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.
Share

4 comments:

the booklady said...

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

elena maria vidal said...

I know, me too.

Anonymous said...

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

elena maria vidal said...

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