Proverbs and Idioms

天外有天" (Tiān wài yǒu tiān): Exploring the Chinese Idiom that translates to "There are Skies Beyond Our Skies".

This seemingly whimsical expression of Qǐrén Yōu Tiān hides a profound lesson about the dangers of groundless anxiety. In this blog post, we will delve into the origin, meaning, and modern-day usage of this intriguing idiom.

This common expression (idiom) in Chinese is that experienced individuals, like the old horses in the story, have knowledge and wisdom that allows them to provide valuable guidance to others.

"A Frog at the bottom of a well" is a common Chinese idiom or phrase used to describe a person with limited outlook. Here is the (translated) folktale about the origin of the phrase.

This quote by Confucius, "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated," offers a relevant lesson for today.

The proverb, "Dripping water can penetrate the stone." 水滴石穿 (shuǐ dī shí chuān) illustrates the power of persistence and perseverance.

The proverb "知己知彼,百战不殆" (zhī jǐ zhī bǐ, bǎi zhàn bù dài), meaning "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles," is from Sun Tzu's ancient Chinese military treatise, "The Art of War" (孫子兵法).

The proverb, "Never admire a man by his strength; judge him on how he uses it".

The proverb, "To know the road ahead, ask those who traveled it before."

The proverb, "The Master Leads You to the Door, the Rest is Up to You". The literal translation suggests that the master or teacher can lead you to the entrance, but the actual cultivation or practice depends on the individual.