20 Chinese Philosophy Quotes and Proverbs

Words have the power to inspire, challenge, and motivate us. Let this selection of Chinese philosophy quotes inspire and encourage you.

Chinese proverbs (known in Chinese as 諺語, yànyŭ) are popular sayings taken from literature, history, and philosophers such as Confucius and Laozi. These short pearls of wisdom play an important role in daily communication in China, and are a great tool for expanding your vocabulary and understanding of both Chinese culture and language.

Get inspired by this selection of Chinese philosophy quotes and proverbs, complete with Chinese characters, pinyin pronunciation, English translations, and explanations.

Motivational Quotes to Inspire You Today

1.  否极泰来. (Pǐ jí tài lái)

Peace replaces extreme evil.

Explanation: If you find yourself in a hard place don’t be discouraged because all nightmares end.

2. 老骥伏枥，志在千里。 (Lǎojì fúlì, zhì zài qiānlǐ)

An old warhorse in the stable still longs to gallop a thousand miles.

Explanation: You’re never too old to live out a dream, just because you have aged doesn’t mean you are no longer allowed to be the happiest version of yourself.

3. 吃得苦中苦，方为人上人。 (Chī dé kǔzhōngkǔ, fāng wéi rénshàngrén)

Enduring deepening pain is how man ascends.

Explanation: Pain in your life isn’t the end of the world, instead we can learn from it and become better people. Similar to the saying of no pain no gain.

4. 不能一口吃成胖子。(Bùnéng yīkǒu chī chéng pàngzi )

You can’t get fat with one mouthful.

Explanation: If you want something you have to be patient and persevere because good things take time. Things aren’t accomplished straight away, don’t give up.

5. 星星之火，可以燎原。 (Xīngxīng zhī huǒ, kěyǐ liáoyu)

Starlight shines far.

Explanation: A single spark can start a huge blaze, so be mindful of the things you do, be motivated to be a better person.

You may also be interested in: 13 Famous Chinese Poems with English Translations

Chinese Proverbs About Friendship

1. 广交友，无深交。 (Guǎng jiāoyǒu, wú shēnjiāo)

Numerous friends means no deep friendship.

Explanation: The less friends you have the more of a connection you have, it’s better to have quality friendships with a few people rather than having many friends and not feeling comfortable around any of them. A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody.

2. 道不同，不相为谋。 (Dào bùtóng, bù xiāng wéi móu)

Men of different principles don’t work well together.

Explanation: The closest friends are those who have similar goals to you, this way you have somebody who understands you and pushes you further to achieve your goals.

3. 患难见真情。 (Huànnàn jiàn zhēnqíng)

In hardship, we see true friendship.

Explanation: Going through hardship exposes your friends true colors, you will be able to determine if they are there for you when you need them. After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

4. 凡人不可貌相, 海水不可斗量。 (Fánrén bù kě màoxiàng, hǎishuǐ bù kě dòuliàng)

Man cannot be judged by looks; seas cannot be measured by the cup.

Explanation: If you judge people purely based on the way they look then you may miss out the truest of friends. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

5. 朋友的眼睛是最好的镜子。(péngyou de yănjing shì zuìhăo de jìngzi.)

The best mirror is a friend’s eyes.

Explanation: People are often too critical about themselves and undermine themselves. Friends can offer an objective perspective and help us understand ourselves better.

Chinese Proverbs About Family

1.  但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。(Dànyuàn rénchángjiǔ, qiānlǐ gòngchánjuān)

Wishing a person a long life, no matter how far away from the moon they are.

Explanation: No matter how far up you are from your family  you will always have some sort of connection to them. A popular Mid-Autumn Festival saying, this Chinese philosophy proverb is often quoted to convey feelings of love and homesickness. 

See also: 5 Chinese Poems About the Mid-Autumn Festival

2. 家和万事兴。 (Jiāhé wànshìxīnɡ)

If the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper.

Explanation: Family comes first. If the family is divided, then things will fall apart, and nothing in their lives will be successful.

3.  不当家，不知柴米贵。(Bù dānɡjiā，bùzhī chái mǐ ɡuì.)

One can’t tell the cost of the fuel and rice without being the head of the family.

Explanation: Only those who take responsibilities know how difficult it is to get anything done.

4. 家家有本难念的经。 (Jiājiā yǒu běn nán niàn de jīnɡ)

Every family has its problems.

Explanation There is no such thing as a perfect family, so if members of your family are divided or fighting don’t feel discouraged because every family has its problems. Similar to the saying “there are  skeletons in every family’s closet”.

5. 家丑不可外扬。 (Jiāchǒu bù kě wài yánɡ)

Family shames must not be spread abroad.

Explanation: If you care for and  respect your family, you will keep family matters to yourself. Giving light to the idea of maintaining your family’s honour.

Chinese Proverbs About Love

1. 执子之手，与子偕老。 (Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xiélǎo)

Hold hands with you, grow old with you.

Explanation: Expressing the idea of lifelong love and commitment between partners.

2. 爱屋及乌。(Ai wū jí wū)

Love the house and its crow.

Explanation: Similar meaning to the English proverb “Love me, love my dog,” this Chinese philosophy quotes advises that if you love someone, you should accept everything and everyone that the person loves.

3. 情人眼里出西施。 (Qínɡrén yǎnlǐ chū xīshī)

In a lover’s eye is the foremost Beauty.

Explanation: Someone who is in love with you sees you as the truest form of beauty. You will always be beautiful to the person who loves you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

4. 当我看着你，我看到我的未来岁月在我的眼 (Dāng wǒ kànzhe nǐ, wǒ kàn dào wǒ de wèilái suìyuè zài wǒ de yǎn)

When I look at you, I see the rest of my life in front of my eyes.

Explanation: This proverb is commonly featured in vows when two people are to be wed.

5. 有情饮水饱，无情食饭饥。 (Yǒuqínɡ yínshuǐbǎo, wúqínɡ shífànjī)

With love water is enough; without love, food doesn’t satisfy.

Explanation: “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” Everything is better in life when you have love in it.

We hope you found this list of Chinese philosophy quotes as inspiring, motivating, and enlightening as we do. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with all our latest content!

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