23 Actually Useful Proverbs (谚语)

Here’s a list of proverbs I’ve come across over the years that I think are actually interesting and useful in both conversation and writing. A translation for each is provided, along with an equivalent English expression where possible.

1. 熟能生巧 shúnéngshēngqiǎo – Skill comes from practice; practice makes perfect.
2. 百闻不如一见 bǎiwén bùrú yījiàn – Hearing something 100 times does not measure up to seeing it once; seeing is believing.
3. 入乡随俗 rùxiāngsuísú – When you enter a village, you should follow its customs; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
4. 患难见真情 huànnàn jiàn zhēnqíng – A friend in need is a friend indeed.
5. 忠言逆耳 zhōngyánnì’ěr – Honest advice grates the ear; good advice is hard to hear.
6. 求人不如求己 qiúrén bùrú qiújǐ – It’s better to do something yourself than ask someone else for help.
7. 活到老，学到老 huó dào lǎo, xué dào lǎo – Live till you’re old, learn till you’re old; it’s never too late to learn.
8. 爱人如己 àirénrújǐ – Love others as you would yourself.
9. 吃一堑，长一智 chī yī qiàn zhǎng yī zhì – Eat a moat, grow some wisdom; you live, you learn.
10. 君子报仇，十年未晚 jūnzǐ bàochóu, shí nián wèi wǎn – When a nobleman takes revenge, ten years is not too late; one should bide one’s time and wait for the right opportunity to seek vengeance; similar to “revenge is a dish best served cold”.
11. 无风不起浪  wúfēng bù qǐ làng – There’s no waves without wind; there’s no smoke without fire.
12. 英雄所见略同 yīngxióng suǒjiàn lüètóng – The views of heroes are roughly alike; great minds think alike.
13. 女大不中留 nǚ dà bùzhōng liú – A grown daughter cannot be kept unmarried for long; when a girl grows up, she should not stay at home – she should get married.
14. 狗改不了吃屎 gǒu gǎibùliǎo chī shǐ – A dog can’t help but eat shit; a leopard can’t change its spots.
15. 谋事在人，成事在天 móushì zài rén, chéngshì zài tiān – Man does what he can, but luck determines his accomplishments; man proposes, God disposes.
16. 每天一杯酒，活到九十九 měi tiān yī bēi jiǔ, huó dào jiǔ shí jiǔ – One glass of booze every day will make you live till you’re 99.
17. 玩火自焚 wánhuǒzìfén – Play with fire and you get burnt.
18. 男女搭配，干活不累 nán-nǚ dāpèi, gànhuó bù lèi – When men and women work together they don’t feel tired.
19. 人比人，气死人 rén bǐ rén, qì sǐ rén – You can’t compare myself to other (successful) people; comparisons are odious.
20. 玉不琢，不成器 yù bù zuó bù chéng qì – If jade is not carved, it doesn’t turn into jewelery; a child needs to be taught.
21. 笑一笑，十年少；愁一愁，白了头 xiào yī xiào, shí nián shǎo; chóu yī chóu, bái le tóu – Laughing keeps you young; worrying makes you old.
22. 有志者事竟成 yǒuzhìzhě shì jìngchéng – Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
23. 饮水思源 yǐnshuǐsīyuán – When drinking water, think of its source; remember past kindness; never forget one’s origins.