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Ancient Chinese Proverb: Someone has rightly said in Chinese “A fall into a ditch makes you wiser” which means that failure is the mother of success. Well, so are proverbs they are short sayings which teach us valuable life lessons. These sayings have been passed down through traditions by people which easily relate with our daily situations. With so many benefits, why should you stay behind? So, we have compiled several ancient Chinese proverbs — both famous and timeless to help you out, continue reading this blog.
This Blog Includes:
- History Behind Chinese Proverbs
- Famous Ancient Chinese Proverb You Must Know
- Your Teacher Can Open the Door But You Must Enter By Yourself
- Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness
- Distance Tests a Horse’s Strength. Time Reveals a Person’s Character
- A Single Conversation With a Wise Man is Worth a Month’s Study of Books
- The Temptation to Quit Will Be Greatest Just Before You Are About To Succeed
- Silence is a Source of Great Strength
- If You Survived a Storm You Won’t Be Bothered By the Rain
- The Glory is Never in Falling But in Rising Every Time You Fall
- Timeless Ancient Chinese Proverbs About Wisdom
- A Bird Does Not Sing Because He Has the Answer to Something, He Sings Because He Has a Song
- It is Difficult To Catch a Black Cat In a Dark Room Especially When It’s Not There
- All Cats Love Fish But Fear to Wet Their Paws
- Charity Is Not a Bone You Throw To a Dog, But a Bone You Share With a Dog
- The Swing Of a Sword Cannot Cut the Mist From the Sky
- Beware a Dagger Hidden in a Smile
- A Tiger Does Not Take Insults From Sheep
Learn All about Proverbs Here!
History Behind Chinese Proverbs
Chinese proverbs (also known as Chinese idioms) are sayings which have originated from famous Chinese philosophers and writers. Chinese proverbs, often rooted in folklore, history, and philosophy, reflect the rich cultural and historical heritage of China. To give you a better idea, we have compiled a list of several ancient Chinese proverb with meanings
Famous Ancient Chinese Proverb You Must Know
Here are some of the famous ancient Chinese proverbs which talk about how you can deal with several situations in your life simply by looking at these proverbs.
| Ancient Chinese Proverb | Meaning |
| Be not afraid of going slowly | This proverbial expression is a powerful reminder that progress, no matter how slow, is preferable to stagnation. It promotes a mindset of continuous improvement, patience, and resilience. |
| Learning is a treasure | It encapsulates the immense value of knowledge and education. It enriches the mind and soul, providing benefits far beyond material wealth. |
| Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime | It conveys a powerful message about self-sufficiency and the long-term benefits of education and skill development. |
| Be afraid only of standing still | It emphasises the importance of continuous progress and warns against the dangers of stagnation. |
| Opportunity knocks but once | It highlights the importance of recognising and seizing opportunities when they present themselves |
11+ Chinese Proverbs About Success with Meaning
Your Teacher Can Open the Door But You Must Enter By Yourself
This proverbial expression underscores the importance of personal initiative, effort, and responsibility in the learning process. It promotes self-directed learning, personal initiative, and accountability, which are essential qualities for success not only in education but also in various aspects of life.
Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness
This proverb implies the idea of taking positive action rather than focusing on the negative aspects of a situation. It promotes a problem-solving mindset, encouraging individuals to focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
Distance Tests a Horse’s Strength. Time Reveals a Person’s Character
Another interesting proverb talks about the idea that challenges and the passage of time are essential in revealing true capabilities and qualities. By enduring challenges and allowing time to unfold, individuals can demonstrate their strength and authenticity, both to themselves and to others.
A Single Conversation With a Wise Man is Worth a Month’s Study of Books
This proverbial expression highlights the transformative power of meaningful dialogue and interpersonal connections in acquiring wisdom and knowledge. While books are valuable sources of information, personal interactions with wise individuals offer unique insights, experiences, and perspectives that can enrich one’s understanding and contribute to personal growth.
The Temptation to Quit Will Be Greatest Just Before You Are About To Succeed
This proverb conveys the idea that when facing challenges or pursuing goals, the urge to give up may intensify right before reaching a breakthrough or achieving success. By recognising that moments of doubt or difficulty are often indicators of nearing success, individuals can persevere with confidence and continue on their path toward achieving their goals.
Silence is a Source of Great Strength
It highlights the power and significance of quietude and introspection. The phrase suggests that finding peace and tranquillity in silence can cultivate inner strength and resilience. It implies that in moments of stillness, individuals can tap into their inner resources and find clarity and resolve.
If You Survived a Storm You Won’t Be Bothered By the Rain
It conveys the idea that overcoming significant challenges in life builds resilience and perspective, making smaller obstacles or inconveniences seem less daunting.
The Glory is Never in Falling But in Rising Every Time You Fall
This proverb emphasizes the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It further suggests that true strength and glory are not found in avoiding failure altogether but in how one responds to setbacks.
Timeless Ancient Chinese Proverbs About Wisdom
What could be better than getting your hands on some timeless proverbs which will be suitable for you. Below are some more ancient Chinese proverbs for you.
A Bird Does Not Sing Because He Has the Answer to Something, He Sings Because He Has a Song
This famous proverb has been famously quoted by Maya Angelou who is an American memoirist and poet. This proverb often encapsulates the idea that expression, creativity, and joy are innate aspects of being, rather than responses to external stimuli or problems to be solved.
It is Difficult To Catch a Black Cat In a Dark Room Especially When It’s Not There
This proverb was said by Confucius, it highlights the absurdity of searching for something that may not even exist or be present in the first place. It encourages individuals to approach situations with scepticism and to verify the validity of the object before investing time and effort in pursuit.
All Cats Love Fish But Fear to Wet Their Paws
This proverbial expression conveys the idea that individuals may desire something desirable or advantageous, yet they are reluctant to take the necessary risks or make the effort to attain it.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of compassion, generosity, and mutual benefit in acts of charity. It suggests that charity should not be a condescending act where one person gives to another out of pity or superiority.
The Swing Of a Sword Cannot Cut the Mist From the Sky
It conveys the idea that there are limitations to human power and action, particularly when it comes to influencing or altering natural phenomena beyond our control. It serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent limitations of human power and action, particularly when it comes to influencing or altering the natural world.
Another interesting proverb, warns against the deceitful intentions that may be concealed beneath a friendly or amiable demeanor. By remaining vigilant and trusting one’s instincts, individuals can better protect themselves from potential harm or deception, ensuring their well-being and safety in various aspects of life.
A Tiger Does Not Take Insults From Sheep
This proverb suggests that individuals of great strength, power, or confidence do not feel threatened or affected by the opinions or actions of those who are weaker or inferior to them.
Find more Proverbs below!
This was all about ancient Chinese proverbs. Hope you understand the concept and know how to proceed. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to grammar.
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