Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings about love and life
Nothing lost in translation here, you must read these Chinese proverbs ASAP!
March 17, 2023 5:58 AM EST
Our collection of wise Chinese sayings about love and life are still as powerful today as they were in ancient times.
If you’re looking for words of encouragement to help keep you on your path, these Chinese proverbs are exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Chinese proverbs can be taken from literary works, social expressions, as well as sayings from both famous people and common folk.
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According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world, with over 1 billion speakers.
This makes Chinese proverbs and quotes a valuable resource for cross-cultural communication and understanding.
It can be difficult to translate them, as most can seem funny or nonsensical at first (e.g. “The friendship of a gentleman is insipid as water.”).
But once you understand their true meaning, they can convey plenty of truth and wisdom.
We hope these Chinese proverbs and quotes help motivate you through some of life’s most demanding times.
Don’t forget to also check out these Rumi quotes that will expand your mind in ways you never knew.
If you love this quote collection, read out our most popular quote article about short inspirational quotes for daily motivation.
If you need more inspirational quotes, check out our motivational quotes category page.
Great Chinese proverbs about life and patience
A study by the University of Southern California found that bilingualism, particularly in Mandarin Chinese and English, can have cognitive benefits, including improved executive function and attentional control.
This means that reading and understanding Chinese proverbs and quotes in their original language may offer additional cognitive benefits beyond their wisdom content.
1. “To believe in one’s dreams is to spend all of one’s life asleep.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-1.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on wise sayings.
2. “He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-2.jpg)
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3. “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-3.jpg)
If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to read our collection of planning quotes to help you take control of your life.
4. “If your strength is small, don’t carry heavy burdens. If your words are worthless, don’t give advice.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-4.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on quotes about education.
5. “If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” – Chinese Proverb
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6. “Man’s schemes are inferior to those made by heaven.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-6-800x800.jpg)
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7. “A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows the public opinion.” – Chinese Proverb
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8. “Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.” – Chinese Proverb
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9. “A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-9.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on farmer quotes.
10. “If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings Chinese proverbs, quotes, and sayings](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-10.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on famous quotes by famous people.
Inspiring Chinese proverbs on learning and education
A study by the University of California, Riverside found that exposure to Chinese culture, including its proverbs and traditional beliefs, can improve cognitive flexibility and creativity.
This is because Chinese culture places a high value on metaphorical thinking and the use of analogies to convey complex ideas.
11. “A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-11.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on quotes about losing a loved one.
12. “A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-12.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on motivational quotes for kids.
13. “A book holds a house of gold.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-13.jpg)
You will also enjoy our article on learning quotes and sayings.
14. “A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-14.jpg)
15. “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.” – Chinese Proverb
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16. “A filthy mouth will not utter decent language.” – Chinese Proverb
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17. “A fool judges people by the presents they give him.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-17.jpg)
18. “A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-18.jpg)
19. “A nation’s treasure is in its scholars.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-19.jpg)
20. “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs on learning and education Chinese proverbs on learning and education](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-20.jpg)
You might also like these wise Native American quotes on community, respect, and more.
Chinese proverbs about friendship
21. “A man should choose a friend who is better than himself. There are plenty of acquaintances in the world; but very few real friends.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs about friendship Chinese proverbs about friendship](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-21.jpg)
22. “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.” – Chinese Proverb
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23. “Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs about friendship Chinese proverbs about friendship](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-23.jpg)
24. “Pearls don’t lie on the seashore. If you want one, you must dive for it.” – Chinese Proverb
![Chinese proverbs about friendship Chinese proverbs about friendship](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-24-1-800x800.jpg)
25. “Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself.” – Chinese Proverb
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26. “The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Chinese Proverb
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27. “With true friends…even water drunk together is sweet enough.” – Chinese Proverb
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28. “If you stand straight, do not fear a crooked shadow.” – Chinese Proverb
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29. “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb
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30. “Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.” – Chinese Proverb
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Famous Chinese proverbs about love
31. “Love is not about possession, it’s all about appreciation.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about love Famous Chinese proverbs about love](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-31.jpg)
32. “After you’ is good manners.” – Chinese Proverb
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33. “A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody. – Chinese Proverb
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34. “Love at first sight. It’s generally used for people, but you can also use it for other physical objects.” – Chinese Proverb
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35. “Coming events cast their shadows before them.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about life Famous Chinese proverbs about life](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-35.jpg)
36. “All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about life Famous Chinese proverbs about life](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-36.jpg)
37. “A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about life Famous Chinese proverbs about life](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-37.jpg)
38. “A good book is a good friend.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about books Famous Chinese proverbs about books](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-38.jpg)
39. “Time is money, and it is difficult for one to use money to get time.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about money Famous Chinese proverbs about money](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-39.jpg)
40. “Opportunity knocks at the door only once.” – Chinese Proverb
![Famous Chinese proverbs about life Famous Chinese proverbs about life](images/chinese-proverbs-quotes-40.jpg)
Inspirational Chinese proverbs that will make you think
41. “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” – Chinese Proverb
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42. “To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root.” – Chinese Proverb
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43. “Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.” – Chinese Proverb
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44. “Outside noisy, inside empty.” – Chinese Proverb
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45. “To talk much and arrive nowhere is the same as climbing a tree to catch a fish.” – Chinese Proverb
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46. “One generation plants the trees, and another gets the shade.” – Chinese Proverb
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47. “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.” – Chinese Proverb
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48. “He who depends on himself will attain the greatest happiness.” – Chinese Proverb
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49. “If you don’t want anyone to know it, don’t do it.” – Chinese Proverb
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50. “Be not disturbed at being misunderstood; be disturbed rather at not being understanding.” – Chinese Proverb
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Wise Chinese proverbs
51. “A little impatience will spoil great plans.” – Chinese Proverb
52. “Talk does not cook rice.” – Chinese Proverb
53. “A man who cannot tolerate small misfortunes can never accomplish great things.” – Chinese Proverb
54. “Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” – Chinese Proverb
55. “If you want to find out about the road ahead, then ask about it from those coming back.” – Chinese Proverb
56. “One meal won’t make a fat man.” – Chinese Proverb
57. “Clothing is cherishable when new, but relationship when old.” – Chinese Proverb
58. “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” – Chinese Proverb
59. “Opportunity knocks at the door only once.” – Chinese Proverb
60. “Do not choose the one you don’t trust and trust the one you chose.” – Chinese Proverb
Other wise Chinese proverbs to inspire and teach
61. “All things change, and we change with them.” – Chinese Proverb
62. “There are two kinds of perfect people: those who are dead, and those who have not been born yet.” – Chinese Proverb
63. “He who cheats the earth will be cheated by the earth.” – Chinese Proverb
64. “A single conversation with a wise man is worth a month’s study of books.”- Chinese Proverb
65. “He who thinks too much about every step he takes will always stay on one leg.” – Chinese Proverb
66. “Listening well is as powerful as talking well, and is also as essential to true conversation.” – Chinese Proverb
If you’re enjoying these quotes, you’ll love our collection of listening quotes that express the importance of listening.
67. “Genius can be recognized by its childish simplicity.” – Chinese Proverb
68. “Even a hare will bite when it is cornered.” – Chinese Proverb
69. “Your teacher can open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”- Chinese Proverb
70. “Distant water does not put out a nearby fire.” – Chinese Proverb
71. “A closed mind is like a closed book; just a block of wood.” – Chinese Proverb
72. “Distance tests a horse’s strength. Time reveals a person’s character.” – Chinese Proverb
73. “Better the cottage where one is merry than the palace where one weeps.” – Chinese Proverb
74. “Do not afraid of moving slowly. Be afraid of standing still.”- Chinese Proverb
75. “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”- Chinese Proverb
More Chinese proverbs
76. “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” – Chinese Proverb
77. “When the wind of change blows, some people build walls, others build windmills.” – Chinese Proverb
78. “He who is afraid of suffering is already suffering fear. Out of fear, true creativity is blocked.” – Chinese Proverb
79. “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. But if you give him a fishing rod, you feed him for a lifetime.” – Chinese Proverb
80. “At the gambling table, there are no fathers and sons.” – Chinese Proverb
81. “Keep a green tree alive in your heart, and a songbird may come to sing there.” – Chinese Proverb
82. “To use violence is to already be defeated.” – Chinese Proverb
83. “If you are in the business of revenge, then you better dig two graves.” – Chinese Proverb
84. “If Heaven made him – earth can find use for him.” – Chinese Proverb
85. “If you want to know what water is don’t ask the fish.” – Chinese proverb
Chinese proverbs to motivate you
86. “A little fragrance always clings to the hand that gives the roses.” – Chinese proverb
87. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb
88. “A man without a smiling face must not open a shop.” – Chinese proverb
89. “Dig the well before you are thirsty.” – Chinese proverb
90. “Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.” – Chinese proverb
91. “Habits are cobwebs at first; chains at last.” – Chinese proverb
92. “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at time, but we must keep stepping.” – Chinese proverb
93. “I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I write and I understand.” – Chinese proverb
94. “Don’t fear moving slowly. Fear standing still.” – Chinese proverb
95. “One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.” – Chinese proverb
More Chinese proverb quotes to help you live life
96. “Facts beat eloquence.” — Chinese Proverbs
97. “Repay good with good.” — Chinese Proverbs
98. “Good medicine tastes bitter.” — Chinese Proverbs
99. “Two benefits from one action.” — Chinese Proverbs
100. “Replace weapons with jade and silk.” — Chinese Proverbs
101. “Food is the first priority of the people.” — Chinese Proverbs
102. “When adversity comes, receive it favorably.” — Chinese Proverbs
103. “Small as it is, the sparrow has all the vital organs.” — Chinese Proverbs
104. “A person leaves a reputation, as a swallow leaves its call.” — Chinese Proverbs
105. “Ten years to cultivate wood, a hundred years to cultivate a man.” — Chinese Proverbs
Chinese Proverbs Quotes To Fill You With Wisdom
106. “He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” ― Chinese Proverb
107. “The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.” ― Chinese Proverb
108. “If you always give, you will always have.” ― Chinese Proverb
109. “He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left.” ― Chinese Proverb
110. “Don’t listen to what they say. Go see.” ― Chinese Proverb
111. “True knowledge is when one knows the limitations of one’s knowledge.” ― Chinese Proverb
112. “We count our miseries carefully, and accept our blessings without much thought.” ― Chinese Proverb
113. “Control your emotions or they will control you.” ― Chinese Proverb
114. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” ― Chinese Proverb
115. “Your teacher can open the door but you must enter by yourself.” ― Chinese Proverb
Funny Chinese Proverbs Quotes
116. “Learning is a weightless treasure you can always carry easily.” — Chinese Proverb
117. “Do everything at the right time, and one day will seem like three.” — Chinese Proverb
118. “Solve one problem, and you keep a hundred others away.” — Chinese Proverb
119. “It is easy to open a store – the hard part is keeping it open.” — Chinese Proverb
120. “To be totally at leisure for one day is to be immortal for one day.” — Chinese Proverb
121. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” — Chinese Proverb
122. “Before preparing to improve the world, first look around your own home three times.” — Chinese Proverb
123. “I was angered, for I had no shoes. Then I met a man who had no feet.” — Chinese Proverb
124. “Married couples tell each other a thousand things without speech.” — Chinese Proverb
125. “If you want to avoid being cheated, ask for prices at three different stores.” — Chinese Proverb
Did you enjoy these wise Chinese proverbs?
Just because cultures vary, doesn’t mean we can’t learn from one another.
The Chinese have centuries of wisdom gleaned from greats, such as Confucius and Sun Yat-sen.
They also have an interesting take on things – and it is this difference in perspective that makes discovering these Chinese proverbs all the more fascinating.
If you liked them, don’t forget to share on social media!
Thembo Oscar.
May 20, 2020 at 11:17 AM
thank you for the teaching.
David Junior
April 16, 2020 at 1:26 PM
This is true wisdow in our daily lives.Thank you for sharing your knowlege beyond borders
Nicola
June 18, 2019 at 12:46 AM
Is there an equivalent proverb to: “too many chiefs and not enough Indians”
in Chinese?
Damien Thomas
January 22, 2019 at 12:36 PM
These are a great collection of Chinese Proverbs. Thank you Jeffrey.
gopalkrishna bk
December 24, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Really chinese proverbs are more impressive and more practical in life.