carrot while others like cabbage.

73. Steal a bell with one's ears covered.

74. Three humble shoemakers brainstorming will make a great statesman.

75. There are always ears on the other side of the wall.

76. There is no silver here: three hundred taels.

77. A tiger never returns to his prey he did not finish off.

78. Vicious as a tigeress can be, she never eats her own cubs.

79. Waiting for a rabbit to hit upon a tree and be killed in order to catch it.

80. We are not so much concerned if you are slow as when you come to a halt.

81. A weasel comes to say Happy New Year to the chickens.

82. When you are poor, neighbors close by will not come; once you become rich, you'll be surprised by visits from (alleged) relatives afar.

83. Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.

84. You can't catch a cub without going into the tiger's den.

85. You think you lost your horse? Who knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday.

86. You won't help shoots grow by pulling them up higher.

87. You can't expect both ends of a sugar cane are as sweet.

88. Your fingers can't be of the same length.

89. Age and time do not wait for people.

90. Attack is the best defence.

91. Bad things never walk alone.

92. A bird in your hand is worth more than 100 in the forest.

93. The death of the heart is the saddest thing that can happen to you.

94. Different flowers look good to different people.

95. Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold.

96. A great man can bend and stretch.

97. Once you pour the water out of the bucket it's hard to get it back in it.

98. Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse.

99. Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.

100. The soldier who retreats 50 paces jeers at the one who retreats 100 paces.

101. To cultivate trees, you need 10 years. To cultivate people, you need 100 years.

102. May you get what you wish for.

103. Laws control the lesser man. Right conduct controls the greater one.

104. Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.

105. Pray to God, but keep rowing toward(s) the shore.

106. Mankind fears an evil man but heaven does not. Chinese Proverb

107. Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow. Chinese Proverb

108. Not wine...men intoxicate themselves; Not vice...men entice themselves. Chinese Proverb

109. One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. Chinese Proverb

110. One joy scatters a hundred griefs. Chinese Proverb

111. Public before private and country before family. Chinese Proverb

112. An ant may well destroy a whole dam.

113. A book holds a house of gold.

114. Butcher the donkey after it finished his job on the mill.

115. A crane standing amidst a flock of chickens.

116. A camel standing amidst a flock of sheep.

117. Crows everywhere are equally black.

118. A dish of carrot hastily cooked may still has soil uncleaned off the vegetable.

119. Dismantle the bridge shortly after crossing it.

120. Distant water won't help to put out a fire close at hand.

121. Distant water won't quench your immediate thirst.

122. Do not want others to know what you have done? Better not have done it anyways.

123. Donkey's lips do not fit onto a horse's mouth.

124. A dog won't forsake his master because of his poverty; a son never deserts his mother for her homely appearance.

125. Add legs to the snake after you have finished drawing it.

126. Dream different dreams while on the same bed.

127. Even a hare will bite when it is cornered.

128. Fail to steal the chicken while it ate up your bait grain.

129. A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.

130. Fight a wolf with a flex stalk.

131. A flea on the top of a bald head.

132. Flowing water never goes bad; our door hubs never gather termites.

133. A frog in a well shaft seeing the sky.

134. Flies never visit an egg that has no crack.

135. A good fortune may forbode a bad luck, which may in turn disguise a good fortune.

136. Have a mouth as sharp as a dagger but a heart as soft as tofu.

137. Have one's ears pierced only before the wedding ceremony starts.

138. A horse cannot gain weight if not fed with extra fodder during the night; a man cannot become wealthy without earnings apart from his regular salaries.

139. How can you expect to find ivory in a dog's mouth?

140. How can you put out a fire set on a cart-load of firewood with only a cup of water?

141. If you do not study hard when young you'll end up bewailing your failures as you grow up.

142. If a son is uneducated, his dad is to blame.

143. If you have never done anything evil, you should not be worrying about devils to knock at your door.

144. An inch of time is an inch of gold but you can't buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.

145. It is easy to dodge a spear that comes in front of you but hard to keep harms away from an arrow shot from behind.

146. A Jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good-for-nothing until he is educated.

147. Kill a chicken before a monkey.

148. Kill one to warn a hundred.

149. Like ants eating a bone.

150. Looking for the ass on its very back.

151. Lift a stone only to drop on your own feet.

152. The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be.

153. Mend the pen only after the sheep are all gone.

154. No wind, no waves.

155. Of all the strategems, to know when to quit is the best.

156. Once bitten by a snake, he/she is scared all his/her life at the mere sight of a rope.

157. Once on a tiger's back, it is hard to alight.

158. One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked.

159. One monk shoulders water by himself; two can still share the labor among them. When it comes to three, they have to go thirsty.

160. Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.

161. An overcrowded chicken farm produce fewer eggs.

162. Pick up a sesame seed but lose sight of a watermelon.

163. Play a harp before a cow.

164. Paper can't wrap up a fire.

165. Reshape one's foot to try to fit into a new shoe.

166. Regular feet can't be affected by irregular shoes.

167. Shed no tears until seeing the coffin.

168. A smile will gain you ten more years of life.

169. A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den.

170. Some prefer carrot while others like cabbage.

171. Steal a bell with one's ears covered.

172. Three humble shoemakers brainstorming will make a great statesman.

173. There are always ears on the other side of the wall.

174. There is no silver here: three hundred taels.

175. A tiger never returns to his prey he did not finish off.

176. Vicious as a tigeress can be, she never eats her own cubs.

177. Waiting for a rabbit to hit upon a tree and be killed in order to catch it.

178. We are not so much concerned if you are slow as when you come to a halt.

179. A weasel comes to say Happy New Year to the chickens.

180. When you are poor, neighbors close by will not come; once you become rich, you'll be surprised by visits from (alleged) relatives afar.

181. Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.

182. You can't catch a cub without going into the tiger's den.

183. You think you lost your horse? Who knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday.

184. You won't help shoots grow by pulling them up higher.

185. You can't expect both ends of a sugar cane are as sweet.

186. Your fingers can't be of the same length.

187. Age and time do not wait for people.

188. Attack is the best defence.

189. Bad things never walk alone.

190. A bird in your hand is worth more than 100 in the forest.

191. The death of the heart is the saddest thing that can happen to you.

192. Different flowers look good to different people.

193. Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold.

194. A great man can bend and stretch.

195. Once you pour the water out of the bucket it's hard to get it back in it.

196. Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse.

197. Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.

198. The soldier who retreats 50 paces jeers at the one who retreats 100 paces.

199. To cultivate trees, you need 10 years. To cultivate people, you need 100 years.

200. If a son is uneducated, his dad is to blame.

201. If you have never done anything evil, you should not be worrying about devils to knock at your door.

202. An inch of time is an inch of gold but you can't buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.

203. It is easy to dodge a spear that comes in front of you but hard to keep harms away from an arrow shot from behind.

204. A Jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good-for-nothing until he is educated.

205. Kill a chicken before a monkey.

206. Kill one to warn a hundred.

207. Like ants eating a bone.

208. Looking for the ass on its very back.

209. Lift a stone only to drop on your own feet.

210. The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be.

211. Mend the pen only after the sheep are all gone.

212. No wind, no waves.

213. Of all the strategems, to know when to quit is the best.

214. Once bitten by a snake, he/she is scared all his/her life at the mere sight of a rope.

215. Once on a tiger's back, it is hard to alight.

216. One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked.

217. One monk shoulders water by himself; two can still share the labor among them. When it comes to three, they have to go thirsty.

218. Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.

219. An overcrowded chicken farm produce fewer eggs.

220. Pick up a sesame seed but lose sight of a watermelon.

221. Play a harp before a cow.

222. Paper can't wrap up a fire.

223. Reshape one's foot to try to fit into a new shoe.

224. Regular feet can't be affected by irregular shoes.

225. Shed no tears until seeing the coffin.

226. A smile will gain you ten more years of life.

227. A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den.

228. Some prefer carrot while others like cabbage.

229. Steal a bell with one's ears covered.

230. Three humble shoemakers brainstorming will make a great statesman.

231. There are always ears on the other side of the wall.

232. There is no silver here: three hundred taels.

233. A tiger never returns to his prey he did not finish off.

234. Vicious as a tigeress can be, she never eats her own cubs.

235. Waiting for a rabbit to hit upon a tree and be killed in order to catch it.

236. We are not so much concerned if you are slow as when you come to a halt.

237. A weasel comes to say Happy New Year to the chickens.

238. When you are poor, neighbors close by will not come; once you become rich, you'll be surprised by visits from (alleged) relatives afar.

239. Without rice, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook.

240. You can't catch a cub without going into the tiger's den.

241. You think you lost your horse? Who knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday.

242. You won't help shoots grow by pulling them up higher.

243. You can't expect both ends of a sugar cane are as sweet.

244. Your fingers can't be of the same length.

245. Age and time do not wait for people.

246. Attack is the best defence.

247. Bad things never walk alone.

248. A bird in your hand is worth more than 100 in the forest.

249. The death of the heart is the saddest thing that can happen to you.

250. Different flowers look good to different people.

251. Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold.

252. A great man can bend and stretch.

253. Once you pour the water out of the bucket it's hard to get it back in it.

254. Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse.

255. Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.

256. The soldier who retreats 50 paces jeers at the one who retreats 100 paces.

257. To cultivate trees, you need 10 years. To cultivate people, you need 100 years.

258. "He who asks the question is a fool for a minute; he who does not is a fool forever."

259. "He who asks the question is a fool for a minute; he who does not is a fool forever."

260. The journey is the reward.

261. If your strength is small, don't carry heavy burdens. If your words are worthless, don't give advice.

262. Who is not satisfied with himself will grow; who is not sure of his own correctness will learn many things.

263. Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense.

264. I hear and I forget, I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

265. Talk doesn't cook rice.

266. Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself.

267. The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

268. To talk goodness is not good... only to do it is.

269. A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

270. Biggest profits mean gravest risks.

271. The woman who tells her age is either too young to have anything to lose or too old to have anything to gain.

272. Clear conscience never fears

midnight

knocking.

273. If you stand straight, do not fear a crooked shadow.

274. Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.

275. Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead.

276. Those who have free seats at a play hiss first.

277. If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.

278. Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without one.

279. There are two perfectly good men, one dead, and the other unborn.

280. Don't open a shop unless you like to smile.

281. Of all the thirty-six alternatives, running away is best.

282. Ceremony is the smoke of friendship.

283. To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous.

284. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him.

285. He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes.

286. You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.

287. Life is a dream walking death is a going home.

288. If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.

289. The superior doctor prevents sickness; The mediocre doctor attends to impending sickness; The inferior doctor treats actual sickness;

290. Great doubts deep wisdom. Small doubts little wisdom.

291. I dreamed a thousand new paths. I woke and walked my old one.

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

293. A great fortune depends on luck, a small one on diligence.

294. Experience is a comb which nature gives to men when they are bald.

295. Everyone pushes a falling fence.

296. The great question is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with failure.

297. Riches: A dream in the night. Fame: A gull floating on water.

298. All people are your relatives, therefore expect only trouble from them.

299. Govern a family as you would cook a small fish -- very gently.

300. In a broken nest there are few whole eggs.

301. Man is the head of the family, woman the neck that turns the head.

302. He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.

303. If a man fools me once, shame on him. If he fools me twice, shame on me.

304. The saving man becomes the free man.

305. A man should choose a friend who is better than himself. There are plenty of acquaintances in the world; but very few real friends.

306. With true friends... even water drunk together is sweet enough.

307. When men speak of the future, the Gods laugh.

308. Sow much, reap much; sow little, reap little.

309. Your friend has a friend; don't tell him.

310. Climb mountains to see lowlands.

311. Enough shovels of earth -- a mountain. Enough pails of water -- a river.

312. Habits are cobwebs at first; cables at last.

313. Happiness is like a sunbeam, which the least shadow intercepts, while adversity is often as the rain of spring.

314. If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap. If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing. If you want happiness for a month -- get married. If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else.

315. If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.

316. Do not employ handsome servants.

317. If you suspect a man, don't employ him, and if you employ him, don't suspect him.

318. A hundred men may make an encampment, but it takes a woman to make a home.

319. One never needs their humor as much a when they argue with a fool.

320. Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.

321. One joy scatters a hundred grieves.

322. When you cease to strive to understand, then you will know without understanding.

323. Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.

324. The palest ink lasts longer than the most retentive memory.

325. If you are poor, though you dwell in the busy marketplace, no one will inquire about you; if you are rich, though you dwell in the heart of the mountains, you will have distant relatives.

326. The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names.

327. If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.

328. When we have nothing to worry about we are not doing much, and not doing much may supply us with plenty of future worries.

329. To understand your parents' love you must raise children yourself.

330. Patience is power; with time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.

331. The tongue can paint what the eye can't see.

332. One step at a time is good walking.

333. When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people.

334. Pleasure for one hour, a bottle of wine. Pleasure for one year a marriage; but pleasure for a lifetime, a garden.

335. Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

336. In the midst of great joy, do not promise anyone anything. In the midst of great anger, do not answer anyone's letter.

337. If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.

338. A maker of idols is never an idolater.

339. Respect for ones parents is the highest duty of civil life.

340. What is told into the ear of a man is often heard a hundred miles away.

341. Never do anything standing that you can do sitting, or anything sitting that you can do lying down.

342. To climb a tree to catch a fish is talking much and doing nothing.

343. Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men's clothes.

344. Think of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and of the faults of others the latter part of the night when you are asleep.

345. An inch of time cannot be bought with an inch of gold.

346. It is later than you think.

347. The greatest conqueror is he who overcomes the enemy without a blow.

348. With virtue you can't be entirely poor; without virtue you can't really be rich.

349. Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes.

350. A single conversation across the table with a wise man is worth a month's study of books.

351. Beauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the beauty of men.

352. Deep doubts, deep wisdom; small doubts, little wisdom.

353. A man grows most tired while standing still.

English Proverbs and Old English Sayings

1. A bad penny always turns up.
2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
3. A fool and his money are soon parted.
4. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
5. A man is known by the company he keeps.
6. A man's home is his castle.
7. A stitch in time saves nine.
8. Actions speak louder than words.
After a storm comes a calm.
All good things must come to an end.

2. It never rains, but it pours.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Life is just a bowl of cherries.
Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
Like father, like son.
Love is blind.
Love sees no faults.

3. One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
English Proverb (17th century)
One good turn deserves another.

4. One of these day is none of these days.

5. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches

6.

Opportunity

seldom knocks twice.
Poor men seek meat for their stomach, rich men stomach for their meat.
Practice makes perfect.
Prevention is better than cure.
Rats desert a sinking ship.

7. The early bird catches the worm.
The first step is the hardest.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
The last straw breaks the camel's back.
The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune.
The pot calls the kettle black.
There's a black sheep in every flock.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no place like home.
Things are not always what they seem.

8. A hero is a man who is afraid to run away.

9. The first faults are theirs that commit them, the second theirs that permit them.

10. As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.

11. If you want a thing done, go. If not, send. The shortest answer is doing.

12. A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.

13. A stumble may prevent a fall.

14. Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

15. Better a snotty child than his nose wiped off.

16. Children suck the mother when they are young and the father when they are old.

17. Use soft words and hard arguments.

18. A poor beauty finds more lovers than husbands.

19. A good beginning makes a good end.

20. A blind man will not thank you for a looking-glass.

21. An idle brain is the devil's workshop.

22. Cheat me in the price, but not in the goods.

23. While the doctors consult, the patient dies.

24. 'Tis money that begets money.

25. Death always comes too early or too late.

26. Death is a shadow that always follows the body.

27. Speak not of my debts unless you mean to pay them.

28. The difference is wide that sheets will not decide.

29. He that seeks trouble never misses.

30. Never step over one duty to perform another.

31. A burnt child dreads the fire.

32. A small family is soon provided for.

33. Don't dig your grave with your knife and fork.

34. Fools build houses, and wise men buy them.

35. He is a fool that kisseth the maid when he may kiss the mistress.

36. Friends are like fiddle strings, they must not be screwed too tight.

37. You may poke a man's fire after you've known him for seven years.

38. The best throw of the dice is to throw them away.

39. Education begins a gentleman, conversation completes him.

40. Take heed you do not find what you do not seek.

41. Gray hairs are death's blossoms.

42. If you want to be happy for a year, plant a garden; If you want to be happy for life, plant a tree.

43. We are usually the best men when in the worst health.

44. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

45. The calmest husbands make the stormiest wives.

46. Many a true word is spoken in jest.

47. Sometimes you must be cruel to be kind.

48. A young man idle, an old man needy.

49. Learning makes a man fit company for himself as well as for others.

50. He that plants trees loves others besides himself.

51. The mob has many heads but no brains.

52. He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin.

53. Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

54. Foul water will quench fire.

55. Love your neighbor, yet pull not down your hedge.

56. The ship that will not obey the helm will have to obey the rocks.

57. Who is so deaf or so blind as he that willfully will neither hear nor see?

58. Some men go through a forest and see no firewood.

59. You must not expect old heads upon young shoulders.

60. No barber shaves so close but another finds his work.

61. Don't halt before you are lame.

62. Poverty is not a shame, but the being ashamed of it is.

63. Ask God for what man can give, and you may get it.

64. A full cup must be carried steadily.

65. A proverb is the child of experience.

66. When the sword of rebellion is drawn, the sheath should be thrown away.

67. Still waters run deep.

68. Six hours for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for a fool.

69. To talk without thinking is to shoot without aiming.

70. There is but an hour a day between a good housewife and a bad one.

71. Time is the soul of business.

72. It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody.

73. It takes all sorts to make a world.

74. Sell not virtue to purchase wealth.

75. Sorrow for a husband is like a pain in the elbow, sharp and short.

76. Where there's a will, there's a way.

77. Two wrongs do not make a right.

78. A proverb is the child of experience.

79. A hero is a man who is afraid to run away.

80. The first faults are theirs that commit them, the second theirs that permit them.

81. As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.

82. If you want a thing done, go. If not, send. The shortest answer is doing.

83. A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.

84. A stumble may prevent a fall.

85. Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

86. Better a snotty child than his nose wiped off.

87. Children suck the mother when they are young and the father when they are old.

88. Use soft words and hard arguments.

89. A poor beauty finds more lovers than husbands.

90. A good beginning makes a good end.

91. A blind man will not thank you for a looking-glass.

92. An idle brain is the devil's workshop.

93. Cheat me in the price, but not in the goods.

94. While the doctors consult, the patient dies.

95. 'Tis money that begets money.

96. Death always comes too early or too late.

97. Death is a shadow that always follows the body.

98. Speak not of my debts unless you mean to pay them.

99. The difference is wide that sheets will not decide.

100. He that seeks trouble never misses.

101. Never step over one duty to perform another.

102. A burnt child dreads the fire.

103. A small family is soon provided for.

104. Don't dig your grave with your knife and fork.

105. Fools build houses, and wise men buy them.

106. He is a fool that kisseth the maid when he may kiss the mistress.

107. Friends are like fiddle strings, they must not be screwed too tight.

108. You may poke a man's fire after you've known him for seven years.

109. The best throw of the dice is to throw them away.

110. Education begins a gentleman, conversation completes him.

111. Take heed you do not find what you do not seek.

112. Gray hairs are death's blossoms.

113. If you want to be happy for a year, plant a garden; If you want to be happy for life, plant a tree.

114. We are usually the best men when in the worst health.

115. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

116. The calmest husbands make the stormiest wives.

117. Many a true word is spoken in jest.

118. Sometimes you must be cruel to be kind.

119. A young man idle, an old man needy.

120. Learning makes a man fit company for himself as well as for others.

121. He that plants trees loves others besides himself.

122. The mob has many heads but no brains.

123. He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin.

124. Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

125. Foul water will quench fire.

126. Love your neighbor, yet pull not down your hedge.

127. The ship that will not obey the helm will have to obey the rocks.

128. Who is so deaf or so blind as he that willfully will neither hear nor see?

129. Some men go through a forest and see no firewood.

130. You must not expect old heads upon young shoulders.

131. No barber shaves so close but another finds his work.

132. Don't halt before you are lame.

133. Poverty is not a shame, but the being ashamed of it is.

134. Ask God for what man can give, and you may get it.

135. A full cup must be carried steadily.

136. A proverb is the child of experience.

137. When the sword of rebellion is drawn, the sheath should be thrown away.

138. Still waters run deep.

139. Six hours for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for a fool.

140. To talk without thinking is to shoot without aiming.

141. There is but an hour a day between a good housewife and a bad one.

142. Time is the soul of business.

143. It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody.

144. It takes all sorts to make a world.

145. Sell not virtue to purchase wealth.

146. Sorrow for a husband is like a pain in the elbow, sharp and short.

147. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Arabian Proverbs - Old Arabian Sayings

1. When danger approaches, sing to it.

2. Examine what is said, not him who speaks.

3. If begging should unfortunately be thy lot, knock at the large gates only.

4. I came to the place of my birth and cried, ''The friends of my youth, where are they?'' And echo answered, ''Where are they?''

5. All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.

6. Death was afraid of him because he had the heart of a lion.

7. The devil tempts all men, but idle men tempt the devil.

8. None but a mule denies his family.

9. Throw a lucky man into the sea, and he will come up with a fish in his mouth.

10. He who eats alone chokes alone.

11. A friend is known when needed.

12. Do not tell a friend anything you would conceal from an enemy.

13. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

14. Those who foretell the future lies, even if he tells the truth.

15. Lying and stealing are next door neighbours.

16. He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything.

17. A man profits more by the sight of an idiot than by the orations of the learned.

18. Marriage is like a besieged castle; those who are on the outside wish to get in; and those who are on the inside wish to get out.

19. Four things come not back. The spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, ad the neglected opportunity.

20. If power is for sale, sell your mother to buy it. You can always buy her back again.

21. Good to sell knowledge for labour, honour for risk.

22. The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace.

23. The whisper of a pretty girl can be heard further than the roar of a lion.

24. The sinning is the best part of repentance.

25. The words of tongue should have three gate keepers.

26. When you have spoken the word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken you reign over it.

27. Pardon is the choicest flower of victory.

28. A wise man's day is worth a fool's life.

Confucius Proverbs and Old Sayings

BC 551-479, Chinese Ethical Teacher, Philosopher

1. Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

2. The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

3. Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

4. Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

5. I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.

6. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

7. To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.

8. When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

9. Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.

10. The cautious seldom err.

11. The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

12. The superior man will watch over himself when he is alone. He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself.

13. To be fond of learning is near to wisdom; to practice with vigor is near to benevolence; and to be conscious of shame is near to fortitude. He who knows these three things

14. When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

15. To be with God.

16. Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star.

17. Don't complain about the snow on your neighbour’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.

18. If you look into your own heart, you find nothing wrong there, what is there to fear?

19. The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.

20. To see and listen to the wicked is already the beginning of wickedness.

21. The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.

22. When anger rises, think of the consequences.

23. To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.

24. To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

25. A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.

26. Study the past, if you would divine the future.

27. Faithfulness and sincerity are the highest things.

28. It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.

29. The parents age must be remembered, both for joy and anxiety.

30. The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

31. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.

32. The wheel of fortune turns round incessantly, and who can say to himself, ''I shall today be uppermost.''

33. Not to alter one's faults is to be faulty indeed.

34. The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.

35. The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.

36. The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.

37. When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.

38. A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart.

39. Love thy neighbour as thyself: Do not to others what thou wouldn't not wish be done to thyself: Forgive injuries. Forgive thy enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God in his behalf.

40. Have no friends not equal to yourself.

41. The perfecting of one's self is the fundamental base of all progress and all moral development.

42. We take greater pains to persuade others we are happy than in trying to think so ourselves.

43. Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.

44. With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bent arm for a pillow -- I have still joy in the midst of all these things.

45. Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

46. Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others.

47. The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance.

48. To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

49. Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

50. If you lead the people with correctness, who will dare not be correct?

51. Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.

52. Can there be a love which does not make demands on its object?

53. To love a thing means wanting it to live.

54. Consideration for others is the basic of a good life, a good society.

55. The superior man is firm in the right way, and not merely firm.

56. The way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are free from fear.

57. What the superior person seeks is in themselves. What the mean person seeks is in others.

58. I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

59. Of neighbourhoods, benevolence is the most beautiful. How can the man be considered wise who when he had the choice does not settle in benevolence.

60. A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.

61. Instead of being concerned that you have no office, be concerned to think how you may fit yourself for office. Instead of being concerned that you are not known, see to the (be?) worthy of being known.

62. Virtuous people often revenge themselves for the constraints to which they submit by the boredom which they inspire.

63. When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.

64. You cannot open a book without learning something.

65. Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

66. He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.

67. The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

68. Boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination.

69. When nature exceeds culture, we have the rustic. When culture exceeds nature then we the pedant.

70. He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

71. The object of the superior man is truth.

72. The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.

73. When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.

74. Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

75. Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.

76. Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

77. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

78. In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

79. Learning without thought is labour lost.

80. Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

81. It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great.

82. Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

83. I have never seen a man as fond of virtue as of women.

84. The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

85. To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.

86. To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

87. Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

88. Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.

89. They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

90. Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?

91. Tsze-Kung asked, saying, is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life?'' The Master said, ''Is not Reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

92. Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.

93. Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honours depend upon heaven.

94. Do not worry about holding high position; worry rather about playing your proper role.

95. Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.

96. To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

97. I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.

98. Things that are done, it is needless to speak about; things that are past it is needless to blame.

99. The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.

100. It is only the wisest and the stupidest that cannot change.

101. Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

102. Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

103. Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

104. The book salesman should be honoured because he brings to our attention, as a rule, the very books we need most and neglect most.

105. Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

106. Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

107. Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

108. I do not want a friend Who smiles when I smile Who weeps when I weep For my shadow in the pool Can do better than that.

109. To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

110. To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.

111. The man of noble mind seeks to achieve the good in others and not their evil. The little-minded man is the reverse of this.

112. He who has really set his mind on virtue will do no evil.

113. Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbours.

114. Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!

115. Ignorance is the night of mind, a night without moon or star.

116. Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

117. -Without recognizing the ordinances of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.

118. We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

119. A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

120. An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

121. And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

122. Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

123. By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

124. He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.

125. He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

126. He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

127. Heaven means to be one with God.

128. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

129. I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the centre of your being.

130. If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

131. If we don't know life, how can we know death?

132. If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

133. If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.

134. If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.

135. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

136. It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.

137. It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

138. It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.

139. Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.

140. No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

141. Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

142. The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

143. The superior man makes the difficulty to be overcome his first interest; success only comes later.

144. The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

145. There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

146. When we see persons of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

147. When you are labouring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

148. When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know

Chinese Proverbs & Old Chinese Sayings

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