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Q: Any Chinese sayings that you think actually speak some truth?
The Chinese seem to have a saying for everything. I've befriended this guy who at almost every opportunity will say, "In Chinese we say..." and then finish the sentence with a supposedly profound sentence (albet in broken English). I've lost count of all the ones he's told me and tend to file them in the "nod politely" category whenever I hear them. Anyway, my ignorance aside, are there any sayings that you think actually speak some truth? It's good to see China has it's own form of "When in Rome" - Ru xiang sui su. Though judging from the news, saying that to a Chinese tourist won't do much !
I don't know many but one that I've been grappling to agree with is 乐极生悲 - excess happiness causes grief. I can see the point of it - when something goes up it's gotta come down again - but I like to be positive and think that happiness should be celebrated and cherished, not looked upon as a imminent source of sorrow. Now that I've written this I think I firmly disagree with the saying which therefore doesn't answer your question -sorry!
Samsara:
Haha, I love it. This seems like it would be a very convenient slogan for the CCP.
"We try to ensure Chinese people's misery in their own interests. Because if they experienced joy, it would just make them unhappy."
Yes! I frequently hear that "left handed people are more intelligent."
This is a totally objective and undeniable fact of 106% pure truth.
Scandinavian:
that is crazy talk, what is next, hanging the toilet paper over the roll ?
"Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead." That makes sense!
"If you want happiness for an hour - take a nap. If you want happiness for a day - go fishing. If you want happiness for a month - get married. If you want happiness for a year - inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime - help someone else."
"Gray hair is a sign of age - not wisdom."
"There is only one pretty child in the world and every mother has it!"
That's a few that come to mind.
Scandinavian:
"There is only one pretty child in the world and every mother has it!" must originate from moden One Child Policy China. (I am not sure my sister would think it is true)
China is committed to a peaceful rise.
War doesn't determine who is right, war determines who is left.
easyrider:
You mean left wing? I guess so. I mean Hitler (who was a bit mad) was certainly right wing, dost thou agreaeth?
Traveler:
I actually meant "right = correct" and "left = remaining." I hate having to explain jokes...
I think China, with its extensive history, has a lot of truthful and great sayings, it being home to many historical scholars, the real question is, do the Chinese believe there is truth in them? Because if they do, they are surely not acting like it.
