15 Ancient Chinese Wisdom Quotes to Live By

Practice what you know

Literal: Knowledge and action unite as one

Popularized by Neo-Confucian philosopher Wang Yangming in the Ming Dynasty, this idiom unites knowledge (知) and action (行) as one (合一). Wang challenged the traditional separation between theoretical understanding and practical application, arguing that true knowledge inherently manifests in action. ...

Extremes lead to reversal

Literal: Things at extreme reverse

This idiom captures a fundamental principle of Chinese philosophy: when things (物) reach their extreme (极), they inevitably (必) reverse (反). First articulated in the I Ching, it reflects observations of natural cycles like the changing seasons. During the Warring States period, strategists applied t...

Actions have consequences

Literal: Cause and effect return

This idiom encapsulates the Buddhist concept that causes (因) and effects (果) inevitably return (报应) as consequences. Introduced with Buddhism during the Han Dynasty, it gained widespread acceptance during the Tang period, offering a sophisticated framework for understanding moral causation. The conc...

Think thrice before acting

Literal: Think three times then act

First recorded in the Analects of Confucius, where the Master responded to Zengzi's interpretation of reflection (思) three times (三) before action (行). The number three held significance in Confucian thought, representing completeness. During the Song Dynasty, philosophers expanded this concept into...

Stay humble and open

Literal: Empty heart like valley

Derived from Daoist philosophy, this phrase advocates maintaining an empty (虚) heart/mind (怀) like (若) a valley (谷). The valley metaphor was particularly significant in Daoist thought - like a valley that receives all waters without preference, one should remain open to all ideas without prejudice. ...

Always someone better

Literal: Skies beyond skies

This idiom is intimately paired with '人外有人', together expressing that beyond (外) the sky (天) there is another sky, and beyond every person's abilities, there exists someone more capable. This dual meaning emerged from Daoist cosmological texts describing multiple heavens, but gained widespread use d...

Self-reflect daily

Literal: Examine self three times

Drawing from Confucius's Analects, this practice of examining (省) oneself (吾身) three (三) times daily reflects core Confucian principles of constant self-improvement. The specific number three references examining one's loyalty in serving others, trustworthiness with friends, and mastery of transmitt...

Repeated lie becomes truth

Literal: Three people make tiger real

This idiom originates from the Wei state minister Pang Cong's warning to his king about how three (三) people's (人) repeated lies can make even an absurd claim - like a tiger (虎) loose in the marketplace - seem true (成). The story, recorded in Warring States texts, demonstrates how repeated rumors ca...

Experience brings wisdom

Literal: Old horse knows way

Dating back to the Zhou Dynasty, this idiom comes from the story of Duke Mu of Qin who, lost in unfamiliar territory, relied on an old horse (老马) to find their way (识途) home through a snowstorm. The horse, having traversed these paths in its youth, remembered the safe routes despite years passing. O...

Learn from the worthy

Literal: See worthy wish equal

Derived from Confucius's Analects, this phrase encourages people who see (见) the worthy (贤) to wish (思) to equal (齐) them. It embodied the Confucian ideal of self-improvement through positive example. During the Han Dynasty, it became a cornerstone of educational philosophy, promoting active emulati...

Moderation in all things

Literal: Excess equals deficiency

This balanced idiom states that going too far (过) is just as (犹) problematic as not reaching far enough (不及), originating from Confucius's teachings in the Analects. The concept formed a cornerstone of Confucian moderation philosophy, where extremes in either direction were considered equally flawed...

Effortless skill through perfect practice

Literal: Chef Ding butchers ox

This idiom comes from Zhuangzi's famous 4th century BCE parable about Cook Ding (庖丁) skillfully butchering an ox (解牛). The story tells of him explaining to his lord how decades of practice led him beyond mere visual guidance to intuitive mastery. During the Han Dynasty, the tale became a standard me...

Be practical and realistic; seek truth from facts

Literal: Seek truth from facts

This idiom means seeking (求) truth (是) from actual facts (实事). It originated from the Han Dynasty 'Book of Han' describing the scholarly approach of Emperor Xian of Han. The phrase emphasizes basing conclusions on evidence rather than theory or wishful thinking. It became a guiding principle in mode...

Haste makes waste; more haste less speed

Literal: Desire speed, not reach

This idiom describes desiring (欲) speed (速) but not (不) reaching (达) the goal. From the Analects where Confucius warned that haste impedes rather than helps. The phrase captures the paradox that rushing often slows progress. Modern usage warns against impatience, recognizing that sustainable achieve...

Retire at the peak; know when to quit

Literal: Brave retreat from rapid current

This idiom describes bravely (勇) retreating (退) from a rapid (急) current (流). It depicts the wisdom and courage needed to withdraw while circumstances are favorable. The phrase values knowing when to stop rather than being swept away. Modern usage describes the rare wisdom of leaving at one's peak, ...