Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Collection Of Chinese Proverbs And Apothegms,
A man never opens a book without reaping some advantage from it . A man without equity , application , or politeness , is a wild beast with a bonnet on his head . An inconstant man will never make a good astrologer nor physician . A modest woman never marries two husbands ; a faithful minister never serves two kings . [ The Chinese erect triumphal archesand
, canonize for saints such widows as have firmly resisted second offers of marriage : and ; on a revolution of government the Mandarines have frequently refused to survive their dethroned masters . 3 A pismire and a rat are very little insects ; yet all beings formed of the five elements are liable to be destroyed by as vile animals . [ The five elementsaccording to the Chinesearewoodfireearth
, , , , , , metal , and water . ] A thumb below is more to be regarded than a hundred arms on high : more attention is due to one step behind , than to a hundred leagues before . [ The obvious meaning of this enigmatical proverb is , that present possessions , though small , are of more importance than the greatest in reversion . Thus we say , a bird in hand is worth
avo in the bush . A wise Prince is safe in ramparts of gold . [ Meaning the affections af his subjects , and the wisdom of his ministers . ] A word once let fall cannot be fetched back with a chariot and four horses . Adversity is an admirable medicine , whereof one dose cures many diseasesand secures the health of him who takes it all his life .
, All the grains of rice served up in your dish have been watered with the sweat of the labourer . All the constellations preside over the Empire of China , so as to concern themselves with no other countries . [ This is a plain picture of the Chinese vanity . The Emperor Cang-hi was wont to laugh at this prejudice , and to beg of his people to leave a few stars
for the good of their nei ghbours . ]] An amiable Prince is the Father and Mother of his people . Avoid a blast of wind , as carefully as the poiut of an arrow . [ The Spaniards say , De viento que entra por horrado te gitarde dios . i . e „ From a wind that comes through a hole good Lord deliver us I ] Do not entertain a man , who hath just received a disappointment , with an account of your own success .
Every one knows Ins own necessity , whether it be hunger , co'ld , or heat , [ We say , Every one knows where his own shoe pinches . '} He spends as if his father were receiver of the Emperor ' s revenue in the province of Tuk-na ' n . [ Gold-dust is gathered out of the rivers in this province . ] Pie who aims at being virtuous , is like a man who climbs up a steep mountain : he who abandons himself to viceis like a man who
de-, scends a very steep precipice . He who is observed by ten eyes , and pointed at by teh fingers ., how cautious should he live ! - He who suffers hath some comfort in singing his pains : rThe
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Collection Of Chinese Proverbs And Apothegms,
A man never opens a book without reaping some advantage from it . A man without equity , application , or politeness , is a wild beast with a bonnet on his head . An inconstant man will never make a good astrologer nor physician . A modest woman never marries two husbands ; a faithful minister never serves two kings . [ The Chinese erect triumphal archesand
, canonize for saints such widows as have firmly resisted second offers of marriage : and ; on a revolution of government the Mandarines have frequently refused to survive their dethroned masters . 3 A pismire and a rat are very little insects ; yet all beings formed of the five elements are liable to be destroyed by as vile animals . [ The five elementsaccording to the Chinesearewoodfireearth
, , , , , , metal , and water . ] A thumb below is more to be regarded than a hundred arms on high : more attention is due to one step behind , than to a hundred leagues before . [ The obvious meaning of this enigmatical proverb is , that present possessions , though small , are of more importance than the greatest in reversion . Thus we say , a bird in hand is worth
avo in the bush . A wise Prince is safe in ramparts of gold . [ Meaning the affections af his subjects , and the wisdom of his ministers . ] A word once let fall cannot be fetched back with a chariot and four horses . Adversity is an admirable medicine , whereof one dose cures many diseasesand secures the health of him who takes it all his life .
, All the grains of rice served up in your dish have been watered with the sweat of the labourer . All the constellations preside over the Empire of China , so as to concern themselves with no other countries . [ This is a plain picture of the Chinese vanity . The Emperor Cang-hi was wont to laugh at this prejudice , and to beg of his people to leave a few stars
for the good of their nei ghbours . ]] An amiable Prince is the Father and Mother of his people . Avoid a blast of wind , as carefully as the poiut of an arrow . [ The Spaniards say , De viento que entra por horrado te gitarde dios . i . e „ From a wind that comes through a hole good Lord deliver us I ] Do not entertain a man , who hath just received a disappointment , with an account of your own success .
Every one knows Ins own necessity , whether it be hunger , co'ld , or heat , [ We say , Every one knows where his own shoe pinches . '} He spends as if his father were receiver of the Emperor ' s revenue in the province of Tuk-na ' n . [ Gold-dust is gathered out of the rivers in this province . ] Pie who aims at being virtuous , is like a man who climbs up a steep mountain : he who abandons himself to viceis like a man who
de-, scends a very steep precipice . He who is observed by ten eyes , and pointed at by teh fingers ., how cautious should he live ! - He who suffers hath some comfort in singing his pains : rThe