Chinese Proverbs

• A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.
• A child's fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother puts into his palm.
• An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb.
• A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.
• A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.
• As the dog said, 'If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is playing.'
• Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.
• If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.
• If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something.
• Looking at a king's mouth one would never think he sucked his mother's breast.
• People should not talk while they are eating or pepper may go down the wrong way.
• The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.
• The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did.
• The mouth which eats does not talk.
• The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.
• Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.
• When a man says yes, his chi (personal god) says yes also.
• When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.
• You can tell a ripe corn by its look.
• You must judge a man by the work of his hands.