Chinese Proverbs

[The Peepmaster]

I've occasionally heard great words of wisdom attributed to the Chinese, which have stopped me in my tracks and made me think. Only a week or so ago I read something about "what unites us, rather than that that divides us", and thought, "Wow - there's something in that", and meant to write it down, but didn't. Now I can't remember what the whole saying was. Anyway, I was getting the feeling that Chinese philosophers certainly are wise beings.

I just did a search to find the top Chinese proverbs, and the results left me somewhat disappointed...

1. The participant's perspectives are clouded while the bystander's views are clear.

2. Pick the flower when it is ready to be picked.

3. If you don't go into the cave of the tiger, how are you going to get its cub?

4. Follow the local custom when you go to a foreign place.

5. It's is impossible to change your basic characteristics.

6. Once bitten by a snake, you are even frightened by a rope that resembles a snake.

7. Your neighbour's wife looks prettier than your own.

8. When you go up to the mountain too often, you will eventually encounter the tiger.

9. Elephant tusks cannot grow out of a dog's mouth.

10. When the tiger comes down from the mountain to the plains, it is bullied by the dogs.
 

[Vulture]

They sound like something that you'd find in the I Ching.

[Vulture]

It's only 3. and 9. that seem to be a bit incomprehensible. The others have an English equivalent. But you're right, a disappointment.

[The Peepmaster]

I'm sure we could make up some of our own...

[Roger Kettle]

It's only 3. and 9. that seem to be a bit incomprehensible. The others have an English equivalent. But you're right, a disappointment.

I think number 3 means that to fully understand a child, you have to first look at the parents.
Number 9, I would guess, means you are what you are.
I quite liked these and I will quote them next time I'm at a Dundee United match. I'm sure the chaps around me will appreciate that.

[The Peepmaster]

A bird in The Hand is worth two in The Bush. (Or The Dog & Partridge.)

[Malc]

Number 3 is merely "nothing ventured, nothing gained" or "faint heart never won fair lady"

Number 9 is a Beatles track. Or "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"

[Malc]

1. The participant's perspectives are clouded while the bystander's views are clear.

You don't want to do it like that

2. Pick the flower when it is ready to be picked.

Pick the nose when no-one's looking

3. If you don't go into the cave of the tiger, how are you going to get its cub?

Good luck with that, and can I have your golf clubs?

4. Follow the local custom when you go to a foreign place.

When in Rome, guard your handbag

5. It's is impossible to change your basic characteristics.

As Popeye said: "I yam what I yam"

6. Once bitten by a snake, you are even frightened by a rope that resembles a snake.

Once frightened by a donkey, my auntie never married

7. Your neighbour's wife looks prettier than your own.

My neighbour's wife looks like Jabba The Hutt. What are you trying to say?

8. When you go up to the mountain too often, you will eventually encounter the tiger.

And she remembers you knicked her cub

9. Elephant tusks cannot grow out of a dog's mouth.

Just as well, think of the crowding

10. When the tiger comes down from the mountain to the plains, it is bullied by the dogs.

So? what are they gonna do, tusk me?