![]() No matter where the English quote came from, the notion is observed by the Chinese and non-Chinese-there is greater value in learning or being taught rather than just receiving a handout. Some argue it originated from this particular Chinese proverb, while others say it came from the Native Americans or somewhere else. Many have contested the origin of this quote. We all know the adage, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Pinyin: shòu rén yǐ yú, bù rú shòu zhī yǐ yú. 授人以鱼,不如授之以渔。- Giving a man a fish is not equal to teaching him how to fish. Or at least, get as much of it done as time permits. Thus, if you set out to accomplish something for the day, then get it done. Leaving everything to the last minute does nothing for you in the long run except build bad habits. Many of us have a tendency to put off even the simplest tasks because we’re either not in the mood or the task itself is not enjoyable. Procrastination is a widely shared setback. 今日事,今日毕。- Today’s task is for today to complete. You have to put the time and work in if you want to master anything, be that Mandarin Chinese, a technical skill or an artistic pursuit. Though some people are naturally gifted, the truth is that practice makes perfect. While the Chinese saying is about not expecting quick results, my personal interpretation is that one setback will not ruin your progress entirely. Here is a quote that’s very similar to, “Rome was not built in a day.” 成 (chéng) - to finish, to accomplish, to turn into 一口吃不成胖子。- One mouthful will not make a fat man. Once we get over our fear of taking risks, however, we realize that the biggest hurdle is letting ourselves be vulnerable to mistakes, and accepting that failure is part of growth. We often find excuses for not taking on anything new in our lives. ![]() Whether you’re thinking about taking up a new language or transitioning into a healthier lifestyle, just the idea of getting started can be quite intimidating. 头 (tóu) - head, top, beginning, end, first Trying to yield faster results for the sake of convenience won’t do you any good. Just like you would not skip ahead when following a recipe, take things one step at a time in whatever you’re trying to accomplish. 循序渐进。- Follow the order to gradually move forward. It’s like the saying, “Don’t run before you can walk.” 4. It’s better that you take your time so your progress is nice, steady and consistent. We have to stop being in a rush all the time, looking for instant gratification. Literally meaning, “Want something in haste but cannot there,” this Chinese quote emphasizes that speeding up does not mean you will necessarily cross the finish line faster. 则 (zé) - but, then norm, standard to imitate Progress and growth take time, and it’s important to exercise patience with whatever journey you’re currently on. It’s true that there’s a lot you can accomplish in a day, but do not be disappointed when you don’t see any visible progress. Pinyin: bīng dòng sān chǐ, fēi yī rì zhī hán. 冰冻三尺,非一日之寒。- Three feet of ice does not form in a single day. No matter how slowly you think you’re moving towards a goal, slow progress is always better than no progress at all! 2. The main idea here is that the only thing you should fear is staying in one place and never progressing. When literally translated word for word, the saying is actually, “Do not be afraid of slow, only be afraid to stop.” 不怕慢, 就怕站。- Be not afraid of growing slowly, only of staying still. (Download) Chinese Proverbs About Patienceġ. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that youĬlick here to get a copy. What You Can Learn from Chinese Quotes and Proverbs.书是随身携带的花园。- A book is a garden you carry around with you. 不入虎穴,焉得虎子?- If you do not enter the tiger’s den, how will you get the tiger cub? 学习是永远跟随主人的宝物。- Learning is a treasure that always follows its owner. ![]() So whether you need some motivation to overcome an obstacle in your Mandarin studies, or simply need words of encouragement to carry on, we have 12 uplifting quotes in Chinese to get you through tough times! ![]() It’s expressions like this that remind us the bumps in the road we sometimes face can be overcome. Life can be pretty rough at times, which can make it hard for us to remain positive 100% of the time.īut as the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” ![]() Have you been feeling down in the dumps lately? ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |