China Proverbs (10)

Traditional proverbs of China in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

千里之行，始于足下

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Great undertakings are accomplished by starting with a single small action.

cn-tradition

Source: Laozi, Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing), ch. 64, circa 4th century BCE

学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆

“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”

Study and reflection must go together to gain true understanding.

cn-tradition

Source: Confucius, The Analects (Lunyu), Book II, circa 5th century BCE

己所不欲，勿施于人

“Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.”

Treat others with the same consideration you would wish for yourself.

cn-tradition

Source: Confucius, The Analects (Lunyu), Book XV, circa 5th century BCE

塞翁失马，焉知非福

“When the old frontiersman lost his horse, who could know it was not a blessing?”

Apparent misfortune may turn out to be good luck, and vice versa.

cn-tradition

Source: Huainanzi, compiled under Liu An, 2nd century BCE

知己知彼，百战不殆

“Know yourself and know your enemy, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.”

Thorough knowledge of both sides ensures success in any conflict.

cn-tradition

Source: Sun Tzu, The Art of War (Sunzi Bingfa), circa 5th century BCE

三人行，必有我师焉

“Among any three people walking together, one can surely be my teacher.”

There is something to learn from everyone around you.

cn-tradition

Source: Confucius, The Analects (Lunyu), Book VII, circa 5th century BCE

温故而知新

“Reviewing the old, one learns the new.”

Revisiting past knowledge yields fresh understanding.

cn-tradition

Source: Confucius, The Analects (Lunyu), Book II, circa 5th century BCE

水滴石穿

“Dripping water wears through stone.”

Persistent, small efforts can accomplish great things over time.

cn-tradition

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, derived from Han-era texts (Hanshu / Luo Dajing's Helin Yulu)

不入虎穴，焉得虎子

“Without entering the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cubs?”

Great rewards require taking real risks.

cn-tradition

Source: Book of the Later Han (Hou Han Shu), Biography of Ban Chao, 5th century CE

授人以鱼不如授人以渔

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Teaching a skill is more valuable than giving a one-time solution.

cn-tradition

Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, oral tradition (concept echoed in Huainanzi and Laozi)