Chinese Proverbs and Sayings

Front

莫等闲，白了少年头，空悲切。

Back

Don't wait idly; when youth is gone, regret comes too late.

Front

少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。

Back

If you don't work hard when young, you'll only regret it when old.

Front

一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴。

Back

An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but you can't buy that inch of time with gold.

Front

一年之计在于春，一日之计在于晨。

Back

The plan for the year is made in spring; the plan for the day is made in the morning.

Front

明日复明日，明日何其多，日日待明日，万事成蹉跎。

Back

Tomorrow after tomorrow, how many tomorrows there are! Waiting for tomorrow, all things come to naught.

Front

黑发不知勤学早，白发方悔读书迟。

Back

Those with black hair do not know the importance of studying early; only when their hair turns white do they regret studying too late.

Front

助人为快乐之本。

Back

Helping others is the foundation of happiness.

Front

赠人玫瑰，手留余香。

Back

Giving roses to others leaves a fragrance on your hands.

Front

人人为我，我为人人。

Back

Everyone for me, I for everyone.

Front

老吾老以及人之老，幼吾幼以及人之幼。

Back

Respect the elderly as you would your own, and care for the young as you would your own.