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Saturday, January 3, 2009

Chinese Proverbs

Among the books I received for Christmas is one entitled Best~Loved Chinese Proverbs by Theodora Lau. It is a great book for the beginning of the New Year when a lot of people are making resolutions. The Chinese proverbs are delightfully practical, very down-to earth. Here are some:
~If you control yourself in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.

~There is no poverty where there is character, and no wealth or honor where character is missing.

~The insolent are often the wounded.

~Criticism must be used lightly. A gentle wind kindles, while a strong wind kills the fire.

~To be unhappy over what one lacks is to waste what one already possesses.

~One who is a slave to his senses cannot rein his will into submission.

~Patience is a tree with bitter roots that bears sweet fruit.

~One who is discontent is already poor.

4 comments:

  1. Beautiful! And oh so wise! Thank you! Now . . . if only I could remember them when I need to . . . (sigh)

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  2. Hmm, all these proverbs are from Chinese classics, mostly said by Confucius and his disciples.

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  3. Why yes, that's what it says in the book, too!

    ReplyDelete

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