Wisdom of the Chinese

Chinese Proverbs

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


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


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


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


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


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

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

  "Pray to God, but keep rowing towards the shore."


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


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


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

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

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

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

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

"Silence is the true friend that never betrays."

"A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers."