Chinese Proverbs

Some more Chinese proverbs, because we all like to open the fortune cookies, and the chinese have a way of sayings things that gives us tidbits of wisdom all the time.

An ant may well destroy a whole dam.

There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same

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.

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

The palest ink is better than the sharpest memory

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

When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy

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

On reason: A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.

To persecute the unfortunate is like throwing stones on one fallen into a well

On Cause and effect: If the wind comes from an empty cave, it’s not without a reason.

On reputations: A person needs a face; a tree needs bark.

See the wind, turn the rudder.

If you’re poor, change and you’ll succeed.

Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.

Not only can water float a boat, it can sink it also.

The absence of proof is not the proof of absence.

The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to the pitcher

Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.

Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.

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