增广贤文 - 《《增广贤文》中英双语》 - 在线阅读，在线朗读，影子跟读，长难句分析

xī shí xián wén
昔时贤文，
Wise words from the past,

huì rǔ zhūn zhūn
诲汝谆谆，
Patiently teach you over and over,

jí yùn zēng guǎng
集韵增广，
Expanding knowledge through collected rhymes,

duō jiàn duō wén
多见多闻。
The more you see, the more you hear.

guān jīn yí jiàn gǔ
观今宜鉴古，
Observe the present to reflect upon the past,

wú gǔ bù chéng jīn
无古不成今。
Without history, the present is not achieved.

zhī jǐ zhī bǐ
知己知彼，
Know yourself and know others,

jiāng xīn bǐ xīn
将心比心。
Heart to heart, we compare thoughts.

jiǔ féng zhī jǐ yǐn
酒逢知己饮，
With friends, we drink,

shī xiàng huì rén yín
诗向会人吟。
Among poets, we recite.

xiāng shí mǎn tiān xià
相识满天下，
Friendships span the world,

zhī xīn néng jǐ rén
知心能几人。
But who truly knows your heart?

xiāng féng hǎo sì chū xiāng shí
相逢好似初相识，
Meeting as if for the first time,

dào lǎo zhōng wú yuàn hèn xīn
到老终无怨恨心。
Yet no grudges as we age.

jìn shuǐ zhī yú xìng
近水知鱼性，
By the water, one understands the fish,

jìn shān shí niǎo yīn
近山识鸟音。
By the mountains, one recognizes the birds’ calls.

yì zhǎng yì tuì shān xī shuǐ
易涨易退山溪水，
Mountain streams, easy to swell, easy to recede,

yì fǎn yì fù xiǎo rén xīn
易反易覆小人心。
The hearts of the petty, easy to flip, easy to overturn.

yùn qù jīn chéng tiě
运去金成铁，
Fortune fades, gold turns to iron,

shí lái tiě sì jīn
时来铁似金，
With timing, iron shines like gold.

dú shū xū yòng yì
读书须用意，
To read requires full intent,

yī zì zhí qiān jīn
一字值千金。
Each character worth a fortune spent.

féng rén qiě shuō sān fēn huà
逢人且说三分话，
Speak your part yet hold some back,

wèi kě quán pāo yī piàn xīn
未可全抛一片心。
Never give your heart full slack.

yǒu yì zāi huā huā bù fā
有意栽花花不发，
Flowers, though tended, may not bloom,

wú xīn chā liǔ liǔ chéng yīn
无心插柳柳成阴。
Willows planted without care, in shadow loom.

huà hǔ huà pí nán huà gǔ
画虎画皮难画骨，
To draw a tiger, fur’s less hard than bone,

zhī rén zhī miàn bù zhī xīn
知人知面不知心。
We see the face, not the heart alone.

qián cái rú fèn tǔ
钱财如粪土，
Wealth is as dirt to treasure true,

rén yì zhí qiān jīn
仁义值千金。
Benevolence and righteousness forever hold their value.

liú shuǐ xià tān fēi yǒu yì
流水下滩非有意，
Water flows down ledges with no intent,

bái yún chū xiù běn wú xīn
白云出岫本无心。
Clouds from peaks naturally ascent.

dāng shí ruò bù dēng gāo wàng
当时若不登高望，
Had we not climbed to take the view,

shuí xìn dōng liú hǎi yáng shēn
谁信东流海洋深。
Who’d believe the sea’s vastness from the rivers’ flow?

lù yáo zhī mǎ lì
路遥知马力，
Distance reveals the horse’s stead,

rì jiǔ jiàn rén xīn
日久见人心。
Time will show what’s in the heart, unsaid.

liǎng rén yì bān xīn
两人一般心，
When two share the same desires,

wú qián kān mǎi jīn
无钱堪买金，
Without money, gold one acquires.

yì rén yì bān xīn
一人一般心，
When alone with separate minds,

yǒu qián nán mǎi zhēn
有钱难买针。
With money one can’t buy a needed needle.

xiāng jiàn yì dé hǎo
相见易得好，
Meeting is easy, a good relationship is hard.

jiǔ zhù nán wéi rén
久住难为人。
Prolonged stay makes it tough to be a good person.

mǎ xíng wú lì jiē yīn shòu
马行无力皆因瘦，
A horse lacks strength all due to being underfed.

rén bù fēng liú zhǐ wèi pín
人不风流只为贫。
A man isn’t dashing merely because he’s poor.

ráo rén bú shì chī hàn
饶人不是痴汉，
Forgiving others doesn’t make one foolish.

chī hàn bú huì ráo rén
痴汉不会饶人。
A fool won’t know how to forgive.

shì qīn bú shì qīn
是亲不是亲，
Kin by blood is not always kin,

fēi qīn què shì qīn
非亲却是亲。
And those not related can be closer than kin.

měi bù měi ， xiāng zhōng shuǐ
美不美，乡中水，
Whether it’s beautiful or not, it’s the water of my hometown.

qīn bù qīn ， gù xiāng rén
亲不亲，故乡人。
Kin or not, everyone hails from a hometown.

yīng huā yóu pà chūn guāng lǎo
莺花犹怕春光老，
With spring in full bloom, even the orioles and flowers fear its passing.

qǐ kě jiào rén wǎng dù chūn
岂可教人枉度春。
How could one let the springtime pass in vain?

xiāng féng bù yǐn kōng guī qù
相逢不饮空归去，
To meet without drinking is to return home with regret.

dòng kǒu táo huā yě xiào rén
洞口桃花也笑人。
Even the peach blossoms at the cave’s mouth would laugh at such folly.

hóng fěn jiā rén xiū shǐ lǎo
红粉佳人休使老，
Don’t let the beautiful lady with rouge grow old in waiting,

fēng liú làng zǐ mò jiào pín
风流浪子莫教贫。
Nor the carefree lad become poor by fate.

zài jiā bú huì yíng bīn kè
在家不会迎宾客，
Those who don’t welcome guests when at home,

chū wài fāng zhī shǎo zhǔ rén
出外方知少主人。
Will learn their lack of hosts when they roam.

huáng jīn wú jiǎ
黄金无假，
Gold can’t be counterfeited,

ā wèi wú zhēn
阿魏无真。
While no true value in fool’s parsley is merited.

kè lái zhǔ bù gù
客来主不顾，
If the host neglects the visiting guest,

yīng kǒng shì chī rén
应恐是痴人。
They must fear being branded a fool at best.

pín jū nào shì wú rén wèn
贫居闹市无人问，
In a bustling market, the poor man goes unnoticed,

fù zài shēn shān yǒu yuǎn qīn
富在深山有远亲。
Yet in the mountains deep, a rich man finds distant kin so devoted.

shuí rén bèi hòu wú rén shuō
谁人背后无人说，
Who can say they’ve never been spoken of behind their back,

něi gè rén qián bù shuō rén
哪个人前不说人。
Or in front of others, refrained from slanderous attack?

yǒu qián dào zhēn yǔ
有钱道真语，
With money, one speaks truth unguarded and bold.

wú qián yǔ bù zhēn
无钱语不真。
Without wealth, words lack truth.

bù xìn dàn kàn yán zhōng jiǔ
不信但看筵中酒，
Doubt it not, but observe the feast’s wine;

bēi bēi xiān quàn yǒu qián rén
杯杯先劝有钱人。
Cup after cup, first offered to the wealthy ones.

nào shì yǒu qián
闹市有钱，
In bustling markets, with money you stand,

jìng chù ān shēn
静处安身。
In tranquility, comfortably you reside.

lái rú fēng yǔ
来如风雨，
Arrive like wind and rain,

qù sì wēi chén
去似微尘。
Depart like the faintest of dust.

cháng jiāng hòu làng tuī qián làng
长江后浪推前浪，
The Yangtze’s latter waves push the former on,

shì shàng xīn rén huàn jiù rén
世上新人换旧人。
In the world, new people replace the old.

jìn shuǐ lóu tái xiān dé yuè
近水楼台先得月，
Those by the water’s pavilion first receive the moonlight,

xiàng yáng huā mù yì wéi chūn
向阳花木易为春。
Flowers facing the sun bloom earliest in spring.

gǔ rén bú jiàn jīn shí yuè
古人不见今时月，
The ancients no longer see today’s moon,

jīn yuè céng jīng zhào gǔ rén
今月曾经照古人。
The moon once shone upon the ancients.

xiān dào wèi jūn
先到为君，
Arriving first makes you the master,

hòu dào wèi chén
后到为臣。
Arriving late turns you into a subject.

mò dào jūn xíng zǎo
莫道君行早，
Don’t complain about an early departure,

gèng yǒu zǎo xíng rén
更有早行人。
There are others who set off even earlier.

mò xìn zhí zhōng zhí
莫信直中直，
Don’t trust straightforwardness entirely,

xū fáng rén bù rén
须防仁不仁。
One must beware when kindness is not sincere.

shān zhōng yǒu zhí shù
山中有直树，
In the mountains stand straight trees,

shì shàng wú zhí rén
世上无直人。
In the world, there are no men of pure honesty.

zì hèn zhī wú yè
自恨枝无叶，
Should the branch lament its lack of leaves,

mò yuàn tài yáng piān
莫怨太阳偏。
Let it not resent the sun for its bias.

wàn bān jiē yóu mìng
万般皆由命，
All things are determined by fate,

bàn diǎn bù yóu rén
半点不由人。
And not a speck is up to us.

yī nián zhī jì zài yú chūn
一年之计在于春，
The plan for a year lies in spring,

yī rì zhī jì zài yú yín
一日之计在于寅。
The plan for a day begins at dawn.

yī jiā zhī jì zài yú hé
一家之计在于和，
The harmony of a household lies in unity,

yī shēng zhī jì zài yú qín
一生之计在于勤。
The plan for a lifetime is in diligence.

zé rén zhī xīn zé jǐ
责人之心责己，
Judge others with the same heart you judge yourself,

shù jǐ zhī xīn shù rén
恕己之心恕人。
Forgive yourself with the same heart you forgive others.

shǒu kǒu rú píng
守口如瓶，
Guard your words as closely as a sealed bottle,

fáng yì rú chéng
防意如城。
Protect your intentions as if fortifying a city.

nìng kě rén fù wǒ
宁可人负我，
Better to be wronged by others,

qiè mò wǒ fù rén
切莫我负人。
Than to wrong them yourself.

zài sān xū shèn yì
再三须慎意，
Be thrice as cautious in your actions,

dì yī mò qī xīn
第一莫欺心。
And let not your own heart deceive you first.

hǔ shēng yóu kě jìn
虎生犹可近，
A tiger, though fierce, may still be approached,

rén shú bù kān qīn
人熟不堪亲。
But a man too familiar may not be endearing.

lái shuō shì fēi zhě
来说是非者，
Those who come to speak of right and wrong,

biàn shì shì fēi rén
便是是非人。
Convenience is not a measure of kinship.

yuǎn shuǐ nán jiù jìn huǒ
远水难救近火，
Distant water cannot quench the fire at hand,

yuǎn qīn bù rú jìn lín
远亲不如近邻。
A distant relative isn’t as helpful as a close neighbor.

yǒu chá yǒu jiǔ duō xiōng dì
有茶有酒多兄弟，
With tea and wine, one finds many brethren,

jí nàn hé zēng jiàn yī rén
急难何曾见一人。
But in a time of crisis, hardly one shows up.

rén qíng sì zhǐ zhāng zhāng báo
人情似纸张张薄，
Human affection is as thin as a sheet of paper,

shì shì rú qí jú jú xīn
世事如棋局局新。
And worldly matters are as ever-changing as a game of chess.

shān zhōng yě yǒu qiān nián shù
山中也有千年树，
Even in the mountains, ancient trees a millennium old exist,

shì shàng nán féng bǎi suì rén
世上难逢百岁人。
Yet, it’s hard to find a centenarian among men.

lì wēi xiū fù zhòng
力微休负重，
If your strength is slight, do not carry heavy burdens,

yán qīng mò quàn rén
言轻莫劝人。
If your words hold little weight, do not counsel others.

wú qián xiū rù zhòng
无钱休入众，
Without money, do not join a crowd,

zāo nàn mò xún qīn
遭难莫寻亲。
When in trouble, do not seek relatives.

píng shēng bù zuò zhòu méi shì
平生不作皱眉事，
If you never do things that make you frown,

shì shàng yīng wú qiè chǐ rén
世上应无切齿人。
There should be no one in the world you’d resent.

shì zhě guó zhī bǎo
士者国之宝，
Scholars are the treasure of a nation,

rú wèi xí shàng zhēn
儒为席上珍。
Confucians are the pearls of the gathering.

ruò yào duàn jiǔ fǎ
若要断酒法，
If you want to cut alcohol out,

xǐng yǎn kàn zuì rén
醒眼看醉人。
Observe the drunk with sober eyes.

qiú rén xū qiú yīng xióng hàn
求人须求英雄汉，
Seeking help, look for the heroic man,

jì rén xū jì jí shí wú
济人须济急时无。
To aid others, aid them when their needs are dire.

kě shí yī dī rú gān lù
渴时一滴如甘露，
A single drop when thirsty tastes like sweet dew,

zuì hòu tiān bēi bù rú wú
醉后添杯不如无。
Adding more to one’s drink when drunk is of no value.

jiǔ zhù lìng rén jiàn
久住令人贱，
Long stays breed contempt,

pín lái qīn yě shū
频来亲也疏。
Frequent visits make even relatives estrangers.

jiǔ zhōng bù yǔ zhēn jūn zi
酒中不语真君子，
Staying silent over wine is a true gentleman’s mark,

cái shàng fēn míng dà zhàng fū
财上分明大丈夫。
Being clear about money is the sign of a real man.

chū jiā rú chū
出家如初，
Starting as if just left home,

chéng fó yǒu yú
成佛有余。
One has excess for achieving Buddhahood.

jī jīn qiān liǎng
积金千两，
Accumulating a thousand taels of gold,

bù rú míng jiě jīng shū
不如明解经书。
Is less than understanding the scriptures fully.

yǎng zǐ bù jiào rú yǎng lǘ
养子不教如养驴，
Raising a son without discipline is like raising a donkey,

yǎng nǚ bù jiào rú yǎng zhū
养女不教如养猪。
Raising a daughter without guidance is like raising a pig.

yǒu tián bù gēng cāng lǐn xū
有田不耕仓廪虚，
Owning fields but not plowing, the granary will be empty,

yǒu shū bù dú zǐ sūn yú
有书不读子孙愚。
Owning books but not reading, descendants will be ignorant.

cāng lǐn xū xī suì yuè fá
仓廪虚兮岁月乏，
An empty granary brings hardship over years and months,

zǐ sūn yú xī lǐ yì shū
子孙愚兮礼义疏。
Ignorant descendants neglect rituals and righteousness.

tīng jūn yī xí huà
听君一席话，
Listening to you for a moment,

shèng dú shí nián shū
胜读十年书。
Is worth more than ten years of study.

rén bù tōng gǔ jīn
人不通今古，
Without knowledge of both past and present,

mǎ niú rú jīn jū
马牛如襟裾。
One is no better than beasts of burden.

máng máng sì hǎi rén wú shù
茫茫四海人无数，
In this vast world, people are countless,

nǎ gè nán ér shì zhàng fu
哪个男儿是丈夫？
Who among the men truly stands out?

bái jiǔ niàng chéng yuán hào kè
白酒酿成缘好客，
Homemade liquor signifies hospitality,

huáng jīn sàn jìn wéi shī shū
黄金散尽为收书。
Spending all one’s gold to amass books.

jiù rén yí mìng
救人一命，
Saving a life

shèng zào qī jí fú tú
胜造七级浮屠。
Is more meritorious than building a seven-tiered pagoda.

chéng mén shī huǒ
城门失火，
When the city gates catch fire,

yāng jí chí yú
殃及池鱼。
The fish in the moat suffer.

tíng qián shēng ruì cǎo
庭前生瑞草，
Auspicious grasses growing before the courtyard,

hào shì bù rú wú
好事不如无。
It’s better for some good things not to happen.

yù qiú shēng fù guì
欲求生富贵，
To seek to live in wealth and honor,

xū xià sǐ gōng fū
须下死工夫。
One must be prepared to work tirelessly.

bǎi nián chéng zhī bù zú
百年成之不足，
A hundred years of building may not suffice,

yí dàn bài zhī yǒu yú
一旦败之有余。
But a single day can bring ruin.

rén xīn sì tiě
人心似铁，
The human heart is like iron,

guān fǎ rú lú
官法如炉。
While the laws are like the furnace.

shàn huà bù zú
善化不足，
Goodness insufficiently fostered,

è huà yǒu yú
恶化有余。
Evil amply prevails.

shuǐ zhì qīng zé wú yú
水至清则无鱼，
Waters too pure lack fish,

rén zhì chá zé wú tú
人至察则无徒。
People too scrutinized have no disciples.

zhī zhě jiǎn bàn
知者减半，
The knowing cut by half,

shěng zhě quán wú
省者全无。
The thrifty entirely gone.

zài jiā yóu fù
在家由父，
At home, one follows the father,

chū jià cóng fū
出嫁从夫。
Married off, one follows the husband.

chī rén wèi fù
痴人畏妇，
Fools fear their wives,

xián nǚ jìng fū
贤女敬夫。
Virtuous women respect their husbands.

shì fēi zhōng rì yǒu
是非终日有，
Disputes are endless day by day,

bù tīng zì rán wú
不听自然无。
Ignore them, and they’ll naturally fade away.

zhú lí máo shè fēng guāng hǎo
竹篱茅舍风光好，
Bamboo fences and thatched cottages are pleasing sights,

dào yuàn sēng táng zhōng bù rú
道院僧堂终不如。
Still, they don’t compare to monasteries and monks’ halls.

nìng kě zhèng ér bù zú
宁可正而不足，
Better to be upright and insufficient,

bù kě xié ér yǒu yú
不可邪而有余。
Than to be crooked and have too much.

nìng kě xìn qí yǒu
宁可信其有，
Better to trust that something exists,

bù kě xìn qí wú
不可信其无。
Than to trust it does not.

mìng lǐ yǒu shí zhōng xū yǒu
命里有时终须有，
If it’s destined, in time it will be,

mìng lǐ wú shí mò qiǎng qiú
命里无时莫强求。
If not, do not force it to be.

dào yuàn yíng xiān kè
道院迎仙客，
A path to the abode invites the immortal guests,

shū táng yǐn xiāng rú
书堂隐相儒。
The study conceals learned scholars and Confucians.

tíng zāi qī fèng zhú
庭栽栖凤竹，
In the court, bamboos for phoenixes to roost are planted,

chí yǎng huà lóng yú
池养化龙鱼。
The pond nourishes fish that transform into dragons.

jié jiāo xū shèng jǐ
结交须胜己，
Making friends requires choosing better than oneself,

sì wǒ bù rú wú
似我不如无。
If they’re like me, better to be without.

dàn kàn sān wǔ rì
但看三五日，
Yet seeing them for just three to five days,

xiāng jiàn bù rú chū
相见不如初。
The next meeting feels less than the first.

rén qíng sì shuǐ fèn gāo xià
人情似水分高下，
People’s affections are like water, they separate high from low,

shì shì rú yún rèn juǎn shū
世事如云任卷舒。
Worldly affairs are like clouds, freely expanding and contracting.

huì shuō shuō dōu shì
会说说都是，
Those who can speak will say that everything is spoken for,

bú huì shuō wú lǐ
不会说无理。
Those who cannot, speak nonsense.

mó dāo hèn bù lì
磨刀恨不利，
Grinding a knife, one laments its dullness,

dāo lì shāng rén zhǐ
刀利伤人指。
A sharp knife may wound one’s own fingers.

qiú cái hèn bù duō
求财恨不多，
In seeking wealth, one laments it’s never enough,

cái duō hài zì jǐ
财多害自己。
Too much wealth may harm oneself.

zhī zú cháng zú
知足常足，
Contentment brings constant sufficiency,

zhōng shēn bù rǔ
终身不辱。
Throughout life, there’s no disgrace.

zhī zhǐ cháng zhǐ
知止常止，
Knowing when to stop brings constant restraint,

zhōng shēn bù chǐ
终身不耻。
Throughout life, there’s no shame.

yǒu fú shāng cái
有福伤财，
With fortune, money may be lost;

wú fú shāng jǐ
无福伤己。
Without fortune, one harms oneself.

chā zhī háo lí
差之毫厘，
A slight deviation at the start,

miù yǐ qiān lǐ
谬以千里。
Can lead to a thousand miles apart.

ruò dēng gāo bì zì bēi
若登高必自卑，
When ascending high, one must be humble;

ruò shè yuǎn bì zì ěr
若涉远必自迩。
When journeying far, one must come close.

sān sī ér xíng
三思而行，
Reflect thrice before you act,

zài sī kě yǐ
再思可矣。
And twice will suffice to reflect.

shǐ kǒu bù rú qīn wéi
使口不如亲为，
It’s better to do it yourself than to tell others to,

qiú rén bù rú qiú jǐ
求人不如求己。
It’s better to rely on oneself than to seek help from others.

xiǎo shí shì xiōng dì
小时是兄弟，
In youth we are brothers,

zhǎng dà gè xiāng lǐ
长大各乡里。
As adults, we’re scattered in different places.

jí cái mò jí shí
嫉财莫嫉食，
Envy not wealth, only envy food,

yuàn shēng mò yuàn sǐ
怨生莫怨死。
Blame life, but not death itself.

rén jiàn bái tóu chēn
人见白头嗔，
People frown at gray hair,

wǒ jiàn bái tóu xǐ
我见白头喜。
But I rejoice at its sight.

duō shǎo shào nián wáng
多少少年亡，
Many young ones pass away,

bú dào bái tóu sǐ
不到白头死。
Not reaching old age to die.

qiáng yǒu féng ， bì yǒu ěr
墙有逢，壁有耳。
Walls have creepers, the earthen wall has ears.

hào shì bù chū mén
好事不出门，
Good deeds stay within doors,

è shì chuán qiān lǐ
恶事传千里。
Bad news spreads a thousand miles.

zéi shì xiǎo rén
贼是小人，
Thieves are petty men,

zhì guò jūn zi
知过君子。
A gentleman knows his faults.

jūn zi gù qióng
君子固穷，
A gentleman may be poor but stands firm,

xiǎo rén qióng sī làn yǐ
小人穷斯滥矣。
A petty man in poverty resorts to recklessness.

pín qióng zì zài
贫穷自在，
Poverty brings contentment,

fù guì duō yōu
富贵多忧。
Wealth brings many worries.

bù yǐ wǒ wèi dé
不以我为德，
If not for my virtue,

fǎn yǐ wǒ wèi chóu
反以我为仇。
But instead, they take me as their enemy.

níng xiàng zhí zhōng qǔ
宁向直中取，
I’d rather take from the honest,

bù kě qǔ zhōng qiú
不可曲中求。
In seeking righteousness, there must be no compromise.

rén wú yuǎn lǜ
人无远虑，
Without long-term considerations, one cannot be a person.

bì yǒu jìn yōu
必有近忧。
One’s worries never stray far from thought.

zhī wǒ zhě wèi wǒ xīn yōu
知我者为我心忧，
Those who know me worry for my heart;

bù zhī wǒ zhě wèi wǒ hé qiú
不知我者谓我何求。
Those who don’t ask what I seek.

qíng tiān bù kěn qù
晴天不肯去，
Refusing to leave in clear skies,

zhǐ dài yǔ lín tóu
只待雨淋头。
Only to await rain pouring down.

chéng shì mò shuō
成事莫说，
Accomplishments go unsaid,

fù shuǐ nán shōu
覆水难收。
Spilled water cannot be retrieved.

shì fēi zhī wèi duō kāi kǒu
是非只为多开口，
Right and wrong arise from speaking too much,

fán nǎo jiē yīn qiáng chū tóu
烦恼皆因强出头。
Troubles come forth from trying to stand out.

rěn dé yī shí zhī qì
忍得一时之气，
Enduring a moment of anger

miǎn de bǎi rì zhī yōu
免得百日之忧。
Spares one a hundred days of sorrow.

jìn lái xué dé wū guī fǎ
近来学得乌龟法，
Lately, I’ve learned the tortoise’s technique:

dé suō tóu shí qiě suō tóu
得缩头时且缩头。
When it’s time to tuck in, tuck in your head.

jù fǎ zhāo zhāo lè
惧法朝朝乐，
Dread makes one joyous morning by morning,

qī gōng rì rì yōu
欺公日日忧。
Deceiving the lord brings daily worries.

rén shēng yī shì
人生一世，
Human life lasts but an age,

cǎo shēng yī chūn
草生一春。
Grass blooms but a single spring.

hēi fà bù zhī qín xué zǎo
黑发不知勤学早，
Dark hair not knowing to study hard early,

kàn kàn yòu shì bái tóu wēng
看看又是白头翁。
To find oneself again as an elder with white hair.

yuè dào shí wǔ guāng míng shǎo
月到十五光明少，
As the moon reaches the fifteenth, its glow diminishes,

rén dào zhōng nián wàn shì xiū
人到中年万事休。
In middle age, a person finds all endeavors rest.

ér sūn zì yǒu ér sūn fú
儿孙自有儿孙福，
Children and grandchildren will have their own fortune,

mò wèi ér sūn zuò mǎ niú
莫为儿孙作马牛。
Do not labor like horses and oxen for their sake.

rén shēng bù mǎn bǎi
人生不满百，
Life seldom reaches a hundred years,

cháng huái qiān suì yōu
常怀千岁忧。
Yet always we harbor worries for a thousand.

jīn zhāo yǒu jiǔ jīn zhāo zuì
今朝有酒今朝醉，
If there is wine today, then today we shall be drunk,

míng rì chóu lái míng rì yōu
明日愁来明日忧。
Tomorrow’s worries shall wait for tomorrow’s dawn.

lù féng xiǎn chù nán huí bì
路逢险处难回避，
On dangerous paths, it’s hard to turn and flee,

shì dào tóu lái bù zì yóu
事到头来不自由。
When things come to a head, freedom isn’t guaranteed.

yào néng yī jiǎ bìng
药能医假病，
Medicine can treat the false ailments,

jiǔ bù jiě zhēn chóu
酒不解真愁。
But wine won’t ease the genuine sorrows.

rén pín bù yǔ
人贫不语，
In poverty, one stays silent,

shuǐ píng bù liú
水平不流。
Just as still water will not flow.

yī jiā yǒu nǚ bǎi jiā qiú
一家有女百家求，
When a family has a daughter, a hundred suitors come to call,

yī mǎ bù xíng bǎi mǎ yōu
一马不行百马忧。
While a lame horse brings concern to all who own a steed.

yǒu huā fāng zhuó jiǔ
有花方酌酒，
With flowers, we eagerly pour the wine,

wú yuè bù dēng lóu
无月不登楼。
Without the moon, we decline to climb the tower.

sān bēi tōng dà dào
三杯通大道，
Three cups in, all of life’s great truths are revealed,

yī zuì jiě qiān chóu
一醉解千愁。
A single drunkenness dispels a thousand woes.

shēn shān bì jìng cáng měng hǔ
深山毕竟藏猛虎，
Deep in the mountains, after all, fierce tigers hide,

dà hǎi zhōng xū nà xì liú
大海终须纳细流。
The vast sea, in the end, must accept tiny streams.

shòu ēn shēn chù yí xiān tuì
受恩深处宜先退，
When graced with deep favor, it’s best to withdraw early,

dé yì nóng shí biàn kě xiū
得意浓时便可休。
When satisfaction runs deep, it’s time to rest.

mò dài shì fēi lái rù ěr
莫待是非来入耳，
Do not wait for right and wrong to assail your ears,

cóng qián ēn ài fǎn wèi chóu
从前恩爱反为仇。
Former kindness may inversely turn into enmity.

liú dé wǔ hú míng yuè zài
留得五湖明月在，
As long as the moon over the Five Lakes shines bright,

bù chóu wú chǔ xià jīn gōu
不愁无处下金钩。
Worry not, for there will be places to cast the golden hook.

xiū bié yǒu yú chù
休别有鱼处，
Spare the spots where fish abound,

mò liàn qiǎn tān tóu
莫恋浅滩头。
Covet not the heads of shallow sandbars.

qù shí zhōng xū qù
去时终须去，
When it’s time to go, one must leave,

zài sān liú bú zhù
再三留不住。
Again and again, you cannot be made to stay.

rěn yī jù ， xī yī nù
忍一句，息一怒，
Endure one remark, calm one anger,

ráo yī zhao ， tuì yī bù
饶一着，退一步。
Spare one move, take one step back.

sān shí bù háo
三十不豪，
Not boisterous at thirty,

sì shí bù fù
四十不富，
Not wealthy at forty,

wǔ shí jiāng lái xún sǐ lù
五十将来寻死路。
At fifty, one searches for the road to death.

shēng bú lùn hún
生不论魂，
In life, do not reckon with the soul,

sǐ bù rèn shī
死不认尸。
Death does not recognize the body.

fù mǔ ēn shēn zhōng yǒu bié
父母恩深终有别，
The kindness of parents runs deep, yet separation inevitably comes.

fū qī yì zhòng yě fēn lí
夫妻义重也分离。
The loyalty between husband and wife is paramount, but parting ways is also a reality.

rén shēng sì niǎo tóng lín sù
人生似鸟同林宿，
Life is like birds resting together in a forest;

dà xiàn lái shí gè zì fēi
大限来时各自飞。
when the end comes, each must take flight alone.

rén shàn bèi rén qī
人善被人欺，
The kind are often bullied by others,

mǎ shàn bèi rén qí
马善被人骑。
just as a good horse is often ridden by many.

rén wú hèng cái bù fù
人无横财不富，
A person does not become wealthy without unexpected fortune,

mǎ wú yè cǎo bù féi
马无夜草不肥。
nor does a horse get fat without night grazing.

rén è rén pà tiān bù pà
人恶人怕天不怕，
The wicked are feared by people but not by heaven,

rén shàn rén qī tiān bù qī
人善人欺天不欺。
the good are bullied by people, but heaven does not deceive.

shàn è dào tóu zhōng yǒu bào
善恶到头终有报，
In the end, good and evil will receive their recompense,

zhǐ zhēng lái zǎo yǔ lái chí
只争来早与来迟。
it’s merely a question of sooner or later.

huáng hé shàng yǒu chéng qīng rì
黄河尚有澄清日，
Even the Yellow River may clear up someday,

qǐ kě rén wú dé yùn shí
岂可人无得运时。
how can a person never have a turn for the better?

dé chǒng sī rǔ
得宠思辱，
When favored, contemplate disgrace;

ān jū lǜ wēi
安居虑危。
when secure, consider danger.

niàn niàn yǒu rú lín dí rì
念念有如临敌日，
Live every moment as if facing your adversary.

xīn xīn cháng sì guò qiáo shí
心心常似过桥时。
The heart is always like crossing a bridge.

yīng xióng xíng xiǎn dào
英雄行险道，
Heroes traverse the perilous path,

fù guì sì huā zhī
富贵似花枝。
Wealth and rank are as transient as a blossom’s branch.

rén qíng mò dào chūn guāng hǎo
人情莫道春光好，
Human affections, do not speak of spring’s charm,

zhǐ pà qiū lái yǒu lěng shí
只怕秋来有冷时。
Only fear the coming of autumn’s chilling time.

sòng jūn qiān lǐ
送君千里，
Sending you a thousand miles away,

zhōng xū yī bié
终须一别。
Eventually, we must part.

dàn jiāng lěng yǎn guān páng xiè
但将冷眼观螃蟹，
Just watch the crab with detached amusement,

kàn nǐ héng xíng dào jǐ shí
看你横行到几时。
See how long it can scuttle side to side.

jiàn shì mò shuō
见事莫说，
In matters seen, speak not,

wèn shì bù zhī
问事不知。
In matters asked, know not.

xián shì xiū guǎn
闲事休管，
Idle affairs, meddle not,

wú shì zǎo guī
无事早归。
When there’s no business, return early.

jiǎ duàn rǎn jiù zhēn hóng sè
假缎染就真红色，
With dye, fake damask claims the color of true crimson,

yě bèi páng rén shuō shì fēi
也被旁人说是非。
Yet bystanders may still dispute its authenticity.

shàn shì kě zuò
善事可作，
Good deeds can be done,

è shì mò wèi
恶事莫为。
Evil actions, do not commit.

xǔ rén yī wù
许人一物，
Lend an item to someone,

qiān jīn bù yí
千金不移。
And for a thousand gold, do not rescind.

lóng shēng lóng zǐ
龙生龙子，
The dragon bears dragon offspring,

hǔ shēng hǔ ér
虎生虎儿。
Tigers give birth to tiger cubs.

lóng yóu qiǎn shuǐ zāo xiā xì
龙游浅水遭虾戏，
Dragons in shallow waters are teased by shrimp,

hǔ luò píng yáng bèi quǎn qī
虎落平阳被犬欺。
Tigers fallen on flat grounds are bullied by dogs.

yī jǔ shǒu dēng lóng hǔ bǎng
一举首登龙虎榜，
With one leap, rank at the top of the dragon and tiger list,

shí nián shēn dào fèng huáng chí
十年身到凤凰池。
In ten years, arrive at the Phoenix Pond.

shí nián chuāng xià wú rén wèn
十年窗下无人问，
Ten years at the study window, no one inquires,

yī jǔ chéng míng tiān xià zhī
一举成名天下知。
With one success, known by the whole world.

jiǔ zhài xún cháng xíng chù yǒu
酒债寻常行处有，
Debts for wine are common wherever one goes,

rén shēng qī shí gǔ lái xī
人生七十古来稀。
Seventy years in a life, rare since ancient times.

yǎng ér dài lǎo
养儿待老，
Raising sons to provide for old age,

jī gǔ fáng jī
积谷防饥。
Store grain against possible famine.

jī tún gǒu zhì zhī chù
鸡豚狗彘之畜，
Fowl, pigs, dogs, and swine,

wú shī qí shí
无失其时。
Never miss their times.

shǔ jiā zhī kǒu
数家之口，
Multiple households’ mouths,

kě yǐ wú jī yǐ
可以无饥矣。
Can thus be free from hunger.

cháng jiāng yǒu rì sī wú rì
常将有日思无日，
Always think on rainy days when it’s sunny,

mò bǎ wú shí dāng yǒu shí
莫把无时当有时。
Do not assume a time of need as a time of plenty.

shí lái fēng sòng téng wáng gé
时来风送腾王阁，
When times are good, the wind carries you to Tengwang Pavilion,

yùn qù léi hōng jiàn fú bēi
运去雷轰荐福碑。
When luck runs out, thunder heralds the Jinfu Stele.

rù mén xiū wèn róng kū shì
入门休问荣枯事，
Enter the gate and inquire about the honor and decline of matters,

guān kàn róng yán biàn dé zhī
观看容颜便得知。
By observing one’s facial expressions, the truth will be known.

guān qīng shū lì shòu
官清书吏瘦，
A clear-minded official’s clerk will appear thin,

shén líng miào zhù féi
神灵庙祝肥。
Whereas a divine temple’s priest will look stout and well-fed.

xī què léi tíng zhī nù
息却雷霆之怒，
Calm the thunderous rage to rest,

bà què hǔ láng zhī wēi
罢却虎狼之威。
And halt the ferocity of tigers and wolves.

ráo rén suàn zhī běn
饶人算之本，
Forgiving others is the essence of calculation,

shū rén suàn zhī jī
输人算之机。
Letting others win is the mechanism of strategy.

hǎo yán nán de
好言难得，
Good words are hard to come by,

è yǔ yì shī
恶语易施。
While harsh words are readily dispensed.

yī yán jì chū
一言既出，
Once a word is spoken,

sì mǎ nán zhuī
驷马难追。
Even four horses cannot chase it back.

dào wú hǎo zhě shì wú zéi
道吾好者是吾贼，
Those who praise me are my adversaries,

dào wú è zhě shì wú shī
道吾恶者是吾师。
Those who criticize me are my mentors.

lù féng xiá kè xū chénɡ jiàn
路逢侠客须呈剑，
Upon meeting a knight of the roads, present your sword,

bú shì cái rén mò xiàn shī
不是才人莫献诗。
If not a poet of talent, do not offer your verses.

sān rén tóng háng
三人同行，
When three people walk together,

bì yǒu wú shī yān
必有吾师焉；
My teacher is surely among them;

zé qí shàn zhě ér cóng zhī
择其善者而从之，
Choose the good qualities to follow,

qí bù shàn zhě ér gǎi zhī
其不善者而改之。
And amend those that are not.

shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì
少壮不努力，
Youth not spent in hard work,

lǎo dà tú bēi shāng
老大徒悲伤。
Will lead to sorrow in old age stark.

rén yǒu shàn yuàn
人有善愿，
When one harbors good intentions,

tiān bì yòu zhī
天必佑之。
Divine support will be their ascension.

zhǒng má dé má
种麻得麻，
Sow hemp and you shall harvest hemp,

zhǒng dòu dé dòu
种豆得豆。
Sow beans and beans you’ll attempt.

tiān yǎn huī huī
天眼恢恢，
The eyes of Heaven see so wide,

shū ér bù lòu
疏而不漏。
Sparse yet nothing can hide.

jiàn guān mò xiàng qián
见官莫向前，
When facing officials, stay not ahead,

zuò kè mò zài hòu
做客莫在后。
And as a guest, lag not behind in stead.

níng tiān yī dòu
宁添一斗，
Better to add a measure of grain,

mò tiān yī kǒu
莫添一口。
Than to add one more mouth to feed.

táng láng bǔ chán
螳螂捕蝉，
The mantis stalks the cicada,

qǐ zhī huáng què zài hòu
岂知黄雀在后。
Unaware of the oriole behind.

bù qiú jīn yù chóng chóng guì
不求金玉重重贵，
I seek not the heavy treasures of gold and jade,

dàn yuàn ér sūn gè gè xián
但愿儿孙个个贤。
But hope for every child and grandchild to be virtuous.

yī rì fū qī
一日夫妻，
One day as husband and wife,

bǎi shì yīn yuán
百世姻缘。
A hundred generations of marital fate.

bǎi shì xiū lái tóng chuán dù
百世修来同船渡，
It takes a hundred lifetimes to sail the same ship,

qiān shì xiū lái gòng zhěn mián
千世修来共枕眠。
A thousand lifetimes to share the same pillow.

shā rén yī wàn
杀人一万，
Killing ten thousand people,

zì sǔn sān qiān
自损三千。
You lose three thousand of your own.

shāng rén yī yǔ
伤人一语，
A single hurtful word,

lì rú dāo gē
利如刀割。
Sharp as the cut of a knife.

kū mù féng chūn yóu zài fā
枯木逢春犹再发，
Even dead trees bloom again in spring.

rén wú liǎng dù zài shào nián
人无两度再少年。
A person will not be young again after passing twice a few years.

wèi wǎn xiān tóu sù
未晚先投宿，
Before it’s late, seek an early inn to stay,

jī míng zǎo kàn tiān
鸡鸣早看天。
At cockcrow, rise early to observe the sky.

jiāng xiāng dǐng tóu kān zǒu mǎ
将相顶头堪走马，
Generals and ministers fit under helmets, suited to ride horses,

gōng hóu dù lǐ hǎo chēng chuán
公侯肚里好撑船。
Nobles and high officials, have bellies that could endure a ship’s sway.

fù rén sī lái nián
富人思来年，
The rich ponder on the coming year,

qióng rén sī yǎn qián
穷人思眼前。
The poor focus on the immediate here.

shì shàng ruò yào rén qíng hǎo
世上若要人情好，
In this world, to have good human relations,

shē qù wù jiàn mò qǔ qián
赊去物件莫取钱。
Let purchases be on credit, and refrain from handling coins.

sǐ shēng yǒu mìng
死生有命，
Death and life have their fate,

fù guì zài tiān
富贵在天。
Wealth and honor are decreed by the heavens.

jī shí yuán yǒu huǒ
击石原有火，
Striking stones naturally sparks a fire,

bù jī nǎi wú yān
不击乃无烟。
Without striking, there emerges no smoke.

rén xué shǐ zhī dào
人学始知道，
By learning, one begins to comprehend the path,

bù xué yì tú rán
不学亦徒然。
Without learning, all is in vain.

mò xiào tā rén lǎo
莫笑他人老，
Mock not another’s old age,

zhōng xū hái dào lǎo
终须还到老。
Eventually, we shall all arrive at elderly stages.

dàn néng yī běn fèn
但能依本分，
But if one can follow their duty,

zhōng xū wú fán nǎo
终须无烦恼。
Ultimately, they will be free from vexation.

jūn zi ài cái
君子爱财，
A gentleman loves wealth,

qǔ zhī yǒu dào
取之有道。
There’s a way to obtain what one desires.

zhēn fù ài sè
贞妇爱色，
A chaste woman may favor beauty,

nà zhī yǐ lǐ
纳之以礼。
But it shall be accepted with propriety.

shàn yǒu shàn bào
善有善报，
Good deeds will meet with good rewards,

è yǒu è bào
恶有恶报。
As evil deeds will face their recompense.

bú shì bù bào
不是不报，
It’s not that there won’t be retribution,

rì zi wèi dào
日子未到。
The day just hasn’t come yet.

rén ér wú xìn
人而无信，
A person without trustworthiness,

bù zhī qí kě yě
不知其可也。
Is unknowable in his worth.

yī rén dào hǎo
一人道好，
When one person deems it good,

qiān rén chuán bǎo
千人传宝。
A thousand others will spread its value.

fán shì yāo hǎo
凡事要好，
In all matters, aim for excellence,

xū wèn sān lǎo
须问三老。
And consult the wisdom of the elders thrice.

ruò zhēng xiǎo kě
若争小可，
If you quarrel over trivialities,

biàn shī dà dào
便失大道。
You’ll lose sight of the grand way.

nián nián fáng jī
年年防饥，
Prevent famine year after year,

yè yè fáng dào
夜夜防盗。
Guard against thieves every night.

xué zhě rú hé rú dào
学者如禾如稻，
Learners are like rice and wheat,

bù xué zhě rú hāo rú cǎo
不学者如蒿如草。
The unlearned are like weeds and grass.

yù yǐn jiǔ shí xū yǐn jiǔ
遇饮酒时须饮酒，
If it’s time to drink, one must drink,

dé gāo gē chù qiě gāo gē
得高歌处且高歌。
Where it’s fit to sing loud, let’s sing loud.

yīn fēng chuī huǒ
因风吹火，
Fire fanned by the wind,

yòng lì bù duō
用力不多。
Requires minimal effort to grow.

bù yīn yú fù yǐn
不因渔父引，
If not for the fisherman’s invitation,

zěn dé jiàn bō tāo
怎得见波涛。
How could we see the tumultuous waves?

wú qiú dào chù rén qíng hǎo
无求到处人情好，
No need to seek everywhere for kindness,

bù yǐn cóng tā jiǔ jià gāo
不饮从他酒价高。
Nor to drink from others at a high cost.

zhī shì shǎo shí fán nǎo shǎo
知事少时烦恼少，
Less knowledge means fewer troubles,

shí rén duō chù shì fēi duō
识人多处是非多。
More acquaintances bring more disputes.

rù shān bù pà shāng rén hǔ
入山不怕伤人虎，
Entering the mountains, fear not the tigers that harm men,

zhǐ pà rén qíng liǎng miàn dāo
只怕人情两面刀。
But beware the dual nature of human sentiment.

qiáng zhōng gèng yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu
强中更有强中手，
Among the strong, there exists the stronger still,

è rén xū yòng è rén mó
恶人须用恶人磨。
Use a villain to grind down another villain.

huì shǐ bù zài jiā háo fù
会使不在家豪富，
True ability doesn’t rest solely on one’s wealth at home,

fēng liú bù yòng zhuó yī duō
风流不用着衣多。
Elegance doesn’t require an excess of clothes.

guāng yīn sì jiàn
光阴似箭，
Time flits like an arrow,

rì yuè rú suō
日月如梭。
Days and months pass like a weaver’s shuttle.

tiān shí bù rú dì lì
天时不如地利，
Favorable timing isn’t as good as geographical advantage,

dì lì bù rú rén hé
地利不如人和。
Geographical advantage isn’t as good as harmonious human relations.

huáng jīn wèi wèi guì
黄金未为贵，
Gold is not yet considered precious,

ān lè zhí qián duō
安乐值钱多。
Peace and joy are worth much more.

shì shàng wàn bān jiē xià pǐn
世上万般皆下品，
All things in the world are inferior,

sī liang wéi yǒu dú shū gāo
思量唯有读书高。
Only the pursuit of knowledge stands supreme.

shì jiān hǎo yǔ shū shuō jìn
世间好语书说尽，
All the world’s fine words are in books,

tiān xià míng shān sēng zhàn duō
天下名山僧占多。
Monks occupy many a famous mountain.

wéi shàn zuì lè
为善最乐，
Doing good brings the greatest joy,

wèi è nán táo
为恶难逃。
Evil deeds cannot escape retribution.

yáng yǒu guì rǔ zhī ēn
羊有跪乳之恩，
A sheep kneels to suckle, a gesture of gratitude,

yā yǒu fǎn bǔ zhī yì
鸦有反哺之义。
A crow feeds its parents in return, an act of righteousness.

nǐ jí tā wèi jí
你急他未急，
You’re urgent, but he’s not;

rén xián xīn bù xián
人闲心不闲。
People may be idle, but their minds are not.

yǐn è yáng shàn
隐恶扬善，
Conceal the bad and promote the good,

zhí qí liǎng duān
执其两端。
Grasp both ends of morality.

qī xián fū huò shǎo
妻贤夫祸少，
With a virtuous wife, a husband’s troubles are few,

zǐ xiào fù xīn kuān
子孝父心宽。
With a filial son, a father’s heart is at ease.

jì duò fǔ zèng
既堕釜甑，
Once you’ve fallen into the pot or the kettle,

fǎn gù wú yì
反顾无益。
Looking back is of no use.

fān fù zhī shuǐ
翻覆之水，
Water once spilled is hard to recollect,

shōu zhī shí nán
收之实难。
Gathering it back is truly difficult.

dàn yǒu lǜ yáng kān xì mǎ
但有绿杨堪系马，
Yet with green willows fit to tether horses,

chǔ chù yǒu lù tòu cháng ān
处处有路透长安。
Everywhere roads extend to Chang’an.

jiàn zhě yì ， xué zhě nán
见者易，学者难。
Easy to see, difficult to follow.

mò jiāng róng yì dé
莫将容易得，
Do not take the ease of attaining for granted,

biàn zuò děng xián kàn
便作等闲看。
Nor regard it with a casual glance.

yòng xīn jì jiào bān bān cuò
用心计较般般错，
Overthinking everything, every effort goes wrong,

tuì bù sī liang shì shì nán
退步思量事事难。
Step back to ponder, and myriad matters grow tough.

dào lù gè bié
道路各别，
Each path is set apart,

yǎng jiā yì bān
养家一般。
Raising a household is all the same.

cóng jiǎn rù shē yì
从俭入奢易，
It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance,

cóng shē rù jiǎn nán
从奢入俭难。
Hard to go from extravagance to frugality.

zhī yīn shuō yǔ zhī yīn tīng
知音说与知音听，
Intimate sounds are spoken for intimate ears to hear,

bú shì zhī yīn mò yǔ tán
不是知音莫与弹。
If not a confidant, refrain from playing the tune.

diǎn shí huà wèi jīn
点石化为金，
Touching a stone it turns to gold,

rén xīn yóu wèi zú
人心犹未足。
Yet human hearts remain unsatisfied.

xìn le dù ， mài le wū
信了肚，卖了屋。
Trusting too much in luck, one sells their home.

tā rén xiàn xiàn
他人睍睍，
Others are vigilant,

bù shè nǐ mù
不涉你目。
Do not concern your eyes.

tā rén lù lù
他人碌碌，
Others stay busy,

bù shè nǐ zú
不涉你足。
Do not concern your feet.

shuí rén bù ài zǐ sūn xián
谁人不爱子孙贤，
Who does not cherish offspring wise,

shuí rén bù ài qiān zhōng sù
谁人不爱千钟粟，
Who does not love a thousand measures of millet,

nài wǔ xíng
奈五行，
Yet the Five Elements,

bú shì zhè bān tí mù
不是这般题目。
This is not such a subject.

mò bǎ zhēn xīn kōng jì jiào
莫把真心空计较，
Do not vainly calculate with true heart,

ér sūn zì yǒu ér sūn fú
儿孙自有儿孙福。
Children and grandchildren will have their own fortune.

yǔ rén bù hé
与人不和，
Unharmonious with others,

quàn rén yǎng é
劝人养鹅。
Advise them to raise geese.

yǔ rén bù mù
与人不睦，
At odds with others,

quàn rén zào wū
劝人造屋。
Advise them to build a house.

dàn xíng hào shì
但行好事，
Just do good deeds,

mò wèn qián chéng
莫问前程。
Do not ask about the future.

hé xiá shuǐ jí
河狭水急，
The river’s narrow, the water’s swift,

rén jí jì shēng
人急计生。
People in haste make quick plans.

míng zhī shān yǒu hǔ
明知山有虎，
Knowing well the mountain harbors tigers,

mò xiàng hǔ shān xíng
莫向虎山行。
Do not walk towards Tiger Mountain.

lù bù xíng bú dào
路不行不到，
Without traveling the road, you won’t arrive,

shì bù wèi bù chéng
事不为不成。
Without undertaking a task, it won’t be accomplished.

rén bù quàn bù shàn
人不劝不善，
Without encouragement, people won’t do good,

zhōng bù dǎ bù míng
钟不打不鸣。
Without being struck, the bell won’t ring.

wú qián fāng duàn jiǔ
无钱方断酒，
Moneyless, the wine cup’s bond is severed,

lín lǎo shǐ kàn jīng
临老始看经。
As old age looms, I turn to the scriptures, reading.

diǎn tǎ qī céng
点塔七层，
Seven stories the pagoda rises,

bù rú àn chù yī dēng
不如暗处一灯。
Yet not as bright as a lantern in the dark, hidden.

wàn shì quàn rén xiū mán mèi
万事劝人休瞒昧，
All deeds, I advise, shun deception;

jǔ tóu sān chǐ yǒu shén míng
举头三尺有神明。
Lift your head, divine clarity lies three feet above.

dàn cún fāng cùn tǔ
但存方寸土，
Preserve but a square inch of land,

liú yǔ zǐ sūn gēng
留与子孙耕。
To leave to your descendants for tilling.

miè què xīn tóu huǒ
灭却心头火，
Extinguish the blaze of passion in your mind,

tī qǐ fó qián dēng
剔起佛前灯。
And rekindle the lamp before Buddha.

xīng xīng cháng bù zú
惺惺常不足，
Alert, never quite enough,

měng měng zuò gōng qīng
懵懵作公卿。
Ignorant, yet holding high office.

zhòng xīng lǎng lǎng
众星朗朗，
Stars shine bright together,

bù rú gū yuè dú míng
不如孤月独明。
Yet none as glorious as the lone moon, clear.

xiōng dì xiāng hài
兄弟相害，
Brother harms brother,

bù rú yǒu shēng
不如友生。
Not as kind as friendship in life.

hé lǐ kě zuò
合理可作，
What is just can be done,

xiǎo lì mò zhēng
小利莫争。
Do not quarrel over petty gains.

mǔ dān huā hǎo kōng rù mù
牡丹花好空入目，
The peony’s beauty pleases the eye in vain,

zǎo huā suī xiǎo jiē shi chéng
枣花虽小结实成。
While the humble jujube bears fruit, indeed.

qī lǎo mò qī xiǎo
欺老莫欺小，
Do not deceive the elderly, nor should you cheat the young,

qī rén xīn bù míng
欺人心不明。
Deceiving anyone shows a heart that’s not bright.

suí fēn gēng chú shōu dì lì
随分耕锄收地利，
Tilling and hoeing, reap the benefits from the land,

tā shí bǎo nuǎn xiè cāng tiān
他时饱暖谢苍天。
In time, with warmth and fullness, thank the heavens above.

dé rěn qiě rěn
得忍且忍，
If you can endure, then endure,

dé nài qiě nài
得耐且耐。
If you can be patient, then be patient.

bù rěn bù nài
不忍不耐，
Without endurance or patience,

xiǎo shì chéng dà
小事成大。
Small matters can escalate.

xiāng lùn chěng yīng xióng
相论逞英雄，
Boasting of heroism in disputes,

jiā jì jiàn jiàn tuì
家计渐渐退。
Gradually, household affairs will decline.

xián fù lìng fū guì
贤妇令夫贵，
A virtuous wife brings her husband honor,

è fù lìng fū bài
恶妇令夫败。
A vile wife leads her husband to ruin.

yī rén yǒu qìng
一人有庆，
When one person prospers,

zhào mín xián lài
兆民咸赖。
All the people reap the benefits.

rén lǎo xīn wèi lǎo
人老心未老，
Though a person ages, their heart stays young,

rén qióng zhì mò qióng
人穷志莫穷。
Though a person is poor, their aspirations remain boundless.

rén wú qiān rì hǎo
人无千日好，
No one enjoys unbroken good fortune,

huā wú bǎi rì hóng
花无百日红。
And flowers do not stay in bloom for a hundred days.

shā rén kě shù
杀人可恕，
Murder can be forgiven,

qíng lǐ nán róng
情理难容。
But reason and morality are hard to ignore.

zhà fù bù zhī xīn shòu yòng
乍富不知新受用，
Those suddenly rich do not know how to enjoy their new wealth,

zhà pín nán gǎi jiù jiā fēng
乍贫难改旧家风。
While those newly poor find it hard to change their old family ways.

zuò shàng kè cháng mǎn
座上客常满，
Guests are always plentiful upon the seats,

bēi zhōng jiǔ bù kōng
杯中酒不空。
And the wine in the cup is never depleted.

wū lòu gèng zāo lián yè yǔ
屋漏更遭连夜雨，
A leaking roof endures endless rain at night,

xíng chuán yòu yù dǎ tóu fēng
行船又遇打头风。
And a sailing ship again encounters headwinds.

sǔn yīn luò tuò fāng chéng zhú
笋因落箨方成竹，
Bamboo shoots must shed their sheaths to grow tall,

yú wèi bēn bō shǐ huà lóng
鱼为奔波始化龙。
And fish must swim vigorously to transform into dragons.

jì de shào nián qí zhú mǎ
记得少年骑竹马，
Remember the days of youth riding bamboo horses,

kàn kàn yòu shì bái tóu wēng
看看又是白头翁。
Only to look again and find oneself a white-haired elder.

lǐ yì shēng yú fù zú
礼义生于富足，
Manners and righteousness flourish in abundance,

dào zéi chū yú pín qióng
盗贼出于贫穷。
Thieves emerge from poverty.

tiān shàng zhòng xīng jiē gǒng běi
天上众星皆拱北，
All the stars in the sky revolve around the North,

shì jiān wú shuǐ bù cháo dōng
世间无水不朝东。
No waters on earth but flow toward the East.

jūn zi ān píng
君子安平，
The gentleman lives in peace,

dá rén zhī mìng
达人知命。
The wise accept their fate.

zhōng yán nì ěr lì yú xíng
忠言逆耳利于行，
Honest advice, though harsh to the ear, is beneficial for action,

liáng yào kǔ kǒu lì yú bìng
良药苦口利于病。
Good medicine, bitter in taste, is beneficial for illness.

shùn tiān zhě cún
顺天者存，
Those who follow the Way of Heaven will survive,

nì tiān zhě wáng
逆天者亡。

rén wéi cái sǐ
人为财死，
Humans die for wealth,

niǎo wèi shí wáng
鸟为食亡。
Birds perish for food.

fū qī xiāng hé hǎo
夫妻相合好，
Husbands and wives best together,

qín sè yǔ shēng huáng
琴瑟与笙簧。
Like harmonious music of zithers and pipes.

yǒu ér pín bù jiǔ
有儿贫不久，
With a son, even the poor won’t linger in poverty,

wú zǐ fù bù cháng
无子富不长。
Without a child, the rich won’t sustain their wealth long.

shàn bì shòu lǎo
善必寿老，
The good shall live to a ripe old age,

è bì zǎo wáng
恶必早亡。
The evil will surely die young.

shuǎng kǒu shí duō piān zuò yào
爽口食多偏作药，
Overly tasty food often turns to medicine,

kuài xīn shì guò kǒng shēng yāng
快心事过恐生殃。
Excessively pleasing acts may breed misfortune.

fù guì dìng yào ān běn fèn
富贵定要安本分，
In wealth and rank, one should remain humble and content,

pín qióng bú bì wǎng sī liang
贫穷不必枉思量。
In poverty, there’s no use in undue measurement.

huà shuǐ wú fēng kōng zuò làng
画水无风空作浪，
Without wind, ripples in painted water are in vain,

xiù huā suī hǎo bù wén xiāng
绣花虽好不闻香。
Embroidered flowers, though beautiful, carry no scent.

tān tā yī dòu mǐ
贪他一斗米，
Coveting another’s measure of rice,

shī què bàn nián liáng
失却半年粮。
One may lose half a year’s provisions.

zhēng tā yī jiǎo tún
争他一脚豚，
Fighting over another’s piglet,

fǎn shī yī zhǒu yáng
反失一肘羊。
One might lose a whole shoulder of lamb.

lóng guī wǎn dòng yún yóu shī
龙归晚洞云犹湿，
The dragon returns late to its cave, clouds still damp,

shè guò chūn shān cǎo mù xiāng
麝过春山草木香。
A musk deer passes through in spring, the mountain air is fragrant.

píng shēng zhǐ huì liàng rén duǎn
平生只会量人短，
In life, one only measures the faults of others,

hé bù huí tóu bǎ zì liàng
何不回头把自量。
Why not turn around and measure oneself?

jiàn shàn rú bù jí
见善如不及，
Seeing good as if not reaching it,

jiàn è rú tàn tāng
见恶如探汤。
Seeing evil as if dipping into boiling water.

rén pín zhì duǎn
人贫志短，
When people are poor, their ambitions are short,

mǎ shòu máo cháng
马瘦毛长。
When horses are thin, their hair grows long.

zì jiā xīn lǐ jí
自家心里急，
One’s own heart is rushing,

tā rén wèi zhī máng
他人未知忙。
Yet others are unaware of the urgency.

pín wú dá shì jiāng jīn zèng
贫无达士将金赠，
The poor find no generous patrons to offer gold,

bìng yǒu gāo rén shuō yào fāng
病有高人说药方。
The sick have wise men prescribing remedies.

chù lái mò yǔ shuō
触来莫与说，
Do not speak of your touchiness,

shì guò xīn qīng liáng
事过心清凉。
After the affair, one’s heart is cool and refreshing.

qiū zhì mǎn shān duō xiù sè
秋至满山多秀色，
With autumn’s arrival, the mountains are full of splendid colors,

chūn lái wú chǔ bù huā xiāng
春来无处不花香。
With spring, there’s no place without the fragrance of flowers.

fán rén bù kě mào xiàng
凡人不可貌相，
Ordinary people should not be judged by their appearance,

hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng
海水不可斗量。
The ocean’s water cannot be measured by volume.

qīng qīng zhī shuǐ
清清之水，
Clear and pure waters,

wèi tǔ suǒ fáng
为土所防。
Are hindered by the soil.

jǐ jǐ zhī shì
济济之士，
A multitude of distinguished men,

wèi jiǔ suǒ shāng
为酒所伤。
Harmed by wine.

hāo cǎo zhī xià
蒿草之下，
Beneath the artemisia’s spread,

huò yǒu lán xiāng
或有兰香。
The orchid’s fragrance may be found.

máo cí zhī wū
茅茨之屋，
In thatched huts of straw and reed,

huò yǒu jiāng xiāng
或有将相。
Generals and chancellors abound.

wú xiàn zhū mén shēng è piǎo
无限朱门生饿殍，
Countless red gates breed the famine-dead,

jǐ duō bái wū chū gōng qīng
几多白屋出公卿。
From humble white homes, officials rise.

zuì hòu qián kūn dà
醉后乾坤大，
Intoxicated, the universe feels vast,

hú zhōng rì yuè cháng
壶中日月长。
Within the pot, the sun and moon stretch long.

wàn shì jiē yǐ dìng
万事皆已定，
All matters are already set,

fú shēng kòng bái kuài
浮生空白快。
Life’s vain pursuits swiftly fleet.

qiān lǐ sòng háo máo
千里送毫毛，
Sending a feather for a thousand miles,

lǐ qīng rén yì zhòng
礼轻仁义重。
The gift is light, but the righteousness is heavy.

yī rén chuán xū
一人传虚，
When one person spreads a rumor,

bǎi rén chuán shí
百人传实。
A hundred people turn it into truth.

shì shì míng rú jìng
世事明如镜，
Worldly affairs are as clear as a mirror,

qián chéng àn sì qī
前程暗似漆。
But the future is as dark as pitch.

guāng yīn huáng jīn nán mǎi
光阴黄金难买，
Time is gold that cannot be bought,

yī shì rú jū guò xì
一世如驹过隙。
A lifetime passes like a fleeting horse.

liáng tián wàn qīng
良田万倾，
Thousands of acres of good land,

rì shí yī shēng
日食一升。
Yet one eats only a sheng per day.

dà shà qiān jiān
大厦千间，
A mansion with a thousand rooms,

yè mián bā chǐ
夜眠八尺。
But one sleeps on only eight feet at night.

qiān jīng wàn diǎn
千经万典，
Through thousands of scriptures and codes,

xiào yì wèi xiān
孝义为先。
Filial piety and righteousness come first.

yī zì rù gōng mén
一字入公门，
One word enters the public office,

jiǔ niú tuō bù chū
九牛拖不出。
Nine oxen cannot pull it out.

yá mén bā zì kāi
衙门八字开，
The government office opens with eight words,

yǒu lǐ wú qián mò jìn lái
有理无钱莫进来。
Without money, even the right cause cannot advance.

fù cóng shēng hé qǐ
富从升合起，
Wealth starts from accumulation,

pín yīn bù suàn lái
贫因不算来。
Poverty comes from lack of planning.

jiā zhōng wú cái zǐ
家中无才子，
In a home without a talented child,

guān cóng hé chǔ lái
官从何处来。
From where will a government official arise?

wàn shì bù yóu rén jì jiào
万事不由人计较，
All things are not for people to deliberate,

yī shēng dōu shì mìng ān pái
一生都是命安排。
One’s life is all arranged by fate.

jí xíng màn xíng
急行慢行，
Whether you hurry or walk slow,

qián chéng zhǐ yǒu duō shǎo lù
前程只有多少路。
The journey ahead has only so much road.

rén jiān sī yǔ
人间私语，
Private human whispers,

tiān wén ruò léi
天闻若雷。
To the heavens, sound like thunder.

àn shì kuī xīn
暗室亏心，
In dark chambers, a guilty conscience,

shén mù rú diàn
神目如电。
With divine eyesight as bright as lightning.

yī háo zhī è
一毫之恶，
An evil as small as a hair,

quàn rén mò zuò
劝人莫作。
Advise others not to commit.

yī háo zhī shàn
一毫之善，
A kindness as small as a hair,

yǔ rén fāng biàn
与人方便。
It’s convenient to share with others.

kuī rén shì huò
亏人是祸，
Harming others brings disaster,

ráo rén shì fú
饶人是福。
Forgiving others brings good fortune.

tiān yǎn huī huī
天眼恢恢，
The eyes of heaven are vast and wide,

bào yìng shèn sù
报应甚速。
Retribution is swift and precise.

shèng xián yán yǔ
圣贤言语，
The words of sages and saints,

shén qīn guǐ fú
神钦鬼伏。
Are revered by gods and feared by ghosts.

rén gè yǒu xīn
人各有心，
Every person has their own heart,

xīn gè yǒu jiàn
心各有见。
each heart sees things differently.

kǒu shuō bù rú shēn féng
口说不如身逢，
Speaking face to face beats talking,

ěr wén bù rú mù jiàn
耳闻不如目见。
seeing for oneself beats hearing from others.

yǎng jūn qiān rì
养军千日，
An army is maintained for a thousand days,

yòng zài yī zhāo
用在一朝。
to be used on a single day.

guó qīng cái zǐ guì
国清才子贵，
In a pristine nation, scholars are esteemed,

jiā fù xiǎo ér jiāo
家富小儿骄。
in a wealthy family, young children are spoiled.

lì dāo gē tǐ hén yì hé
利刀割体痕易合，
A knife wound on the body heals easily,

è yǔ shāng rén hèn bù xiāo
恶语伤人恨不消。
harsh words create a resentment that doesn’t fade.

gōng dào shì jiān wéi bái fà
公道世间唯白发，
Justice in this world belongs only to those with white hair,

guì rén tóu shàng bù céng ráo
贵人头上不曾饶。
the noble do not spare even those above them.

yǒu qián kān chū zhòng
有钱堪出众，
With money, one can stand out,

wú yī lǎn chū mén
无衣懒出门。
without clothes, one is reluctant to step outside.

wèi guān xū zuò xiāng
为官须作相，
To be an official, strive to be a minister,

jí dì bì zhēng xiān
及第必争先。
to succeed, one must strive to be first.

miáo cóng dì fā
苗从地发，
Sprouts emerge from the ground,

shù xiàng zhī fēn
树向枝分。
trees branch out in different directions.

fù zǐ hé ér jiā bù tuì
父子和而家不退，
With father and son in harmony, the family does not decline,

xiōng dì hé ér jiā bù fēn
兄弟和而家不分。
with brothers in harmony, the family does not divide.

guó yǒu fǎ lǜ
国有法律，
The nation has laws,

mín yǒu sī yuē
民有私约。
The people have private agreements.

xìng shēng tài píng wú shì rì
幸生太平无事日，
Fortunate are the days of peace without trouble,

kǒng féng nián lǎo bù duō shí
恐逢年老不多时。
Fearing that the years will not be many as old age approaches.

guó luàn sī liáng jiàng
国乱思良将，
In times of national turmoil, think of capable generals,

jiā pín sī xián qī
家贫思贤妻。
In poverty at home, wish for a virtuous wife.

chí táng jī shuǐ xū fáng hàn
池塘积水须防旱，
Ponds must store water in preparation for drought,

tián dì qín gēng zú yǎng jiā
田地勤耕足养家。
Fields diligently plowed are enough to sustain the family.

gēn shēn bù pà fēng yáo dòng
根深不怕风摇动，
With deep roots, there is no fear of the wind’s sway,

shù zhèng hé chóu yuè yǐng xié
树正何愁月影斜。
With the tree standing straight, why worry about the moon’s slanted shadow?

fèng quàn jūn zi
奉劝君子，
I earnestly advise you, gentlemen,

gè yí shǒu jǐ
各宜守己。
Each should uphold his own.

zhī cǐ chéng shì
只此呈示，
This is my sole presentation,

wàn wú yì shī
万无一失。
With not one in ten thousand chances for error.