10 Chinese Idioms About Truth & Reality

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. ...

Gather wisdom from many

Literal: Gather thoughts wide benefit

Emerging from the Eastern Han Dynasty's governmental practices, this idiom advocates gathering (集) thoughts (思) to broaden (广) benefits (益). It was institutionalized during the Tang Dynasty through the imperial court's practice of soliciting diverse opinions before making major decisions. The phrase...

Open threats easier than hidden

Literal: Bright spear easy dodge

In ancient Chinese warfare, a visible (明) spear (枪) was considered easy (易) to dodge (躲). This military wisdom emerged from the Spring and Autumn period, when straightforward attacks were less feared than hidden strategies. The idiom gained prominence through historical chronicles describing how ski...

Miss big picture

Literal: Leaf blocks eye

This idiom illustrates how a single (一) leaf (叶) can block (障) one's vision/eyes (目). Emerging from Buddhist texts warning against limited perspective, it gained prominence during the Song Dynasty's Neo-Confucian movement. The deceptively simple image of a leaf blocking an entire view became a power...

Hope appears in darkness

Literal: Dark willows bright flowers

This idiom comes from a line in Tang Dynasty poet Lu Zhaolin's work, describing a moment where a traveler, surrounded by dark willows (柳暗), suddenly discovers a bright clearing filled with flowers (花明). The imagery draws from classical Chinese garden design, where winding paths deliberately obscured...

Keep integrity without compromise

Literal: Keep right no flattery

Emerging from Han Dynasty political discourse, this phrase combines maintaining righteousness (守正) with refusing to flatter or compromise principles (不阿). The term gained prominence during a period of intense political intrigue, where court officials faced pressure to abandon principles for personal...

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. ...

Return something perfect

Literal: Return jade to Zhao complete

This idiom stems from the Warring States period when Lin Xiangru, a diplomat of Zhao state, was tasked with protecting a precious jade disk (璧) that King Qin demanded to see. When the king refused to return the complete (完) jade to Zhao (赵), Lin cleverly threatened to destroy it, forcing its return....

Create effortlessly from mastery

Literal: Trustingly hand plucks

This fluent idiom describes casually (信手) picking up or plucking (拈来) something with ease, originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of master calligraphers and poets. It first described how accomplished artists could produce works spontaneously without preparation or strain. The character 信 convey...

Maintain perfect dignified composure

Literal: Neither humble nor proud

This balanced idiom advocates being neither (不) servile (卑) nor (不) arrogant (亢), originating from Confucian texts of the Warring States period. It first appeared in discussions of proper bearing for scholars serving in government, emphasizing dignified self-respect without overweening pride. The sp...