■ Book, 55 4 話 A COLLECTION OE CHINESE PROVERBS TRANSLATED AND ARRANGED BY WILLIAM SOARBOROU&H, WESLEYAN MISSIONARY, HANKOW. With an Introduction, Notes, and Copious Index. SHANGHAI:' AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN MISSION PRESS. London: Triibner and Co" 57 and 59 Ltidgate Hill. In Exchange Yale Univ. LiDt 18 Mr 1907 V Page. . " 3. 一 Happiness. - -- - - -- -- - 139 " 4. 一 Injuries, Given and Sustained. -- --- 147 ，， 5.— Life and Death. -' 153 ，， 6. ~ Mourning and Burial. 一 - -- -- - 160 ，， 7. 一 Eeputation. - -- - -- - - -- 163 " 8. ― Wine. The pleasures etc. of, - - - - - 167 SECTION IX. ON LANGUAGE. Chapter 1. 一 Conversation. - - - - - - - - - - 172 ，， 2. —Similes. 178 3.— Words. - 183 SECTION X. ON LAW AKD GOVERNMENT. Chapter 1. 一 Laws and Penalties. - - 190 ，， 2. — Litigation. - -- - - -- -- - 192 ,， 3.— Officers. Civil. 196 ，， 4.— Officers. Military. -------- 202 ，， 5. 一 Yamens and Yamea Eunners. 204 SECTION XL ON MAN* Chapter 1. ~ Mankind. - - - - -- -- -- - 206 ,， 2.— Men. Different sorts of, 208 (1) Aged men. -. -- 208 (2) Bad men. 211 (3) Clever Men. 215 (4) Conceited Men. 218 (5) Deformed Men. 221 (6) Excitable and Anxious Men. - - - - 223 (7) Good Men. --------- 225 (8) Hypocrites. 228 (9) Kich and Poor Men. See Section on Wealth. 445 (10) Stupid Men. (11) Superior and Mean Men. - (12) Young Mea. - --- (13) Women. (14) Miscellaneous. - - - - Chapter 3. ~ Nature. Human, - - - - SECTION XII. ON MANNERS. Chapter 1. 一 Bearing and Politeness. - - ,， 2. 一 Compliments. ------ ，， 3. ― Presents. - --- --- ，， 4. 一 Visiting. Etiquette of, - - - SECTION XIII. 0IS T MEDICINE. 、 Chapter 1. 一 Disease. - . - - - .. - - * „ 2.— Doctors. - -- - - - 一 SECTION XIV. ON MORALS. Chapter 1. 一 Conscience. ------ ，， 2. 一 Good Works. " 3. 一 Keproof and Good Counsel. - - " 4 .~ Vices. -------- (1) Flattery. ——- - - - - (2) Hypocrisy and Deceit. - - (3) Ingratitude. --- -- (4) Meanness. --- -- (5) Quarrelling, and Violence. - (6) Selfishness. -- --- (7) Slander. ------ (8) Stealing. ------ (9) Various w 力 92 6749991238268 ^JSSSSMMM JQ5S&$S ^ 7 778888990^9000 ^ 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 22 2222222222333 Vll Chapter 5. 一 Virtue and Vice. - -- - - " 6. ― Virtues. ------- (1) Concession and Forbearance. (2) Contentment. -- --- (3) Filial Piety. - - -. - - (4) Generosity and Kindness. - (5) Gratitude. ------ SECTION XV. ON PEUDENCE. Chapter 1. 一 Caution. ------- " 2. 一 Discretion. ------ ，， 3. ~ Economy. ------- " 4.— Experience. -- — --一 ，， 5. 一 Forethought. ------ ，， 6. — Imprudence. - - - --- SECTION XVI. ON THE FIVE RELATIONS. Chapter 1. 一 Prince and Minister. - - - -、 ，， 2. — Parents and Children. --- ，, 3. 一 Husbands and Wives. --- ，， 4. ~ Elder and Younger Brothers. - ，， 5. 一 Friends. - „ 6. ― Various. --- _ - -誦 SECTION XVII. ON RELIGION. Chapter 1. 一 Heaven, or God. -- --- ，， 2. — Idols and Idolatry. -- -- ，， 3. 一 Priests and Nuns. - --- ,, 4. 一 Rewards and Punishments. - - ^ o 4 4 8 9 o 2 71111122 ^ 3333333 p 6 2 9 2 5 9 2 3 3 4 4 4 2 8 4 8 9 9 o o Vlll SECTION XVIII. ON TIMES. Chapter 1. 一 Seasons. ,， 2.— Time. - 3. 一 Weather. SECTION XIX. ON TRAVEL. Chapter 1. 一 Scenery. - ，， 2 Travelling. SECTION XX. ON WEALTH AND POVFRTY, Chapter 1. 一 Poverty. - - - 2. 一 Poor Men. - 一 3. — Rich Men. - - 4. ~~ Eich and Poor Men. 5. 一 Kiches. - 6. 一 Riches and Poverty. Miscellaneous, Index. ― - • ^ 4 7 o ^444 7 9 2 2 4 4 5 1 3 4 4 4 5 1- 1 1 6 4 PEEF ACE This Collection of Chinese Proverbs owes its publi- cation to the belief that there is room for a work of the kind, and that such a work can hardly fail to be both useful and interesting. That the ground is almost unoccupied is easily shown. As far as I can learn, the small compilation of " Chinese Moral Maxims " by Sir J. R Davis, containing only 200 examples, published in 1823， and now for a long time out of print ； and the 441 examples contained in the u Proverbes Chi- nois" by P. Perny M. A., published in 1869， are the only books that have ever appeared on the subject. Add to these a number of scattered lists, and especially those to be found in Mr. Doolittle's " Hand-book of the Chinese Language/' and we have all the previous literature of this subject under our notice. The probable usefulness of such a book as tliis I gather partly from my own experience, and partly from the observations of many others. A knowledge of their proverbs is of great value to all who are brought into contact with the Chinese; it is especially so to the Missionary in preaching to them ； and even to the general reader, a translation, however imperfect, cannot be without its use and interest. In order that the present compilation may prove useful to those who desire to study both the language and the people of this great empire, I have spared no pains in its preparation ； and I feel assured that any faults which may be discovered therein, are not the result of over haste, or carelessness. It woul3. have been easy to have doubled the size of this compilation, but I have deemed it wiser to publish, only a part of the proverbs in my possession. In doing so the readers convenience has been con- sulted ； and it is hoped that this collection will be found large enough for all practical purposes. In writing out the sounds of the Chinese characters I have adopted Mr. Wade's system of orthography and tones, being under the impression that that is the one at present most widely known, and most generally admired. In regard to the translations, it may be remarked that in a few cases the vulgarity of the proverb has not allowed of a literal rendering ； and tliat in many others I have refrained from translating the Chinese by an equivalent English proverb, thinking that a literal translation must be more interesting, while at the same time it could not fail to call up to the reader's mind English, French, or other equivalents. It will be observed that most of the chapters begin with a number of rhymed translations. As a principle, I think it right that proverbs rhyming in the original should do so in translation; hence I have endeavoured so to translate all such as rhymed to my ear in the Hankow dialect. The task has been anything but easy, and my attempts at versification may be rough and faulty, but I hope they will not be found un- endurable. The Classification of proverbs is, confessedly, a most difficult undertaking ； but, considering the care bestow- ed thereon, I venture to hope that this compilation will be found tolerably convenient and satisfactory as a book of reference. In making this selection of pro- verbs, it was not thought fair to exclude altogether Ill the vulgar and immoral. A few of these are ad- mitted 一 veiled under free translations 一 as the re- presentatives of a class, whicli, so far as my experience goes, is not a very large one. Classical proverbial sayings are omitted, since they are well known to be quotations from the standard works. My most sincere thanks are due to Messrs. A, Wylie and W. Warrick, for their kindness in reading the greater part of the proofs. Ofelier gentlemen have aided and encouraged me in different ways, and to them also this expression of my gratitude is due. W. Hankow. May 8th 1875. INTEODUCTION. Proverbial Philosophy, if genuine, commands the suffrages of all nations. By common consent Asia is acknowledged to be the soil in which it grows to most perfection ； and of all Asiatic countries, perhaps China above all others supports and justifies the general opinion. Even a slight acquaintance with the lan- guage and people of this country is enough to convince any one of its riclmess in the maxims of proverbial wisdom. And the closer ones acquaintance becomes, the higher grows our estimate of the value of an exten- sive knowledge of this branch of native literature. By some, mere lists of proverbs may be treated with contempt, and knowledge of proverbial lore esteemed a light thing in comparison with, skill in other bran- ches of philology ； but the man does not deserve to become proverbial for his philosophy , who can in any way discountenance the study of the folk-lore of an empire like that of China. The proverbs of China deserve a careful and enthusiastic study. Naturally enougli, the Header will here expect to find some definition of the subject of this essay. Definitions of proverbs in general have not been at- tended with very great success ； certainly they have not been very unanimous. Eay defines a proverb to be, ― " a short sentence or phrase in common use, con- taining some trope, figure, homonymy, rhyme, or other novity of expression.^ According to Bohn， a proverb is " an instructive sentence, or common and jpithy saying." The Imperial Dictionary defines a V proverb as "a short and pithy sentence often repeated, expressing a well known truth, or common fact, as- certained by experience or observation." There are few who are not familiar with. Lord John Eussells definition 一 " The wisdom of many, and the wit of one." And there are fewer who will not be glad to be reminded of Tennyson's. 一 • "Jewels five-words long, That, on the stretch'd fore-finger of all Time, Sparkle for ever." None of these definitions can be accepted as accurate, or nearly accurate, descriptions of that which the Chinese themselves call 俗 話 Su J hua 9 or a Common Saying. A Chinese proverb is something almost, if not utterly, indefinable. Of course it bears, in several features, a strong likeness to other branches of the family in various countries ； but, of " that sententious 、！ brevity," which is said to " constitute the principal beauty of a proverb" 一 of that brevity without ob- scurity, which is said to be the very soul of a proverb, it is often totally lacking. Other features it has whicli are peculiarly its own, and which impart to it a terseness, beauty, and symmetry, inimitable, at least in the English language. In order that we may discuss the subject of Chinese Proverbs with some degree of completeness, let us direct our attention to their Number, Sources, Form, Qualities, and Uses. I. 一: NTJMBEIR, The number of Chinese proverbs is certainly very great. In proof of this it is only needful to point to the frequent recurrence of them in the conversation of the people. No matter what may be the topic of conversa- tion, a proverb suitable to the occasion is very likely VI to be forthcoming. Further proof of this is found in the readiness with which almost any educated man can write off long lists of proverbs from memory. And still further proof is afforded by the great number to be found in native books. In his " Curiosities of Literature," Disraeli assigns to the whole of Europe 20,000 proverbs : China could probably furnish an equal number. Nor should we look upon the great number and frequent recurrence of such maxims as matter of surprise ； for, there is some tiling in the humorous and cynical nature of proverbs, certain to recommend them strongly to such a people as the Chinese. Be- sides, they are a people glad to be saved the trouble of thinking for themselves, and therefore predisposed to adopt the maxims of others who have, by common consent, been esteemed wise men. Moreover, the writings of Confucius, Facile princeps of China's sages, contain very much of that brevity and senten- tiousness characteristic of proverbs in general. And there can be little doubt that ；， of all language, the Chinese is best adapted to such kind of speech.* Its marvellous flexibility enables it to take any mould the whim of man or custom may suggest ； its remarkable copiousness affords an almost unlimited scope in the selection of words, its extreme conciseness fits it to express the greatest number of ideas in the fewest possible symbols ； whilst the peculiar construction of its written characters gives it a power of playing upon words altogether unparalleled. 十 * See M. Julien's "Syntaxe nouvelle de la Latigue Chinoise," p. 2, Max Muller's u Lectures on the science of language, pp. 120, 322. t For a good instance of this, see the proverb number 2720— too long for in- sertion in this place. Vll II.-SOUROES. The Foreign sources of Chinese proverbs have been, up to this time, somewhat meagre. The subject could not fail to attract the attention, and to excite the in- terest, of those Foreign sinologues who have written on China ； hence very few books have appeared, either on the language or people, which have not contained some reference to it, and a specimen list of proverbs. Beyond these numerous lists in which the same ex- amples are repeated again and again, there have only, to my knowledge, appeared two small works exclu- sively on this subject, namely, those of Sir. John. F. Davis and P. Perny. The " Vocabulary and Hand- book of the Chinese Language/' published in 1872， by the Eev. Justus Doolittle, contains by far the greatest number of proverbs ever before translated into English or any other Western language. They were supplied by various parsemiographers, and print- ed, unfortunately, with little or no attempt at clas- sification or arrangement. Turning to Native sources we find almost the same meagreness. The proverbial lore of China remains yet to be written. Of the vast mass of proverbs in existence, only very few, comparatively, have been reduced to writing and printed in books. A few collections are to be found, and many specimens to be met with scattered over various works, but no book of any size has been compiled on this subject. The reason of this is, probably, the low esteem in which the literati are accustomed to hold all such publica- tions. One of the best and most popular books of this class is the Chien -]^ n-hsien-win (鑑 本賢 文)， C A Book of Selected Virtuous Lore ' ― otlienvise, and Vlll more commonly called the TsHg-huang (堦廣 )， or 6 Great Collection/ Notwithstanding this latter title it is only a small book of 22 pages, containing about 350 proverbs. Its date and authorship are alike unknown. The book itself is known to almost every- one, and if we may judge from a proverb which says that ― " Who ever has read the Tseng-kuang is able to converse*" ― it is duly appreciated. Another collection of proverbs, or as Sir John Davis calls it, "a dictionary of quotations," is the Ming-hsin-pao - chien (明 ^ ^ 鑑), "A Precious Mir- ror to throw light on the mind." This work, not nearly so colloquial as the preceding one, is held in liigher esteem by native scholars. It contains about 430 proverbs, arranged in 20 chapters ； the compilers name, however, is withheld, and nothing can be learned respecting its origin. Many proverbs are found scattered throughout the Yu-hsio (幼學 )， or cc Youths' Instructor," an ency- clopedia in four volumes, divided into 33 chapters, containing much useful and interesting matter. Be- ginning with a chapter on Creation and Astronomy, it runs through, almost every imaginable subject, stopping with a chapter on Flowers and Trees. A great number of very excellent proverbs may be found in the Chieh - j&n-i (解 人 頤)， a work in two volumes, divided into eight sections, by % Hu Tan An, It has been published some time during the present dynasty, and the latest edition is dated 1859. It is a compilation in prose and verse of many interesting things on domestic duties, morals, and manners. The Chia-pao-ch^uan-chi (家 寳全 集)， or 'Com- plete Collection of Family Treasures', is a book out of * See proverb number 507. ix which many proverbs may be gathered. It is a work in 32 volumes, divided into four collections : the first collection treats of the fundamentals of Happiness and longevity ； the second, of self-government and the government of a family ； the third, of stirring men up to intelligence ； and the fourtli, of harmonious dispositions. The author of this highly esteemed work is Shih THen-chi 天 基)， who published it in the A6th year of the reign of Kanghi, A. D. 1707. The amplification of theSheng-yil 諭)， or" Sacred Edict," well as the Kan-ying jpHen (蹿鹰 篇)， or " Book of Eewards ajid Punishments/^ supplies several useful examples. The s^ime may be said of the well- known tractate of Chu Pai - lu (杀 柏 魔)， called Chu- tzu-chia-yen (苯 子家言 )， or ' The Household Eules of the Philosoplier Chu/ But vhen all the native literature oil the subject h^s been gathered together, it still remains certain that the bulk of the pro- verbs current in the land, exist only in the memo- ries and on the lips of the population. III-FORM. Nothing will sooner strike one who examines a number of Chinese proverbs than the fact of their extpeme diversity of form. It may seem, at first, as tho.ngh there were no rules shaping tliem after any modS§ whatever. But, just as to the eye of a skilful botanist, the promiscuous growths on the sides of a sliady stream fall into ranks and classes, so to one ^vho examines these proverbs with ar 7 little care, they will be seen to class themselves together, until, out of what seemed a perfect chaos, several orders arise. The first and greatest law evident in the formation of Chinese proverbs is that of Parallelism. Great X numbers of them take the form of Couplets. This may be accounted for by the facts that couplet making is a favourite amusement of the educated classes, and that couplets, wlien well turned, are objects of their intense admiration. Of these Couplet-proverbs there are three kinds. The first and most important of these is the tui-tzU (對 子)， or Antithetical Couplet. This is formed accor- ding to strictly technical rules. A tui-tzU may con- tain any number of words, but the most frequent number is seven in each. line. It must be so "written that the order of the Tones in the first line shall be, firstly deflected, secondly even, and thirdly deflected ； in the second line, firstly even, secondly deflected, and thirdly even ； or vice versa. Should the first, third, or fifth characters violate this rule, it is of no consequence ； the second, fourth, and sixth cannot be allowed to do so. It is essential also that the last character in the first line should be in a deflected tone, and the last in the second line in an even tone. The same cha- racters may not be repeated in either line ； and it is essential that there be an antithesis, as well in the sense as in the tones, of the words composing the two lines of the couplet. It is also a rule that particles must be placed in antithesis to particles ； and nouns, verbs, etc" to nouns, verbs, etc. The following example with, be found to illustrate all these particulars.^ 天上 衆星皆 拱牝. THen 1 shang 4 chung 4 hsing 1 cLieh 1 kung 3 pei 3 ； 世 間 無 '水 不朝東 Shih 4 chien 1 wu 2 shui 3 pu 4 ch^ao 2 tung. 1 * That this description may become more intelligible to any reader unacquainted with the Chinese language, I may observe that the even tones are those uuriiber* ed one and two, the deflected tones are those numbered three and four. XI " All the stars of heaven salute the north 3 every stream flows towards the east :" i. e. The Emperor is the centre of attraction. How highly the Chinese themselves prize these tu" tzu may be gathered from the following story. For- merly an Imperial Examiner from Peking, surnamed ShS (snake), seeing the haughty inscription over one of the entrances to the examination hall at Wuchang — " Only the men of Hu-quang possess talent/' 一 re- sented the statement, declaring that he would issue one line of a tui-tzu to which no Hu-quang man could write a reply. Accordingly lie put forth his riddle in the following line : — 七鴨浮 $ 數數三 雙一隻 " S^ven ducks floating on the Chiang ； reckon as you will are only three couples and one." On his return to Peking he mentioned this circumstance to Hsiung Tzu-hang (熊 子剛 )， an officer in the capital, who happened to be a tiu-quang man. Said he, " there are no men of talent in Hu-quang ； I put out a couplet line to which nobody could reply." "In- deed," said Hsuing Tzu-kang, "what was it you gave them V， On hearing the line given above, he guilefully replied, u I have heard that a response Jhas been written," Thereupon he repeated to the astonished Examiner his own impromptu line, as follows : — 尺 蛇出涧 量量九 寸十分 A " Snake a foot long comes out of its hole : measure as you will it is only 11 inches and 8 eighths long." So the Hu-quang man got the best of the joke, and at the same time vindicated his fellow provincials from the charge of stupidity. After the tui-tzu, the next class of couplet-pro- Xll verbs to be mentioned is one which the Chinese call lien-chil (聯 句)， or Connected Sentences. The pro- verbs in this class are exceedingly numerous ； they are of various lengths, of different styles* of composi- tion, and are informal in all else but the correspond- ing number of words in each line. There is generally, however, a sharp antithesis* between the first and second lines. One example will suffice for illustration; 窮莫與 畲長富 莫與. 官鬬 CMung 2 mo 4 yu 3 fu 4 ton 4 ; fa 4 mo 4 yii 3 kuari 1 ton. 4 "The poor must not quarrel with the rich ； nor the rich with magistrates." Another class of couplet-proverbs is composed of such as rhyme. Of these there are a great many which do not seem to rhyme to a foreigner ； and, on the other hand, lie can hear many rhymes where the native can hear none. The explanation of this is> that in order to rhyme to a native ear, the tones must correspond ； while a foreigner's ear catches the ring of the rhyme through all such artificial distinctions-. One example will suffice to show how melodiously- some in this class of proverbs can chime. 好秦鹩 m m 关卞一 大半 《Hao 3 cli^i 1 wa 2 ? hao 3 Wn， 4 t^ien 1 hsia 4 i 1 taf pan 3 ; 好 瀵 無好妻 天下一 夭 堆 ? Hao 3 r han 4 Wu 2 %ao 3 *i, 4 t^ien 1 Lsia 4 i 1 ta 4 tui. 1 " In the great majority of cases, Wives have fair and husbands ugly faces ； But there are many, on the other side, "Where the man is bound to an ugly bride. >; We have now done with Parallelism and its influ: ence on the formation of proverfe^ «and must briefly glance at such as are cast in a more irtegulat and * See a striking example Of this antithesis in proverb No. 1674. Xlll prosaic mould. Among these a small numbei" is dis- covered possessing a kind of rhythm, which gives to the proverbs in question a very easy and flowing ut- terance, almost deserving for them a place along with the versified classes. An example of this is found in 翻 following. ― 紐 得過. 人來， 紐 不過天 Niu 3 , te 2 kub 4 jen 2 laij 2 riiu 3 pu 4 kuo 4 t^ieu. 1 u Man can be bound, but Heaven cannot." The great bulk of these prose-prdverbs are prosaic enough. Many of them consist of one plain sentence ; such, as ― 君 子 言前。 不言後 Chun 1 tzu s yen 2 chHen^, pu 4 " yen 2 hou^ 6 'The superior man speaks beforehand, not when all is over." Many others are most irregu- lar in shape, amply deserving the name given to them by the Chinese of 長短句 ch^ang-tuan-chu, or 'Long and Short Sentences.' 1 Enough having now been said on the Form oT construction of proverbs, we will proceed to consider the more interesting subject of their qualities. IV— QUALITIES. It will surprise no one to learn that many of the proverbs of China are low, vulgar, and licentious. It could hardly be otherwise, considering the morally de- praved condition of the Cliinese as a nation. Never- theless, it is much to the credit of heathen China that, i'n this respect, ker proverbs do not compare unfavour- ably with those of Christian England. Nor will any one at all familiar with the Ckinese, he surprised to hear that many of their proverbs are expressive of the highest morality. They are not to be excelled in their praise of virtue and denunciation 1 See the proverb No. 2597, too long for quotation, for a striking illustration of f this point. of vice, But, while giving them credit for so many virtuous sayings, the error must be avoided of credit- ing tliem with anything like a corresponding amount of virtue or morality. They are not so good as their proverbs ； "for they say, and do not" Still it is a matter for congratulation to find so many closely resembling the sayings of Holy Writ 1 Many of the Proverbs of Solomon have their counterparts in the proverbs of China- And it will be admitted that in the following, selected out of many quite as good; the tone of morality falls little below that of the Christian standard. 6 Better not do kindnesses at all than do them in the hope of recompence/ 2 《 Kind- ness is greater than law., 2 6 Do good regardless of consequences/ 2 c It is a little thing to starve to death ； it is a serious matter to lose one's virtue/ 2 ^ Beauty of sentiment and expression are by no means rare in Chinese proverbs. Expressive of the transient character of earthly happiness, we have ― ' The bright moon is not round for long ； the brilliant cloud is easily scattered/ 3 The Vanity and emptiness of earthly wealth and fame could hardly be more beautifully expressed than in the following couplet : 'Wealth among men is like dew among plants : Foam on the waves is the fame which earth grants/ 3 f Good words are like a string of pearls/ 3 is perhaps less ornate, but certainly it is little less beautiful than Solomon s ~ ^"a Word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." 4 And how could the danger of unguarded speech be more beautifully expressed 1 Reference to the Index will give a list of these. 2 See Nos. 1895, 1898, 1655, 1835. 3 See Nos. 830, 962, 1120, 1123. 4 Prov.. 25: 11. XV than in the following ？ ― c As the light of a single star tinges the mountains of many regions ； so a single unguarded expression injures the virtue of a whole life/ 3 Many more such, examples might be quoted, but these few will suffice to show that the proverbs of China are not all bald, prosy, and utilitarian. Great numbers of proverbs might be quoted to illustrate the quality of Shrewdness ； and the difficulty is to know which to select Let the following, taken almost at random, suffice. i Don't buy everything that's cheap, and youll escape being greatly taken in., 1 ( Before you calculate on buyiiig, calculate on selling/ 1 ( It is not so safe to open the mouth, as it is to keep it shut/ 1 c It takes little time to reprove a man ； but it takes a long time to forget reproof/ 1 ( He learns less who looks on than he does who makes ； Less by mere doing than by many mistakes/ 1 The cynical element, said almost always to charac- terize the true proverb, abounds in those now under discussion. Tried by this test they are proverbs of the first water. 6 A dwarf cannot kick up his feet to any great height/ 2 《 Though a dumb man has eaten gentian lie keeps his trouble to himself '^ 6 Hoping to lift up his head, he lifts up his feet : i. e. dies, 2 ' Get the coffin ready and the man won't die.^ c Men mourn for those who leave fortunes behind them.' 2 < The head may be cut off, but the tongue cannot be restrained/ 2 Of Wit and Humour abundance can be found in Chinese proverbs ； much more of the latter than the former. To the reader it shall be left to classify, ac- 1 See Nos. 220, 233, 1050, 1692， 2022. 2 See Nos. 705, 787, 801, 931, 958, 1042. XVI cording to his own taste, the following specimens under one or other of these two categories. A not yery thriving business is denoted by the saying. 6 To sell a couple of cucumbers in three days/* 6 When there's augjit to do, the mor^e the better ； not so when there's aught to eat."- It is against anything but a doting husband that the following shaft of ridicule is shot : 'To flit and forget to take one's wife/?- The Argu- mentum ad hominem is somewhat droll in the fpl- lowing example : c The lion opens his mouth ； tlje elephant shuts his ； shut yours/ 1 An iiadividual out of whom no ray of wisdom shines, is spoken qf as c a leather lantern. 1 ' In this class Pui^s may be included. These, however, to be enjoyed, must be read in the original. 2 Filially, under the head of Qualities, it must be observed, that amongst Chinese proverbs there are many closely resembling those well known in the West. We find " Practice make 岑 perfect/^ in words which cannot well be otherwise translated. The same may be said of " Easier said than done ； " 3 of " Never too old to learn ；" 3 and several others. " Tqo many cooks spoil the broth," is expressed in Chinese by, ' Seven hands and eight feet.) "Bad workmen quarrel with their tools/' appears in Chinese thus ； c All unskilful fools, Quarrel with their tools. ^ "As the twig is bent the tree's inclined," becomes slightly altered into, 'As the twig is bent the mulberry grows. ^ Instead of "a pig in a poke/' the Chinese buy 'A cat in a bag.^ " At Rome cLq as tl^e Eomans 1 See Nos. 209， 604, 614, 1051, 1381. 2 See Nos. 257, 309, 1310, 1890. 3 See Nos. 103， 118， 563. 4 See Nos. 107, 306, 460, 650, 1969, 2313， 2314,— For more illustrations of .this p) int, see Nos. 36, 77, 106, 178， 317, 605, 620, 727, 752, 1066, 1278, 1396, 1434, 2052, 2335, 2457, 2485, 2 715. xvu do," is varied into, c Wherever you go talk as the people of the place talk' 1 And " Man proposes, but God disposes/' has more tkan one counterpart in Chinese. 1 Possibly enougli has now been advanced to show that Chinese proverbs furnish, indubitable signs of mental power, and to justify the claim, which, we make on their behalf, of equality with the proverbs of other nations. V.-USES. In connection with these proverbs the most interest- ing question remains to be considered, namely, Of what use are they ？ ― Of what use are they to the Chinese themselves ？ to the foreign student of the Chinese language ？ and finally, to the general reader ？ Answers to these questions will bring this introduc- tory essay to its close.' The uses to which, the Chinese themselves put these proverbs are principally two, At the great festival of the new year the service of some able pen- man is obtained, who writes out a number of admired sayings, on long strips of red, orange, yellow, green, or blue paper, as the case may be. These are affixed to doors, to the side-posts of doprs, to the pillars of houses, to the masts, stems and sterns of ships, and indeed in all directions. In this way the very habita- tions of the Chinese become eloquent with sage maxims, felicitous sayings, and well-expressed prayers. But the decorative use to which the proverbs are thus put, is of little importance in comparison with 1 Nos. 107, 306, 460, 650， 1969, 2313， 2314. For moye illustrations of this poiMt^ see Nos 36， 77, X06, 178, 317, 605， 620, 727, 752, 1066， 1278, 13%, 1434, 2052, 2335, 2457, 2485, 2715. xvm the use made of them in daily conversation. The talk of modern Ciiina is highly seasoned with the salt of its ancient wisdom. And he is a stupid " son of Han" indeed, who cannot quote aptly some wise old saw on almost any occasion. Of what use are these proverbs to the foreign student of the Chinese language ？ Sir Jolan F. Davis has said that Chinese proverbs are of great grammatical value, inasmuch as they illustrate every grammatical law in the language. It may be true that, to some extent, they will supply models on which the student may construct sentences of his own ； but, as they are often very concise and formal, the student who should make a point of doing so would run the risk of speak- ing in a very stilted and uncommon style. Far greater is their value, as supplying him with phrases and sentences which may be used to enrich and em- bellish his conversation. Used as quotations their value is immense. So used in conversation they add a piquancy and flavour which greatly delights the CHinese, and makes mutual intercourse more easy and agreeable. But it is to the Missionary that the value of an extensive acquaintance with Chinese proverbs is of the highest importance. Personal ex， perience, as well as the repeated testimony of others, makes us bold to assert that even a limited knowledge of Chinese proverbs is to him of daily and inestimable value. A proverb will often serve to rouse the flag- ging attention of a congregation, or to arrest it at the commencement of a discourse. A proverb will often serve to produce a smile of good nature in an apparently ill-tempered audience, and so to call forth a kindly feeling which did not seeiaa before to exist. And very often a proverb aptly quoted will xix serve to convey a truth in the most terse and striking manner, so obviating the necessity for detailed and lengthy argument, whilst they fix at a stroke the idea you are wishing to convey. And now we come to the use which these proverbs are to the general reader. The question to be dis- cussed is this: what light is thrown upon the character and condition of the Chinese by these proverbs 1 " The maxims of a people may be considered as a medium which, reflects with tolerable accuracy the existing state of their manners and ways of thinking/' 1 To begin with the Chinaman himself. He certainly is a being whose character it is by no means easy to describe ； and, if left to our unaided imagination, we might easily caricature him in words, as absurdly as lie has long been caricatured in pictures. Guided by the evidence of proverbs we should say that the ideal Chinaman is born with a genius for trade. The number and excellence of tibose maxims which relate to business point to this conclusion. 2 Next to， or rather in connection with, his business-like qualifica- tions, come out his characteristic shrewdness and prudence. 3 He is a keen observer : 6 Those who can do a good trade don't wrangle over taxes/ 4 He is a cautious man: i Do not lace your boot in a melon field, nor adjust your hat under a plum tree/ 5 He is very discreet : 《 If you want to be quiet, do not med- dle with, otfeer people's busines." 6 He is wonderfully economical : 'Make every cash serve two purposes/ 7 He is not remarkable for honesty : 'If you would not be cheated ask the price at three shops/ 8 Nor is lie 1 Sir John Davis. 2 See the section of proverbs on Business. 3 See the section on Prudence. 4 No. 229. 5 No. 1928. 6 No. 1976. 7 No. 2015. 8 No. 175. XX distinguished for truthfulness, for sometimes lie de- serves the appellation, 'A lying machine/ 1 He is very 、 polite : 4 Much politeness offends no one/ 2 The numerous proverbs of a jocular description point him out as a ]over of fun. That he is a bver of pleasure, we may p ather from the maxim, ( All m^n love wealth, - wine, and women/ 3 And he is a proud man : c He will be honoured who respects himself ； but he wlio holds himself cheap will be lightly esteemed/ 4 There is a good deal of the Mark Tapley element in him : 、 c If the wind be strong, yield to the wind; if the rain be heavy, yield to the rain/ 5 He is a very sober man, looking upon wine as, 《 A poison which, per: forates the bowels/ 6 He is a loquacious person, or else many proverbs had not been needed to help him to control his tongue. He is hospitable in his way, and feels bound to entertain his guest with generosity; but lie expects quite as much in return, and hopes for more. 6 He who lacks hospitality to a guest must be a fool/ 7 He is very conservative. The past with its institutions is all in all to him : ' Observe the pre" ' sent, but reflect the past; without the past there had been no present. 78 Finally, he is a religious mart; His religion fails to make him anything like a virtuous man ； it leaves him the victim of many gross super- stitions, and enchains him in the fetters of a deter: mined fatalism ； but it does something to soottie his conscience, and to satisfy his moral wants. Pro- verbs in support of these points are too numerous to mention. 9 Next to the man himself comes the family. Tlie 1 No. 1269. 2 No. 1532. 3 No. 1498. 4 No. 2716. 5 No. 1973. 6 No. 1000. 7 No. 1579. 8 No. 2450. 9 See section xvii, On Religion. XXI social life of the Chinese, however much has been written about it， still remains comparatively a mys- tery to foreigners. Into the secrets of their home life the outside barbarian is not admitted. Under these circumstances we can obtain no better informa- tion as to the actual condition of a Chinese home than the numerous proverbs on this subject supply. Home is founded on the relation existing between Husband and Wife ； and it would seem that in China the importance of this relation is properly appreciat- ed. ' There are Five Eelations, but that of Husband and Wife stands first ； there are 3000 great rites, but that of marriage is most important/ 1 The obligation to marry is very clearly acknowledged : c Early mar- riage is the duty of both sexes/ 2 It is also firmly believed that marriages are fated : ( Wife, wealth, children, pay, are all predestined/ 3 There is a great deal of superstition cherished in regard to match- makings as well as a great deal of manceuvering on the parts both, of parents and professional match-makers. 'When doorways match and houses pair, A marriage may be settled there.' 4 c Those who rear daugliters ^ hope for great suitors/ 5 The parties principally con- cerned in this matrimonial compact have no voice whatever in the matter^ the betrothal taking place when they are both very young ； and it cannot after- wards be broken^ for, while ' You may exhume a coffin, you may not reject a betrothed son-in-law/ 6 It is of course inevitalDle, on this principle of selection, that many alliances contracted should turn out any- thing but satisfactory, or mutually pleasing. So it 1 No. 2202. 2 No. 2189. 3 No. 680. 4 No. 2175. 5 No. 2191. 6 No, 2200. XXII happens that ― i Nine out of ten go-betweens being liars' 1 ― c Ugly men marry pretty wives ；， 2 and * A talented bridegroom is sometimes matched with a worthless bride ； and a clever woman is sometimes married to a dolt/ 8 And sometimes these matches turn out anything but harmonious, as suggested by the proverbj 'A good husband will not beat his wife/ 4 Occasionally however love ensues upon the marriage 、 tie, and then 《 The husband sings and the wife ac- companies/ 5 But tHere is no such thing as even ap- proximate equality between tliem ; 《 Husbands are as Heaven to their wives ； wives are the slaves of their husbands/ 6 Still the wife, placed in this degrading position, makes her influence, both, for good and bad, tell upon her lord and master : c A virtuous wife 、 causes her husband to be honoured ； a bad one brings him to shame/ 7 Her weapon of defence is her tongue ； and she is skilful enough in the use of it. . Hence the advice. *Take no notice of what you hear said on the pillow/ 8 It would seem that conjugal fidelity is sometimes violated : c He detests his own wife, but loves other men's/ 9 Divorce seems to be against the rule, for c When the two have been united they may not be separated.' 10 And when the husband dies the widow is expected to remain a widow till her death. : ' A loyal minister will serve but one 、 prince, a virtuous woman but one husband/ 11 Concu- binage is allowed and commonly practised ； not, as it seems, to the entire satisfaction of the principal wife : 4 If your wife is against it, do not get a concubine/ 12 1 No. 2195. 2 No, 2206. 3 No. 2213. 4 No. 2223, 5 No. 2209. 6 No. 2220. 7 No. 2230. 8 No. 2229. 9 No. 2227. 10 No. 2214. 11 No. 2242. 12 No. 2226. xxiii From these and many more illustrations we are well able to form a tolerably correct idea of the relation of husband and wife in China. It differs from tlie same relation in the west mainly in the matters of bethrothal, the use of go-betweens, the toleration of polygamy, and tlie degraded position of the woman. There is certainly less of that true love, which alone can crown the married state with felicity, in the East than in the West ； and consequently- married life is not with the Chinese so happy a thing as it is with us. From husband and wife we come in due sequence to the relation of parents and children. The first thing to be remarked here is the silence of the proverbs on one side of the question. Much is said about the duty of children to parents, but nothing of the duty of parents to children. This silence is very- expressive ； for no one can have observed the Chinese for long without being struck with the prominence and emphasis with which they insist upon " Children obey your parents," while they almost ignore " Train up a child in the way he should go," and u Ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath." There is ano- ther silence equally ominoug. Daughters are very seldom mentioned. And this silence is eloquent on the shameful disregard in which female offspring are held by the fathers and mothers of China. It sug- gests the uimatural, brutal, but common crime, of female infanticide. At her birth the female child is insulted by a comparison to her disfavour with male children. She is said to be worth but one-tenth of what a boy would have been worth.' 1 This degrada- 1 See also No, 195. XXIV tion follows her to her grave ； it clings to her daughter, sister, wife, and is only partly shaken off when she becomes a mother. As a mother she is honoured by her children with a love and reverence equal to that which they give to their father. But, alas ！ as soon as she becomes the mother of a child of her own sex she begins to display tlie traditional disrespect for it, under which, she has herself groaned. Having noticed these two Unwelcome silences, let us listen awhile to the many voices which describe to us the state of affairs as existing between parents and children in general. The kindness of parents, so much eulogized in Chinese books, is thus spoken of : c You must rear children to know parental kindr ness/ 1 Petting seems tq form a part of this parental kindness ； for 6 The parents' pet is the obedient child. 2 And this notwithstanding the sensible max- im, c The rod produces obedient, petting and spoiling disobedient children/ 3 Sometimes great severity is resorted to : ' When the father pursues the son with the rod, he must not follow him for a hundred paces/ 4 It is quite evident that parents exact from their child-, ren a vast amount of deference while living and of honour after death : ( Whilst the father lives the son dare not put himself forward.^ ' Ancestors however remote must be sacrificed to/ 6 The reason of their intense longing for offspring finds expression in the following homely saying : ^ If we have none to foul the bed, we shall have none to burn paper at our graves. ^ Their unworthy perversion of the Biblical law that parents lay up for their children, not children 1 No. 2138. 2 No. 2129. 3 No. 2133. 4 No. 2144. 5 No. 2132. 6 No. 2363. 7 No. 2171. XXV for parents, is thus illustrated : c Rear sons for old . age ； and lay up grain against famine. 1 ' The import- ance of filial piety, and its nature, we find fully set forth. ' Of a myriad virtues filial piety is the first/ 2 、 * He is unfilial who loves wife more than mother/ 3 We dare not injure the bodies received from our parents.^ On the whole, it is evident that parents and child- ren, even in the country renowned for filial piety, do not stand to each other in anything like so satisfactory and pleasant relations, as they do in the west. There is on the part of Chinese parents a great deal of what we never expect to find in our parents, namely, selfish- ness. They long for male children that, when ill, 1 they may be supported, and when, dead, worshipped by them. They despise their female children because the peturix of personal service to be expected from them m the future is much less than that which is expected from boys. There is also too much of the proprietor in tiie Chinese father. His children are Lis chattels, to be dealt with absolutely as such. : he can sell them if he likes ； and even should he, in punishing, kill them, he would be very likely to escape scotfree. The mother, too, though not entirely ignored, retires mto a much more obscure position than that ordained to her by Providence. In short, there is a ― stiffness, an artificiality, existing between Chinese parents and children, owing to the many ceremonies which intervene upon their relationship, which does much to destroy the beauty, ease, and gracefulness, of the native home. There is yet another relation, and one which in 1 No. 2047. 2 No. 1877. 8 No. 2121. 4 No. 2150. XXVI China obtains great prominence, on which a few re- marks must be offered, namely that of Elder and . Younger Brothers. ' Brothers/ we are told, 'resemble hands and feet/ 1 They are often compared with wives to the disadvantage of the latter : 6 Is lie a su- perior man who listens to his wife, and turns against nis brother ？， 2 The same odious comparison is hinted ' at in the following : c The most difficult thing on earth to get is a brother/ 3 The importance of har- mony amongst brothers 一 a theme much insisted on in all books on morality ― finds repeated proverbial 、 expression : ' Though the left hand conquer the right no advantage is gained/ 4 That, after all the instruc- tions given, Chinese brothers fail to live together like r angels, is evident from the saying that, 6 Top and bottom teeth sometimes come into awkward collision/ 5 And the general cause of these fraternal quarrels ap- pears to be the stuff : c Though brothers are so closely akin, it is each for himself in money matters.' 6 Yet the value of a brothers friendship is fully appreciated, even when business is concerned, for we read the advice, 6 go into partnership with, a brother/ 7 Here, again, one cannot avoid noticing the omission of any mention of the sisterhood. The relation of Brother and Sister, so pleasant in our ideas, never seems to have dawned upon the native mind. And here ~ in the constantly implied inferiority of the female ― we have the secret explaining the failure of family life in China. Mother, wife, sister, must be restored to the high place which they have a right to adorn, before the homes of China can become worthy of the name. 1 No. 2245. 2 No. 2224. 3 No. 2255. 4 No. 2446. 5 No. 2253. 6 No. 2251. 7 No. 2296. XXV11 From Homes we come to Shops. The excellence and superabundance of their business proverbs, would justify us in holding the opinion that they are in- deed "a nation of shop-keepers." Without doubt the Chinese are in their very element when driving a 一 bargain and making money. It is truly a study to watch, two men engaged in this interesting occupation. It is then that one appreciates, fully, tlie saying, ' Bargaining is as necessary to trade as poling to a 、 vessel/ 1 They have a correct idea of t£e personal qualifications necessary to a successful tradesman : ' A man without a smiling face must not open a shop/ 2 They are wide awake to the principle of supply and demand : 6 Use both such goods and money as suit your market/ 3 The necessity for speculation is fully acknowledged : 'If a little cash does not go, much cash will not come/ 4 The necessity and potency of capital is fully acknowledged : 6 You must have a couple of grains of rice in order to catch fowls/ 5 That a very steady eye is kept on the item of profit, we may learn from the following : ' If no profit he espies, whereas the man will early rise ？， 6 For ready money they have a relish, notwithstanding that credit is the curse and ruin of their trade : ' Better take 800 than _ give credit for 1000 cash/ 7 Notwithstanding the frequent assertions by native shop-keepers that they ' Really have but one price/ that their' s is indeed a c One word hall/ there are more proverbs than one suggestive of the fact that prices vary according to circumstances. c When one cheats up to heaven in the price he asks, you come down to earth in the price 1 No. 198. 2 No. 179. 3 No. 187. 4 No. 176. 5 No. 239. 6 No. 161. 7 No. 253. xx vm you offer. ， 1 After this it is refreshing to 一 meet with the following ； c Just scales and full measures injure no man/ 2 That is a maxim worthy of a purer mo- rality than, it is to be feared, can be boasted of in connection witli Chinese Comiiieree. From Shops we come to Schools. In a country so celebrated for learning as China, it will not be sur- prising to find many excellent maxims on the subject of education. The importance of it is fully, though roughly, expressed in the following : 4 Than a lad without learning, you'd better rear an ass : Better rear a pig than an uneducated lass.' 3 It should begin early, because • a« the twig is bent the mulberty grows/ 4 It nltist not^ however, proceed at random, for 'Education requires a proper method/ 5 It may be doubted whether the native method of compelling a pupil, for several years, to commit to memory a number of books, before ever a word of them is explained to him, is a proper method or not ； yet it may be said in favour of it, that it appears to suit those who use it tolerably well. The curriculum to be studied may be gathered from tlie following : ' However stupid sons and grandsons may be， they must read the classics.' 6 ' In study fix your mind on the sages/ 7 The necessity for persevering diligence is frequently the subject of a proverbial saying, ' Every character must be chewed to get out its juice.' 8 The pleasures of learning are also often alluded to : 'Learn- ing is far more precious than gold/ 9 All pursuits are mean in comparison with that of learning/ 10 And 1 No. 202. 2 No. 219. 8 No. 458. 4 No. 嫩 5 No. 463. 6 No. 536. 7. No 502. 8 No. 548. 9 No. 538. 10 No. 558. XXIX many are the inducements to a literary life which are set before the native pupil. c No pleasure equals the pleasure of study/ 1 Study will be sure to yield its golden house.' 2 ' Study will provide you with a lady beautiful as jade/ 3 Many more quotations might be made illustrative of the native schools, literature, literati, and of the vast system of competitive exami- nations now in vogue ； sufficient to show that China is not without a system of education for which she deserves great praise. The separateness of the literary caste is a thing to be regretted ； so also is the stunted and changeless nature of the curriculum of studies ； so also is that systematic and organized cormption, by means of which, unworthy men are enabled to steal for themselves the degrees due to others : but, that learning in China stands in so conspicuous and honorable a posi- tion that the learning most honoured is within the reach of even the poorest classes ； that by means of his learning the poores* boy in the land may rise to the first rank and office under His Imperial Majesty, is indeed much to the praise and glory of the Celes- tial Empire. Judging from the paucity of proverbs on the subject of amusements, one might be led to suppose that the Chinese were any thing but a lightrhearted and play- ful people. It would be a mistake to think so ； for no people can be fonder of theatres and gambling than the Chinese. And if opium-smoking be taken into the list of amusements, then, beyond a doubt, the Chinese are a pleasure-loving people. Generally speak- ing proverbs on such subjects are of a condemnatory kind : on theatres, for instance, we read ； ― 圍 — 1 No. 571. 2 No. 573. 3 No. 574. XXX c Once in a while yon may go to a play, But they are not the things for every day/ 1 On gambling we read, e Money goes to tlie gam- bling-house as criminals to execution/ 2 6 If you be- lieve in gambling you will have to sell your house/ 3 There doubtless exist many proverbs on the subject of amusements which have not been met with, and which would fully substantiate what has been said on the pleasure - loving proclivities of the Chinese. Passing from gay to grave we enquire what the proverbs teach respecting the Eeligion of the people. To discover what are the real religious sentiments of a people like the Chinese is no easy matter ； but it is not unlikely that we may get nearer to the truth by observing what the people say in their common talk, than by reading what authors and sages have said in books but seldom read. First, we learn from proverbs that the objects of worship are Heaven, Earth, ^un, Moon, Sta,rs， Idols, and Ancestors. This is not a complete list but it will serve our purpose. The religion which makes most show, and which forces itself perpetually on our atten- tion, is that of idol worship. It is the popular wor- ship of the land. On the feasts of the new and full moon our ears are dinned with the explosion of in- numerable crackers. Whenever any act of impor- tance is to be performed, there is a great outward show of belief in the power and control of the idols. Everywhere we stumble on costly temples, filled with the expensive gilded images of a numerous hierarchy of deities, and tended by a throng of shaven priests. People and rulers, high and low, unite to do homage 1 No. 759. 2 No. 764. 3 No. 762. XXXI to the gods of the two friendly sects of Buddhism and Taouism. Now the question is, can the proverbs ^ tell us whether all this is sham or reality ？ From several it would seem that the idols do not command tlie faith of the people. 6 All idolatrous supersti- tions are man's invention/ 1 In several well-known proverbs the gods are turned to ridicule, which surely could not be done by men who sincerely believed them to be divine. ( Tl^ree strokes of the axe are enough, to complete an image of the idol Yang-ssiiJ 2 In this saying the god is made the but of raillery as the type of uncoutli, immannerly boors. In the following he is twitted for his youthful appearance. c A beard should not be put on his worship the god of sailors/ 3 The same raillery and contempt are shown in another proverb 一 less elegant than caustic 一 namely, i The stinking pig's head meets the smell-less idol/ 4 It would not be fair to take these contempt- uous proverbs as conclusive proof of general disbelief in idols. They may be evidence of doubt in many minds, and of total disbelief in the minds of a few, but that is all. The Chinese give many proofs, as well in their conduct as in their proverbial sayings, of their faith in idols. Their faith is doubtless a very superstitious thing, and largely mixed with fear ； but such as it is, it is strong enough, to tinge their whole life and conduct, and to force out of them large sums of money. ' Though, you don't believe in other gods, you'll believe in the god of thunder/ 5 You may- carry deception into the Yamen, you cannot carry it into the temple/ 6 c Though you neglect to offer 1 No. 2365. 2 No. 2358. 3 No. 2359. 4 No. 2375. 5 No, 2370. 6 No. 2354. XXX11 incense when all is well, you will have to fall at Bud 零 r - dha s feet in time of sorrow/ 1 Should the testimony of proverbs be thought waver- ing as to the popular faith in idols, it will be admitted that it distinctly proves that the faith of the people firmly centres upon, and clings to, one great supreme being whom they call THen and we call Heaven. And if this THen be not the true God, the likeness is very strange. To THen the people are in the constant habit of ascribing many of the attributes and actions only ascribable to the true God. He is the God of ' Providence : 'Tien never sends a man without pro- viding for him clothes and income/ 2 x Our daily- bread depends on THenf 3 The bountifulness of his regime is thus quaintly expressed : c when T K ien rears a man he grows very fat ； when men rear one lie is nought but skin and bone/ 4 His omniscience is again ， and again plainly asserted : c Man only sees the present, THen sees into the future/ 5 ( Nothing can escape the 、 eye of T'ien.' 6 His rule, as the moral governor of 、 men is alluded to in the following: 6 THen sees clearly, and rewards quickly/ 7 And that his rule is merciful appears from the following : f Imperial THen will never slight men of sorrow/ 8 As the hearer of human prayers, 6 THen responds to man as quickly as shadow to form or echo to voice/ 9 Whilst firmly believing that these and many other proverbs point to the highest and truest religious life of the people, it would not be candid on our part not to allude to the fact that the popular faith in THen is mixed up with much alloy. THen is very often confounded with the visible 1 No. 23C2. 2 No. 2316. 3 No. 2320. 4 No. 2341. 6 No. 2330. 6 No. 2324. 7 No. 2325. 8 No. 2312. 9 No. 2315. xxxm heavens ； sometimes T，ien is stated to be 理 li, Reason or Principle ； and oftener still the honour is divided between THen and Ti y the Earth. ' Heaven and Earth are great ; father and mother are honourable/ 1 The ； people seem to associate THen and Ti together as the equivalent of x>ur one word Nature, and to offer there 一 to a sort of pantheistic reverence. Still the truth re- mains that the Chinese . are not altogether without some knowledge of what closely resembles the true God. Him they ignorantly worsHip, worship with a divided heart, and with, many gross superstitions, yet we should not, on that account, fail to recognise the truth which exists, or fail to make the most of it in order to impart a purer knowledge and a truer faith. The influence of religion on morals is very small. Indeed religion and morality in China might be as- sumed to belong to totally different categories, they . - have so little to do with each other. Even the priest- hood, who ought to be the best samples of morality China can produce, are certainly not regarded in the light of holy men. Several proverbs refer to them in terms of anything but respect for the purity of their character, the sincerity of their vows, or the usefulness of their lives. The doctrine of a future state, expres- sed in many of the proverbs on Rewards and Punish- ments, 2 may be supposed to exercise some influence for good on the lives of the people ； and no doubt this is the . case. But then, again, the legitimate . influence of this doctrine is negatived by the all- prevalent belief in Fate. The philosophy of their ' sages ； the practical, worldly character of all their " moral teackiug ； the contradictions existing between 1 No.' 2343. ' 5 See chapter on Priests and Niins. 2 See chapter so named. XXXIV their Confucianism and the religious systems of Bud- dha and Lao Tzu， together with the want of power to make men good, visible in all their creeds, have driven them, in a great measure, to the - resource of the despairing ~ to a belief in the inevitable. 1 It is true that Confucianism has furnished them with an ideal saint, the creation of Confucius， imagination, called by the Chinese 君 子 Chun-tzu, and by most foreigners, The Superior man. 2 But this is an ideal only, not a model, not a copyable example ； and even as an ideal it is very imperfect. 3 So, to sum up the whole matter of religion, it appears that with the Chinese it is neither dark nor light ； the darkness is not utter darkness, the light ia not clear. They con- fuse God with idols, mix superstition up with their worship, separate morality from religion, paralyse themselves by believing in fate, admire and extol an ideal which they never try to copy and could not if they did, and, with a faith in a future state more or less vivid and strong, allow themselves to be com- pletely engrossed in the pursuit of the present. One more subject of importance claims our atten- tion, namely, the government of the country ； and with a few remarks thereon, suggested and supported by the proverbs, our task will be finished. To begin with, the Emperor. His exalted position is thus ac- knowledged : ' The light of all the stars is not equal to that of the moon/ 4 His despotic power is hinted at somewhat significantly thus : ' When the prince wants a minister to die, he dies/ 5 And yet it is said that ' If the Son of Heaven breaks the laws, he is 1 See chapter on Fate. 2 See chapter on the Superior and Mean man. 3 See a very good article on tlio subject in the 3rd Vol. of the Chinese Re- corder, page 129, by the Rev William Ashmore. 4 No. 2093. 5 No. 2091. XXXV guilty like one of the people/ 1 Descending from the Emperor to his servants, we find abundance of pro- verbs very freely criticising them and their doings. The relative importance of civil and military officers is thus shown : ( One dash of a civil magistrate's pen, Makes the martial magistrate jump again.' 2 The question of magisterial integrity is apparently settled in the following apologetic saying : ( An honest magistrate cannot get on/ 8 It would seem that the mandarins are notorious for extortion for we read : * A magistrate will not consider your poverty, nor the devil your leanness/ 4 And that the magistracy pays well is evident if it be only partially true that, c even an honest Chih-fu may during a three years, term of office, save ten myriad snow-white taels of silver/ 6 It is quite right that the mandarin be ( A lord among his people' 6 , but from what is said below, it appears that he lords it over them too severely: 6 Men's hearts are like iron, and the rule of mandarins like a fur- nace/ 7 After this it is some satisfaction to find that there are three good rules for men in office, namely, " Be upright, be cautious, be diligent., 8 If we come from mandarins to their courts of justice, we find no- thing but condemnation. Hell only is the fitting emblem of a magistrate's yamSn, The yamen satel- lites are comparable only to voracious tigers, or blood-sucking flies. 11 It is shrewdly and significantly said, i With only right to back you, Be sure the yamSns lack you/ 12 1 No. 2096. 2 No. H69. 3 No. 1178- 4 No. 1181. 5 No. 1194. ^ No. 1187. 7. No 1183. 8 No, 1196. 9 No. 1160. 11 No. 1212. 11 No. 1216. 12 No. 1145. xxxvi Yet in respect of laws and tlifeir' Administration, we find this noble saying ; ' In making laws, severity- is indispensable ； in administering them, clemency/ 1 From the general testimony of the proverbs it appears that the relations between rulers and ruled in China, is anything but satisfactory. Notwithstanding a few notable exceptions in the persons of disinterested officers ； notwithstanding many good laws, and the power to execute them ； notwithstanding the many excellent precepts exhorting the Officers to do their duty ； Justice often cries out for her rights in vain, the people are oppressed, whilst the mandarins and their satellites are enriched. In tlie preceding essay we have endeavoured to ex- press the Impartial te^timdny of the proverbs them- selves, rather than to advance any opinions of our own ； if error has crept into the account, the means of correcting it lies before the reader. And if the sketch drawn of the condition of things in China be blamed for incompleteness or exaggeration, we ean only add that, in the collection of proverbs now pre- sented to the reader, he has ample means at his own disposal for the completion or correction of the picture. 1 No. 1137. • PEOVEEBS. SECTION I,— ON AGENCY, ,C H A P T E E I, CAUSE AND EFFECT. —— 1 Every effect has its cause. Lit. ： Eivers have sources, trees have roots. 氷. 有源 頭 9 木有稞 Shui 3 yu 3 yiian 2 tW， 2 mu 4 yu 3 ken. 1 2 It thunders loudly, but rains very little. 打得 雷大。 落得雨 小 te 2 Jei 2 ta, 4 lo 4 te yii 3 hsia^. 3 Note. 一 e. g, A trade is conducted with great bustle and s"bow, but little profit is made. 3 ― Every thing must have a cause. 凡 事 必 有 因 Fan 2 shth 4 pi 4 yu 3 yin. 1 4 Cut up grass by the root, and it will sprout no more. 剪萆 除裉。 萌 芽不發 Chien 3 ts^ao 3 chHi 2 ken/ meng 2 ya 2 pu 4 fa. 1 5 ― No wind, no motion in the trees. 風不來 。樹不 '動 F^ng 1 pu 4 lai, 2 shu 4 pa 4 tung. 4 6 When the tree falls the shade is gone. 樹 倒無陰 j Shu 4 tao 3 wu 2 yin 1 . 2 AGENCY. 7 . Putrid flesh breeds maggots ; rotten fish, generates grubs. X 肉腐 出蟲。 魚 枯出蠹 Jou 4 fu 3 chV ch^ung, 2 yii 2 kV ch^u 1 tu. 4 8 More fuel more fire. Hy ，柴. 火燄高 , P^eng 2 ch^ai 2 ? huo 3 yen 4 kao. 1 9 ~~ Though a tree grow never so high, its falling leaves return to the root. 樹高 千丈。 葉 落 歸 极 Shu 4 kao 1 ch^ien 1 chang, 4 yeh 4 lo 4 kuei 1 ken. 1 lO When a wall is cracked and lofty, its fall must be i speedy. 牆 隙而高 。其 崩必疾 Chiang 2 ch^i 4 erh 2 kao, 1 ch f i 2 peng 1 pi 4 chi. 3 11 To foul the spring and expect the stream to be pure. 獨其. 源而舉 律；^ m Ch6 2 ch^i 2 yuan 2 erh 2 ch^iu 2 liu 2 chih 1 cluing. 1 ― 12 He wishes to hide his footprints, and yet walks upon the snow. 欲滅跡 而足雪 踪 . Yii 4 mieh 4 chi 1 erh 2 tsu 2 hsiieh 3 tsung. 1 13 In digging up a tree you must begin with the root. 挖 樹 必、 從 j 兜子起 A 、 Wa 1 shu 4 pi 4 ts^ung 2 tou 1 tzu 3 ch¥ "- O^iA^A Every thing has its lord. 物 各有主 Wu 4 ko 4 yu 4 chu, 3 CHAPTER II. THE NECESSITY OF EFFORT. 15 Sharp as a needle to grind a blunt axe, Your strength, to the utmost will surely tax. 鉞斧磨 成 鉞。 只要工 夫深 Tun 4 fa 3 mo 2 ch^eng 2 chen, 1 chih 3 yao 4 kung 1 fu 1 shen. 1 16 • To make a man of yourself you must toil ； if you don't, you wont. 成人不 自在。 自在 不成人 Ch^eng 2 jen 2 pu 4 tzu 4 tsai 4 ; tzii 4 tsai 4 pu 4 ch^eng 2 jen. 2 17 If you don't scale the mountain, you can't view the plain. 不 上 高山 。不顯 平她 Pu 4 shang 4 kao 1 shan, 1 pu 4 hsien 3 p《ing 2 ti. 4 18 Without climbing mountains no one can know the height of heaven ； withoiit diving streams no one can know the thickness of tlie earth. 不登 山不知 天之高 Pu 4 teng 1 shan 1 pu 4 chih 1 t^ien 1 chih 1 kao 1 ; 不 臨 溪 不 知地之 厚 pu 4 lin 2 ch^i 1 pu 4 chih 1 ti 4 chih 1 r hou. 4 ~ 19 Generals and Premiers spring not from seed sown ； men must exert themselves. 將' 相* 本無' 種。 男 兒當自 强 Chiang 1 hsiang 4 pen 3 wu 2 chiing 4 ； nan 2 erh 2 tang 1 tzu 4 ch^iang. 2 々 ^2〇 Strike a flint, and youll get fire ； strike it not， and youll not get even smoke. 擊.^ 原有火 。不擊 乃無烟 Chi 1 shih 2 yiian 2 yu 3 c huo y ； pu 4 chi 1 nai 3 wu 2 yen. 1 4 AGENCY. 21 Without going you can get to nowhere ； you can complete nothing without doing. 路不 行不到 6 事不 爲不成 Lu 4 pu 4 hsing 2 pu 4 tao 4 ; shih 4 pu 4 wei 2 pu 4 ch^eng. 2 22 ~~ —— He who does nothing but sit and eat, will wear away a mountain (of wealth). 坐 食山崩 Tso 4 shih 2 shan 1 peng. 1 23 If you long for pleasure, you must labour hard to get it. 、欲 求生 快洁 $ 須下 死工夫 Yii 4 ch^iu 2 slieng 1 k^uai 4 ！ huo， 2 hsii 1 hsia 4 ssu 3 kung 1 fu. 1 24 If you do not enter a tiger's den, you cannot get his cubs. 不入虎 穴。 不 得虎子 Pu 4 ju 4 W hsiieh, 4 pu 4 te 2 ? hu 3 tzu, 3 25 He is equal to any task who can subsist on cabbage stalks 咬得 莱根百 事可傲 Yao 3 te 2 ts^ai 4 ken 1 pai 3 sH» k^o 3 tso. 4 26 You had better return home and make a net, than go down to the river and desire to get the fishes. 臨淵羨 魚 tf 不 如返而 ^網， Lin 2 yiian 1 hsien 4 yii' 2 , pu 4 ju 2 t^ai 4 erh 2 chieh 2 wang. 3 27 Never was a good work done without much trouble. 從 來 好 事必 竟多磨 Ts^ung 2 lai 2 bao 3 shih 4 pi 4 ching 4 to 1 mo. 2 CHAPTEE III. EXAMPLE. —— ~~ 28 ― When the upper beam is crooked, the lower must be wry. When the middle beam is crooked, in a ruin all must lie. 上粱不 正下. 粱歪 Shang 4 Hang 2 pu 4 cheng 4 hsia 4 liang 2 wai 1 ； 中 粱 不正倒 T ^ Chung 1 liang 2 pu 4 ching 4 tao 3 hsia 4 lai. 2 29 Keep company with good men : and good men youll learn to be ； But you must shoulder false gods if you follow sorcery. 跟好人 學好； Ken 1 ? hao 3 jen 2 hsio 2 4ao 3 jen 2 ； 跟 端公扛 假 神 Ken 1 tuan 1 kung 1 kang 1 chia 3 shen. 2 Note. ― Tan kung or Ma chiao (馬 脚) are mediums through whom the idols are supposed to grant answers to prayer. 3〇 一 Keep company with, good men^ and good men you will imitate ； Keep company with beggars, and sleep outside some temple gate. 跟 好人學 好人 Ken 1 ^hao 8 jen 2 hsio 2 ^hao 3 jen 2 ; 跟 討飯 的 睡 廟 門 Ken 1 tW 3 fan 4 ti 1 stui 4 miao 4 men. 2 31 One takes the colour of one's company, Lit. ： Near vermilion one gets stained pink ； near ink one gets stained black. • 6 AGENCY. 近硃 者紫。 近 墨者黑 Chin 4 chu 1 che 2 tzu 3 ; chin 4 mei 4 che 2 ^hei. 1 32 One takes the odour of one's company. Lit. : Near putrid fish yonll stink ； near the epidendrum youll be fragrant. 近 it 者 臭。 近蘭者 香 Chin 4 pao 4 che 2 ch f ou 4 ； chin 4 lan 2 che 2 hsiang. 1 33 ― Never be with a bad man. A 爾 不可和 小. 人 在一塊 J^n 2 tuan 4 pu 4 kV ? ho 2 hsiao 3 jen 2 tsai 4 yi 1 k^uai. 4 34 Imitate Ssu-ma who laid up much secret merit. 法司馬 廣 積陰功 Fa 3 Ssu 1 - ma 3 kuang 3 chi 2 yin 1 kung. 1 35 All bad alike. Lit. : Putrid flesh is all of a flavour. 臭 肉同^ Ch^ou 4 jou 4 t《ung 2 wei. 4 ' 3S When one sheep leads the way all the rest follow. —羊前 ，衆 羊後繼 Yi 1 yang 2 ch r ien 2 hsing 2 chung 4 yang 2 ，！ iou 4 chi. 4 37 Look not at thieves eating flesh, but look at suffering piinisliment. 莫看 强 盜吃肉 Mo 4 kW ch^iang 2 tao 4 ch^ih 1 jou, 4 只看 强 盜受罪 Chih 3 k《an 4 ch4ang 2 tao 4 shou 4 tsui. 4 38 Follow the good, and learn to be so. 跟 好學好 Ken 1 ^hao 3 hsio 2 r hao. 3 them EXAMPLE. 7 39 When white calico has been dipped in the dyeing vat, nobody can tell it from black. 白布 吊在. 染缸皂 白難分 Pai 2 pu 4 tiao 4 tsai 4 jan 3 kang 1 tsao 4 pai 2 nan 2 fen. 1 —— ― 4〇 When old men are not upright, they teach their sons and grandsons to be rogues. 爲老 不正敎 壌子孫 Wei 2 lao 3 pu 4 cheng 4 chiao 4 ^uai 4 tzii 3 sun. 1 41 Follow example. Lit. : Eecite according to the book. 照 本宣科 Chao 4 pen 3 hsiian 1 k^o. 1 42 Follow example in drawing your calabash. 照檨 耋葫蘆 Chao 4 yang 4 ? hua 4 乂 hu 2 lu. 2 ： ~~ 一- "-" 4=3 He who leads an ox to drink must first wet his own feet. 牵 牛喝氷 先 打濕脚 Ch^ien 1 niu 2 ^ho 1 shui 3 hsien 1 ta 3 shih 1 cHao. 3 44 Bad men leave their mark wherever they go. Lit. ： He who carries lime in a basket, leaves traces wherever he stops. 籮 筐 裝 石浚。 在處 有跡窩 Lo 2 k^uang 1 chuang 1 shih 2 ^hui, 1 tsai 4 ch^u 4 yu 3 chi 1 wo. 1 45 The people follow the example of those above them. 上 之 所爲民 之歸也 Shang 4 chih 1 so 3 wei 2 min 2 chih 1 kiiei 1 yeh. 3 4S When a large vessel lias opened a way, it is easy for a small one to follow. 8 AGENCY, 大 船拖成 糟。 小 船 不用篱 Ta 4 ch r uan 2 tV qh^eng 2 ts^ao,^ hsiao 8 qh^uan 2 pu 4 yuiig 4 kao. 1 47 They looked on the good as though they ^ere inimi- table '； on the bad as on plunging the hand into boiling water. ^ 善^ ！不再 。見 惡郯探 湯 Chien 4 shan 4 ju 2 pu 4 chi 2 ； chien 4 o 4 ju 2 t^an 1 t^ang. 1 Note. ― This was an old saying in Confacius， time, and was quoted by him as applicable to several of his own disciples, as well as to others Lis contemporaries. See Legge, vol. i, page 178. 48 Shoes made by the Elder Brothers wife, are a pattern for the Younger Brother's wife to copy. 嫂 嫂做鞋 嬸 子有檨 Sao 3 sao 3 tso 4 hsieh 1 shen 3 tzu 3 yu 3 yang. 4 4：9 You have an itching to do whatever you see others doing. '見 .人 屙 M 喉曜癢 Chien 4 jen 2 wo 1 niao 4 ^hou 2 lung 3 yang. 3 Note. 一 This is a very course, but very common saying. I (have purposely- given it a free translation. CHAPTER IV. IMPOSSIBILITIES. 5〇 Little pillars, it is plain, Cannot heavy weights sustain. 不大 其棣。 不能住 重 Pu 4 ta 4 ch^i 2 tung, 4 pu 4 neng 2 jen 4 chung. 4 ― " 51 No needle has two sharp points. 針 無 ，兩 頭 ， Chen 1 wu 2 lkng 3 tW 2 li. 4 Note. 一 The meaning of this is that it is impossible for a man to do two things at once. . ― 52 To force a Ken to hatch chickens. 铵 倒鶏母 包《 兒 An 4 tao 8 chi 1 mu 3 pao 4 erh. 2 ― 53 A toad propping a bedpost firmly. • 癩 蝦 螞 墊牀 脚硬 掙 Lai 4 c ha 2 ma 8 tien 4 ch^uang 2 chiao 3 ying 4 cheng. 4 -" 54 To box in the stern of a pair of trowsers. 褲 It 裏打 拳 KV tang 1 li 3 ta 3 ch^iian. 2 ~ B5 Ants removing Mount T^ai. 螞 蟻 搬泰山 Ma 3 i 3 pan 1 T(ai 4 Shan. 1 5S —— ~ You cannot shade off the sun's light with one 1 舉 nd. —把 掌 遮不住 這日頭 Yi 1 pa 1 chang 3 che 1 pu 4 chu 4 che 4 jih 4 t^ou. 2 10 AGENCY. 57 Throw a tile over a wall and you cannot say on which side it has lighted. 隔 牆丢^ 未 知仰撲 Ko 2 cli^iang 2 tin 1 wa 1 , wei 4 chih 1 yang 8 p^u. 1 S8 It is impossible to tell what is in the future. Lit. f One may feel but not see the hair on the back o: one，s neck. 後 頸窩裏 毛摸得 到 看 不 見 ^Hou 4 keng 3 wo 1 li 3 mao 2 mo 1 te 2 tao 4 k(an 4 pu 4 chien. 4 59 —— ~~ A clever daughter-in-law cannot cook without rice. 巧 媳婦難 作無米 $ 炊 Ch^iao 3 hsi 2 fu 4 nan 2 tso 4 wu 2 mi 3 chih 1 ch^ui. 1 60 One foot cannot stand on two boats! —隻脚 踏不得 兩隻艄 Yi 1 chih 1 cLiao 3 tao 4 pu 4 to 2 liang 3 chih 1 ch r uan. 2 61 If an ox won't drink, you can't make him bend down his head. 牛 不 吃 氷 。按不 住 頭 Niu 2 pu 4 diW shui 3 , an 4 pu 4 chu 4 t ? ou. 2 62 You cannot clap with one palm. —個 巴掌 拍不 m Yi 1 ko 4 pa 1 chang 3 p^ai 1 pu 4 hsiang. 2 —— - ~ 63 A single strand of silk cannot make a thread ； a soli- tary tree cannot make a grove. '單 絲 不成 綫。 孤木 不 成 林 T^n 1 ssu 1 pu 4 ch^eng 2 Lsien 4 ； ku 1 ma 4 pu 4 ch^eng 2 lin. 2 ♦ 64 The materials used in building a temple and its ante- rooms, ure not th(3 launches of one tree only. IMPOSSIBILITIES. 11 廟廊之 材非一 木 之枝， Miao 4 lang 2 chih 1 ts r ai 2 fei 1 yi 1 mu 4 cLih 1 chih. 1 ^ 65 One man cannot do two yamen-ranners， work. —身不 能當二 役 Yi 1 shen 1 pu 4 neng 2 tang 1 erh 4 yi 4 6S One man cannot manage too many affairs. Lit. : Like pumpkins in water, one pops up wliile you press another down. 7jC 裏桉葫 蘆化、 起. ，落 Shui 3 li 3 an 4 ? bu 2 lu 2 ni 3 ch r i 3 wo 3 lo, 4 67 One bamboo pole cannot reach the bottom. 一根 竹篙打 不倒卮 Yi 1 ken 1 chu 2 kao 1 ta 3 pu 4 tao 3 tu. 2 ~~ ― 68 Beyond one's strength ； as Khia Fits race after the sun's shadow. 事不 量力。 如夸 父追日 Shih 4 pu 4 liang 2 li" ju 2 KW Fu 4 chui 1 jih. 4 Note. 一 K f ua Fu, desiring to overtake the sun's shadow, pursued it into the Vale of Yang ( 陽》 In this chase lie grev» r thirsty. He found a river ； but its waters could not quencli liis thirst. He then turned his steps northward that lie might drink the waters of T^ai-tse (太 澤)' But before he got there he died of thirst. Dying, lie flung down his staff. Thereupon a heavy rain fell and cover- ed it over with mud. From it sprang the bamboo forest of Teng which overs ten li of ground. Yu-hsio (幼學 ). Bk. I. § Tien wen (天 玄). 69 One actor cannot perform a play. 、 獨 脚戯難 唱 Tu 2 chiao 3 hsi 4 nan 4 ch^ang. 4 7〇 . One louse cannot raise a coverlet. —箇蝨 子頂不 起 3 被窩 Yi 1 ko 4 shih 1 tzii 3 ting 3 pa 4 ch4 3 pei 4 wo. 1 12 AGENCY. How can one pole build a great house ！ —木 焉能支 夭廈 Yi 1 mu 4 yen 1 neng 2 chih 1 ta 4 hsia. 4 72 This cup of strong wine is hard to swallow. 這一 杯湧。 酒 難得吃 Che 4 yi 1 pei 1 yung 3 chiu 3 nan 2 te 2 cMh. 1 73 Sandals for the same foot must be worn by different persons. 同 籩 萆鞋备 穿一 鼙 T^uBg 2 pien 1 ts^ao 3 hsieh 2 ko 4 cVuan 1 yi 1 chih. 1 74 Who can secure a thousand-years' scheme ？ 誰人 保得千 年 計 Shui 2 j6n 2 pao 3 te 2 cUien 1 nien 2 chi. 4 CHAPTER V MODUS OPERANDI. 75 Would you yourself a perfect workman find, To an embroidery needle an iron pestle grind. 若要 功夫深 Jo 4 yao 4 kung 1 fu 1 shen, 1 鐡 杵磨成 玲 花 針 T^ieh 3 kan 1 mo 2 ch^eng 2 hsiu 4 ^hua 1 chen. 1 76 Save thoroughly, if you will ； Kill thoroughly 3 if you kill. 救人救 到 頭。 殺. 人殺 斷 喉 Chiu 4 jen 2 chin 4 tao 4 t r ou 2 ； sha 1 jen 2 sha 1 tuan 4 ^hou. 2 ~~ 77 Practice makes perfect. Lit. ： 一 The boxer s fist must keep to its task ； And the singer's moutli no rest must ask. m 不離竽 。曲 不離口 ChWan 2 pu 4 li 2 shou 3 ； ch^ii 1 pu 4 li 2 kW, 78 一 —— Do thorouglily aught you set about : . Kill a pig, ― kill him out and out. 傲事傲 到 頭。 殺猪殺 到 喉 Tso 4 shih 4 tso 4 tao 4 t^ou 2 : sha 1 chu 1 sha 1 tao 4 ? hou. 2 79 Suppose your wish is to excel, Before an expert practise well. 要得高 。人前 操 Yao 4 te 2 kao, 1 jen 2 ch^ien 2 ts^ao. 1 ― 80 The loftiest towers rise from the ground. 萬丈 高樓 從地起 Wan 4 chang 4 kao 1 lou 2 t^sung 2 ti 4 cM. 3 14 AGENCY. SI Every thing is difficult at first. 萬事起 £ 頭 難 Wan 4 shih 4 cM 3 tW nan. 2 82 It is easier to know how to do a thing than to do it. 知非難 行^: 爲. 難 Cbih 1 fei 1 nan 2 Lsing 2 chih 1 wei 2 nan. 2 83 Easy to look at ； difficult to imitate, 見 者易。 饗 者難 Cbien 4 che 2 yi 4 ; hsio 2 che 2 nan. 2 84 Whoever undertakes a task cannot repudiate the re- sponsibility. 領其 手不能 謝其資 Ling 3 ch^i 2 sbou 3 pu 4 neng 2 hsieh 4 ch^i 2 tse. 2 85 ― What one knows not how to do is difficult ； what one knows how to do is not. 難 者不會 。會 者" 不 難 Nan 2 che 2 pu 4 ^hui 4 che 2 pu 4 騰 2 8S What is earned with hard labour is eaten with pleasure. 辛苦對 得快活 吃 Hsin 1 W t r ao 3 te 2 k^uai 4 ！ huo 2 c 懸. 1 87 Draw a tiger incompletely and it is only like a dog. 畫 虎不成 終類犬 ^Hua 4 ^hu 3 pu 4 ch^eng 2 chung 1 lei 4 cl^iian. 3 88 A hundred paths present a hundred difficulties. 百般道 路百。 般難 Pai 3 pan 1 tao 4 lu 4 pai 3 pan 1 nan. 2 MODUS OPERANDI- 15 89 In hurry is error. 忙 中有錯 Mang 2 ^hung 1 yu 3 ts^o. 4 ~~ - ~ 90 Done leisurely, done well. 從容 幹好事 Ts^ung 2 yung 2 kan 2 bao 3 shih. 4 91 ~~ —— Slow work produces fine goods- 慢 功 出細貨 Man 4 kung 1 chV hsi 4 ? huo. 4 92 Would you have a steady aim, bore through the rock to the fountains of the sea. 若要 心腸 堅。 鑿 m 通海 泉 Jo 4 yao 4 hsin 1 c¥smg 2 chien, 1 tso 2 shan 1 t^ung 1 ? hai 2 ch^iian. 2 ~ : -"" 9 3 Nine-storied terraces rise by a gradual accumulation of bricks. 九 層 之臺起 於累土 Chiu 3 ts^eng 2 chih 1 t^ai 2 cM 3 yu 2 lei 3 \}\x? 94 If you ferry at all, ferry right over, 渡 A 渡上岸 Tu 4 jen 2 tu 4 shang 4 au. 4 95 What is done hastily is not done well. 辦事太 忙 就有參 差了 Pan 4 shih 4 t^ai 4 mang 2 chiu 4 yu 3 ts^en 1 ch^a 1 liaa 3 96 Iron long fired becomes steel. 不火 鍊成鋼 Chiu 3 (huo 3 lien 4 cb^eng 2 kang. 1 97 Anything beyond one's strength is never done well. 16 AGENCY. 費 力 不 討 巧 Fei 4 li 4 pu 4 tW cMao. 3 - ^ ― 98 — / When the arrow is on the string it must go. 箭在 弦上不 得不發 Chien 4 tsai 4 hsien 2 shang 4 pu 4 te 2 pu 4 fa. 1 99 What is chopped lias not the roundness of what is turned. 砍 的 沒 得車的 圓 K^an 8 ti 1 mu 2 te 2 ch^e 1 ti 1 yuan» 2 、 1〇〇 What you have to do, do without delay. Lit. : Wait till the Yellow Eiver becomes clear, and how old will you be ？ 等得黃 河 淸人 壽幾何 Teng 2 te 2 (Huang 2 ? Ko 2 cMng 1 j^n 2 shou 4 chi 3 lo 2 ? "-" 7~ ！？ 1 To bottom an affair. Lit. : To dig up a tree in search for the root. 挖 樹霉根 Wa 1 shu 4 hsin 2 ken. 1 ~~ ~ 102 —— r Use careful reflection, and all things grow easy : shrink from considering, and all things grow hard. 用 心 ft 較 般般易 Yung 4 hsin 1 chi 4 chiao 4 pan 1 pan 1 yi 4 : 退 步思量 事事難 T ? ui 4 pu 4 ssii 1 Hang 2 shib 4 shih 4 nan. 2 —— - 103 Practice makes perfect. 習， 慣 成 自 .然 Hsi 2 kuan 4 ch^eng 2 tzu 4 jan. 2 104 A novice at the first attempt, an adept at the second. —同 生。 二同熟 Yi 1 (hui 2 sbeng, 1 erh 4 ，3bui 2 shou. 2 MODUS OPERANDI. 17 105 To do or say anything by instalements ！ 傘把通 屁眼。 一節一 節的來 San 3 pa 3 tiling 1 yen, 3 yi 1 chieh 1 yi 1 chidi 1 ti 1 lai. 2 Note. 一 The literal translation of this proverb, more expressive than elegant, : leave to readers of Chinese. ios - Too many cooks spoil the broth. Lit: Seven steers- men, eight sailors, one is uniform the other is not 七 m 公 o 八 水 手。/ 尔齊 我不齊 CM 1 sbao 1 kung, 1 pa 1 shui 3 sbou, 3 ni 3 ch c i 2 wo ?J pu 4 ch% 2 107 ― The Same. Lit" Seven hands and eight feet 七 手八脚 Ctfi 1 shou 3 pa 1 v cbiao. 3 ~~ —— 108 一 As easy as to seize a tortoise in a jar. 罎子裏 IS 鳥龜 。 手 到擎奪 T^an 2 tzu 3 li° cho 1 wu 1 kuei, 1 shou 3 tao 4 cMng 2 na 109 It is easier than to blow dust off anything T 、費吹 灰之力 Pu 4 fei 4 qh^m 1 hui 1 chih 1 li. 4 11〇 Too great haste. Lit. ： The same night that he catches a thief to the yamun he hurries him. 捉倒 强盜 粱夜解 Cho 1 tao 3 ch^iang 2 tao 4 lien 2 yeh 4 chieh. 1 111 To do hurriedly. Lit. ： He breaks the chHng in burn- ing his incense. 燒 营 打破饕 Sbap 1 hsiang 1 ta 3 pV cluing. 4 Note. ― The ch'hg is a musical stone used for ringing on during' worship. ― 112 Congee naturally thickens as it coolg. 18 AGENCY. 粥 冷 '自 然 綢 Chou 1 leng 3 tzu 4 jan 2 cVou. 2 Note. 一 The design of this proverb is to warn against hurry or anxiety in doing anything. ― 113 Mistakes occur through haste, never through doing a thing leisurely. 只 有急. 過的。 沒有 緩 過^ Chih 3 yu 3 chi 2 kuo 4 ti, 1 mu 2 yu 3 ^huan 3 kuo 4 ti. 1 114 —— 一" • To perfect diligence nothing is difficult. — 勸 天下 無難事 Yi 1 cMn 4 l^ien 1 bsia 4 wu 2 nan 2 shih. 4 115 ― He who hurries cannot walk with a stately step. 忙 行無好 歩 Mang 2 hsing 2 wu 2 hao 3 pu. 4 11S There is nothing difficult in the world ； the only fear is that men will be lacking in perseverance. 世 上 無難事 。只怕 心 不 堅 Shih 4 shang 4 wu 2 nan 2 shih 4 ； chih 3 pV hsin 1 pu 4 chien. 1 117 A thousand artisans a thousand plans. 千 個師傳 千個法 CWien 1 ko 4 shih 1 chuan 4 chHen 1 ko 4 fa. 3 118 Easier said than done. 說得 出來。 傲 不出來 Shuo 1 te 2 ch^u 1 lai, 2 tso 4 pu 4 chVi 2 lai. 2 CHAPTER V I . RESOLUTION. 119 Be resolved and the thing is done. 有志者 事覚成 Yu 3 chih 4 che 2 shih 4 ching 4 ctfeng. 2 12〇 Resolution is independent of great age ； but without 、 it one lives a hundred years in vain. 有志 不在年 高 Yu 3 chih 4 pu 4 tsai 4 nien 2 kao 1 ； 無串空 長百歲 wm 2 chih 4 k^ung 1 chang 8 pai 3 suL 4 ― 121 Through all his ranges of spires the mure'x will force out his head. 螺蜘 彎彎就 自有 出頭路 Lo 2 shih 1 wan 1 wan 1 chin 4 tsu 4 yu 3 ch^u 1 t^ou 2 lu. 4 122 Every task can be accomplished by a man of resolution. 事怕有 心 A Shih 4 p c a 4 yu 3 hsin 1 jen. 2 123 With ease a man of worth establishes a family : and what is hard to the true superior man when he resolves ？ 大丈 夫起家 容易 Ta 4 chang 4 fu 1 ch^i 3 chia 1 yung 2 yi 4 : 噶 君子立 志何難 Chen 1 chun 1 tzu 3 1" chih 4 ? ho 2 Dan? 2 124 To do a good trade wants nothing but resolution ； to do a large one nothing but application. 20 AGENCY. ― 事業 要好只 在志氣 Shih 4 yeh 4 yao 4 bao 3 chib 3 tsai 4 chih 4 chV ； 事業 要大只 在攀勞 shih 4 yeh 4 yao 4 ta 4 chih 3 tsai 4 ch、in 2 lao. 2 125 Possessed of resolution a man may make his living thereby ； without it a man must earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. 有志 P£ 志。 無 志 吃 力 Ya 3 ehih 4 cLW chih 4 ; 寵 2 chih 4 cMh 1 li. 4 12S Oiie with, life-long resolution rivals the loftiness of Heaven. m 生 志氣 舆天高 P c ing 2 sheng 1 chih 4 ch^i 4 yii 3 t^ien 1 kao. 1 - ~~ ― 127 He who refuses to serve either king or prince is pos- sessed of lofty resolution. 不事 王侯高 尙 其 志 Pu 4 shih 4 wang 2 《hou 2 kad 1 shang 4 cM 2 chih. 4 128 The first thing a scholar does is to establish resolution. 士 先立志 Sbih 4 Men 1 li 4 chih. 4 129 He cannot see the river, his heart is so set on leaping the dragon gate. m 鸱並 不觀河 $ Liang 3 yen 3 ping 4 pu 4 kuan 1 (ho 2 shai, 8 一 心 只 望 跳 龍 門 Yi 1 hsin 1 chih 3 wang 4 t"iao 4 lung 2 men. 2 Note. 一 In tliis figurative wuy the resolution with which a scholar attempts to gain his degree is set forth. ― 130 To be possessed of resolution. Lit. ： To open the hand in order to grasp the moon in the heavens ； to plunge into the sea in order to seize leviathan. RESOLUTION. 21 舒 手就捉 天上月 Shu 1 sbou 3 chiu 4 cho 1 t^ien 1 sbang 4 yueh 4 ; A * 能 埤 ^中鰲 ju 4 shui 3 neng 2 elfin 2 ^hai 3 cbung 1 ao. 2 Note. 一 The Ao is a fabulous sea monster, said to support the mountain P f eng-hi (蓬突 山) on its back. 131 Till transformed into a dragon, the glittering-scaled fish never lost his resolution. 緝 P 朱. 變 志 常 存 Chin 3 lin 2 wei 4 pien 4 claib 4 eh^ang 2 ts^un,- 2 SECTION II —ON ANIMALS, CHAPTER BEASTS. 132 ― Although dogs together fight, They are very soon all right. in 相 咬。 易得 好 Kou 3 hsiang 1 ao, 3 yi 4 te 2 ^hao. 3 ― 133 The dog understands his master s mood. 狗通， 人 性 Kou 3 ding 1 jen 2 hsing. 4 134 The dog has no aversion to a poor family. 狗不 嫌家貧 Kou 3 pu 4 hsien 2 chia 1 p c in. 3 135 Dogs have more good in them than men think they have. 狗 有 義. 人 不 知 Kou 3 yu 3 i 4 jeo 2 pu 4 chih. 1 " 13S One dog barks at something, and a hundred bark at him. ― 犬吠形 。百 犬吠聲 Yi 1 ch^iian 3 fei 4 hsing, 2 pai 3 cl:,iian 3 fei 4 sheng. 1 ― .137 • The dog guards the night, the cock rules the morn. 犬 守 夜。 鷄司晨 Cyiian 3 shou 3 yeh, 4 chi A ssu 1 ch^en. 2 —— ； ~~ 138 The cat steals the rice, and the dog comes and eats it. 貓子搬 倒甑。 替 狗字趕 倒 張 Mao 1 tzu 3 pan 1 tao 3 tseng, 4 t c i 4 kou 3 tsu 3 kan 2 tao 3 chang. 1 BEASTS. 23 139 The Kbrse never turns its back on its master. 馬 不 背 主 . Ma 3 pu 4 pei 4 chu. 3 ― 140 Cavalry horses delight in battle. 征 馬 戀鬬戰 Cheng 1 鶴 3 lien 4 ton 4 chan 4 . 141 A good horse resembles a superior man. H 馬 比君^ Liang 2 ma 3 pi 3 chiin 1 tzil. 3 142 Men and beasts are all alike. 人 畜一般 Jen 2 shou 4 yi 1 pan. 1 Note ，一 This proverb, which reminds one of the saying in the Book of Ec- clesiastes 一 "so that a man Jaatb. no pre-eminence above a beast " 一 is used some- times to prevent cruelty to animals, and sometimes to dissuade from killmg them for food. 143 " In a wind horses and cows don't agree." 風馬 牛不相 i 及 Feng 1 ma 3 niu 2 pu 4 hsiang 1 chi. 2 ±4=4= —• The horse knows his owner. 馬 能 讖 主 Ma 3 neng 2 shih 4 chu. 3 Note. 一 " The ox knowetli his owner, and the ass his master's crib. " Is a. i : 3. ~ ； —— 1,5 ― The Stag, Phoenix, Tortoise, and Dragon, are the four chiefs of birds and beasts. 麟鳳 龜龍。 諝 之四靈 Lin 2 feng 4 kuei 1 lung, 2 wei 4 chib 1 ssii 4 ling. 2 146 The impetuous steed won't brook restraint. 迅馬 遊韁。 不 必守防 Hsin 4 ina 3 yu 2 chiang, 1 pu 4 pi 4 shou 4 fang. 2 CHAP TEE II, 、 BIRDS. 14:7 The swallow's plastering up its nest is labour lost 燕 子 唧 — 塲 窣 Yen 4 tzu 3 Men 2 ni 2 yi 1 ch^ang 2 k^ung. 1 Note. ― This saying rests on the migratory character of the bird for its justification. 148 The yellow hawk does not rob nests for food. 黃 鶯不打 窩下食 ^Huang 2 ying 1 pu 4 ta 3 wo 1 hsia 4 shih.. 2 ~ 149 A sparrow is a little bird yet it has liver and gall all complete. ' 麻 鵠 雖 小 肝膽俱 ^ Ma 2 oh^iao 3 sui 1 tsiao 3 kan 1 tan 3 chii 4 ch^iian. 2 Note. ― This proverb enforces the necessity of careful attention to the smallest details of any work or service. ' 15〇 In cold weather cocks crow at midnight. 寒鷀半 夜啼 ^Han 2 chi 1 pan 4 yeh 4 t4. 2 _ 151 Crows are black all the world over. • 處 處老鴉 一般黑 CiV ch^u 4 lao 3 ya 1 yi 1 pan 1 ^hei. 1 152 ― The crow does not devour fowls ； ( tliey are .the prey of the eagle. 老鴉不 吃鷄。 該鷹的 Lao ; ya 1 pu 4 ch^ih 1 chi 1 ； kai 1 ying 1 ,ti. 1 ― 15 3 ~~ TJm wild gooso 1 wrings the l>wi]ming of Autumn. 靳秋 H 插來 Hsin 1 ctfiu 1 yen 4 tai 4 lai. 2 BIRDS. 25 154 The heron eats not heron's flesh. 1 鷺 鷥不吃 鷺鷥肉 Lu 4 ssu 1 pu 4 ch^ih 1 la 4 ssu 1 jou, 4 —— ~ 155 Does the swallow know the wild goose's intention ？ 燕 雀豈知 鴻鵠志 Ten 4 ch f iao 8 cbH 3 chib 1 'hung 2 ka 3 chit 4 SECTION III,— ON BUSINESS, CHAPTER I. BUYING AND SELLING. 156 When two partners have one mind, Clay is into gold refined. 二. 人同一 心。 黃土 變成金 Erh 4 jen 2 t^ung 2 yi 1 bsin, 1 4 huang 2 t(u 3 pien 4 ch r eng 2 chin. 1 157 At market prices do your trade, And mutual wrangling you'll evade, Ilf 値 估 價。 不 得 相 罵 Shih 2 chih 2 kti 1 chia, 4 pu 4 te 2 hsiang 1 ma. 4 158 Where much pushing must be made, There cannot be a lively trade. 求買 求寶。 生意不 快 Ch c ia 2 mai 3 ch^iu 2 mai， 4 sheng 1 i 4 pu 4 k^iiai. 4 159 Who does not ready money clutch, Of business talent has not much. 現 錢不 抓。 不 是行寧 Hsien 4 ch c ien 2 pu 4 cliua, 1 pii 4 sbih 4 'hang 2 chia. 1 160 In melon plots, picking and choosing, As one proceeds, grow more confusing. 圜 £ 鸭 選瓜。 越選， 越差 Ylian 2 li" hsiian J kua, 丄 ylieh 4 Lsiian 5 yiieh 4 ch^a. 1 161 If no profit he espies, Where's the man will early rise ？ BUYING AND SELLING. 27 A 無 利 息。 誰 肯早起 Jen 2 wu 2 li 4 hsi, 2 sbui 2 k^en 3 tsao 3 ci^i" ― 162 Hurrying along on both one's feet, Is all for clothes and something to eat. 兩 足 忙 忙 走。 只爲 身合 口 Liang 3 tsu 2 mang 2 mang 2 tsou, 4 chih 3 wei 4 shen 1 c ho 2 k ? ou. 3 163 After a heavy fall of snow, Fuel, rice, oil, and salt, all dearer grow. 大雪 綠粉下 Ta 4 hsiieh 3 fen 1 fen 1 hsia, 4 柴.， 油 鹽都長 慣 Ch^ai, 2 mi, 3 yu, 2 yen, 2 tu 1 chang 3 chia. 4 ― 164 From small profits and many expenses, Comes a wkole life of sad consequences. 賺 尋 少用释 多。一 身受奔 波 Chuan 4 ch^ien 2 sbao 3 yung 4 ch^ien 2 to/ yi 1 shen 1 shoa 4 pen 1 po. 1 165 Fortunes of thousands, of thousands ten, Cannot be made but by able men. , 成 千累萬 。要 有力賺 Ch^eng 2 ch^ien 1 lei 3 wan, 4 yao 4 yu 3 li 4 chuan. 4 16S He plans less for profit than for quick returns, who Will buy a thing for three cash and sell it for two. 三個 錢買。 兩 個錢寳 San 1 ko 4 ch^ien 2 mai^ liang 8 ko 4 ch^ien 2 mai, 4 不 圓 賺 錢 只 圖 快 Pti 4 t r u 2 chuan 4 ch^ien 2 chih 3 t^u 2 k^uai. 4 167 . Whenever you go abroad to trade, Of showing your silver be afraid. 出 外做客 。不 要露白 Cl^u 1 wai 4 tso 4 k《o， 4 pu 4 yao 4 lou 4 po. 2 28 BUSINESS. 1S8 In fine weather lie won't go out ； In dull he hawks cold jelly about ； In the sixth month felt hats he'd sell ； And in the first, door gods as well. ^天 ，晴 不 出 門。 天 濕 寶凉粉 Tien 1 ending 2 pu 4 ch^a 1 men; 2 t^ien 1 shih 1 mai 4 liang 2 fen ； 3 六月 « 氈帽。 正 月寶， 門 神 Lu 4 yiieb 4 mai 4 chart 1 雇 o ； 4 cheng 4 yiieb mai 4 men 2 shen. 2 Note. 一' In the Chinese December a brisk trade is done in all directions in pictures of gods, etc. for the doors ； but no sooner does the new year come in than that trade ceases entirely, arid he would show a very foolish inattention to tLe statt of the market vrho should attempt such a trade in January. 169 You skim the oil, with the broth make free, Without a word of consulting me. P m 油 m 湯。 不 與我相 商 P^ieb 1 k^ai 1 yu 2 ！ ho 1 t^ang, 1 pu 4 yii 3 wo 3 hsiang 1 shang* 1 17〇 Pay your cash and take your grog ； Drink it off and on you jog. % 錢 後酒。 吃 了就走 Ksien 1 cl^ien 2 ( hou 4 chiu ； 3 chW liao 3 chiu 4 tsou, 171 Profits equally share ； Losses equally bear. 賺琴 公分。 折 本 公 ，認 Cbuan 4 ch^ien 2 kung 1 fen ； 1 che 2 pen 3 kung 1 jen- 4 172 Buyers are esteemed ； Goods mere grass are deemed. 客 是寶。 貨是草 K ? o 4 shih 4 pao ； 3 c huo 4 shih 4 ts(ao, 3 173 By entering all that's sold or bought^ Youll escape much anxious cifter-thouglit. P. 竿登 賬。^ 後思量 »Sui 2 pi ' tOng 1 chang, 4 mien 3 r hou 4 ssu 1 liang. 2 BUYIXG AXD SELLIXG. 29 174 Though, you liave money do not spend it in the twelfth montli. 有 錄 莫買. 臘月貨 Yu 3 cli^ieo 2 励 4 raai 3 la 4 yiieb 4 ^huo. 4 175 If yon would not be cheated ask the price at three sliops. 貨買三 率不尙 當 ^Huo 4 raai 3 san 1 chia 1 pu 4 sLang 4 tang. 1 17S If a little cash, does not go, much cash, will not come. 小 m 不去。 大 錢 不 來 Hsiao 3 ch^ien 2 pu 4 ch^ii, 4 ta 4 ch^ien 2 pu 4 lai. 2 Note. 一 If you do not expend a little money in the entertainment of customer s ; you vvil] get none. - —— ― 177 Use the little to get the big; 以 小 到 大 I 3 hsiao 3 tao 4 ta. 4 178 Throw a brick to allure a gem. 拋 磚 ？ I 玉 i P^ao 1 chuau 1 yin 3 yu. 4 179 A man without a smiling face must not open a sliop. 人， 無笑 臉 休 開 店 Jen 2 vru 2 hsiao 4 lieu 3 hsiu 1 k^ai 1 tien. 4 ― 18〇 Cheap things are not good ； good things are not cheap. «s 不是貨 。是 貨 l 不便宜 Pien 4 i 2 pu 4 shih 4 c huo ； 4 sbib 4 r huo 4 pu 4 pien 4 i. 2 1S1 —— ； —— The melon seller declares his melons sweet, 賨 瓜 的 說 瓜 m Mai 1 kua 1 ti 1 sbuo 1 kua 1 t'ien. 2 30 BUSINESS. 182 Seeing a rush don't pursue. 見 快莫趕 Chien 4 k^nai 4 mo 4 kan. 2 183 After ten days' waiting above the rapids, you may traverse nine provinces in a day. 十 "日 灘頭 坐。一 日走 九 州 Sbih 2 jih 4 t^an 1 t^ou 2 tso 3 4 yi 1 jih 4 tsou 3 chiu 3 chou. 1 ' Note. — This and the preceding proverb point out tLe advantage to be gained by patient perseverance in trade. 184 There is a time to fish, and a time to dry nets. n 網 h 灑. 網 • 特 Ta 3 wang 3 jih, 4 shai 4 wang 3 shih. 2 185 Fuel is not sold in a forest, nor fish on a lake. 辦 中不寶 薪。 湖 上 不 鬵 魚 Lin 2 chung 1 pu 4 mai 4 hsin, 1 c ha 2 shang 4 pu 4 yu 2 yii. 2 18S Great profits^ great risks. 利 大 害 大 Li 4 ta 4 c hai 4 ta. 4 187 . Use Lotli such goods and money as suit your market. 貨 消 碼 頭。 錢 用 她 頭 "Huo 4 hsiao 1 ma 3 t^ou, 2 ch^ien 2 yung 4 ti 1 t^ou. 2 188 It is easy to open a sli()p， but hard to keep it open. 開. 店容 ^守^ 難 K^ai 1 tien 4 yung 2 yi 4 shou 3 tien 4 nan. 2 189 Count casli as though it were gold, and so avoid the least mistake. 數 錢如 看金。 不差 半毫分 Sim 1 cl^ieri- ju 2 k r an l chin/ pu 4 ch c a L pan 4 ^bao 2 fen. 1 BUYING AND SELLING. 31 ISO Better sell for small profits than fail in business. 折 本 不如賤 賣貨 Che 2 pen 3 pu 4 jiP chien 4 mai 4 ^huo. 4 ― 191 You cannot cheat one in the trade. 內行 不上當 Nei 4 Thang 2 pu 4 shang 4 tang. 1 —— ~~ 192 ~~ —— When a steelyard hgok is beaten into a nail， both its ends are drawn out straight. 秤 鈎 打 .釘 ，雨 扯 谆 Ch^eng 3 kou 1 ta 3 ting 1 liang 3 ch^e 3 chih. 2 Note. 一 The steel} T ard nook in question is fornied by bending one straight piece of iron wire ； straightened out again it assumes its former condition. Hence this proverb is applied to one who is neither richer nor poorer for his trading. ― —— - 193 Wares are good and bad ； prices higli and low. '、貨 有好歹 。價 有篙低 f Huo 4 yu 3 hao 3 tai f chia 4 yu 3 kao 1 ti. 1 一 194： A man may be more vigorous than his luck ； or he may be more unbending than his goods. A ^ 命不, 。人， 貨不硬 Jen 2 ch^iang 2 ming 4 pu 4 ch^iang; 2 jen 2 ying 4 ^huo 4 pu 4 ying. 4 19S When there is no fish in the river, shrimps are dear. 河 n 無 魚。 翠 也 * r Ho 2 li 3 wu 2 yii, 2 hsia 1 yeh 8 kuei. 4 Note. 一 This saying is sometimes applied to children, showing that daughters are precious in the absence of sons. 196 There may be trade to be done, and none able to do it. 生意 有路。 人無 路 Sheng 1 i 4 yu 3 lu， 4 jen 2 wu 2 lu. 4 197 ― What the customer dreads is to be taken in. 32 BUSINESS. 1 貨的客 A 怕 上 當 Mai 3 r huo 4 ti 1 k f o 4 jen 2 p^a 4 shang 4 tang. 1 198 ― Bargaining is as necessary to trade as poling to a vessel, 嘴， 要爭。 艄要撑 Tsui 3 yao 4 cheng, 1 ch^uasa 2 yao 4 chang, 199 Heady money can buy any tMng in stock 稞 錢買現 貨 Hsien 4 dfien 2 mai 3 hsien 4 c huo. 4 2〇〇 Bad silver will only buy old sow ? s flesL 銅 銀子買 ） 母。 豬肉 T^ung 2 yin 2 tzii 3 mai 3 mu 3 chfi 1 joii. 4 一 201 He sings for joy who makes a profit easily. 得 了 便 財 唱 雅 調 Te 2 liao 3 pien 4 ts r ai 2 ch'ang 4 ya 3 tiao. 4 . 202 When one cheats up to heaven in the price he asks; you come down to earth in the price you offer* 瞞 天 講 。價。 就 地還錢 Man 3 t^ien 1 chiang 3 cliia, 4 chiu 4 ti 4 ^huan 2 ch^ien. 2 203 To fatten tlie mule and starve the horse. 肥 了 騾 子 瘦 了。 馬 Fei 2 liao 3 lo 2 tzu 3 shou 4 liao 8 ma. 8 Note. 一 This refers to what is said to bo common enough in China, namely, one partner's fattening himself nt the expense of anotlier. 2〇4 Who cannot catch fish must catch shrimps. 不 得 魚 4 得 蝦 Pu 4 te 2 yii 2 yeh 3 te 2 bsia. 1 \ 205 In business one must be perfectly affable, 生 意中要 一圑和 氣. Sheng 1 P chung 1 yao 4 yi 1 t r aan 2 ^ho 2 db^L 4 BUYING AND SELLING. 33 206 Every trade has its ways. 生 意各 有道輅 Sheng 1 i 4 ko 4 ya 3 tao 4 In. 4 ― 207 He who can turn his hand to anything, lias not the mind of a fool ； and stock which never lies dead, naturally yields a profit. A 多攣化 & 不 蠢 Jen 2 to 1 pien 4 ^hua 4 hsin 1 pu 4 cVun ； 3 貨 不 f m 利 自 生 %io 4 pu 4 t%g 2 liu 2 li 4 tzu 4 sheng. 1 208 There are customers for all sorts of goods. 百貨 中百客 Pai 3 Auo 4 chung 1 pai 3 k^o. 4 209 To sell a couple of cucumbers in three days. 三 天 寳. .兩 條黃瓜 San 1 t^ien 1 mai 4 liang 3 t^iao 2 r huang 2 kua. 1 ~~ —— 21〇 ― When water rises vessels rise ； so rise market prices. '水 長 船 高。 高 抬市價 Sbui 3 ch^ang 2 ch^uan 2 kao ； 1 kao 1 t f ai 2 shib 4 chia. 4 • 211 High prices attract sellers from afar. 價 高 招 遠 客 Chia 4 kao 1 chao 1 yiian 3 k r o. 4 212 One word now will settle a bargain, though prices vary from morning to night. 目下一 言馬： 定 Mu 4 hsia 4 yi 1 yen 2 wei 2 ting, 4 早 晚聘 « 不同 tsao 3 wan 3 shih 2 chia 4 pa 4 t c ung. 2 213 Buyers and sellers dispute over a single cash. 34 BUSINESS. 買賣爭 毫厘 Mai 3 mai 4 cheng 1 ^hao 2 li. 2 ― 21.4 ― Dispute the price, but don t dispute the weight. 爭價 不爭平 Cheng 1 chia 4 pu 4 cheng 1 p^ing. 2 215 Buying fresh, fish and vegetables examine them first, then fix the price. m 魚 小 莱. 埤籃' 着 « Hsien 1 yii 2 hsiao 3 ts^ai 4 i(i 2 lan 2 cbo 2 chia. 4 ― 216 ： Hold back your goods for a thousand days, and you'll be sure to sell at a profit. 放得千 日貨。 自有 賺錢踌 Fang 4 te 2 ch^ien 1 jih 4 ^huo, 4 tzu 4 yu 3 chuan 4 ch r ien 2 shih. 2 217 Ten thousand per cent is a cargo of wealth and return to one's home. —本萬 利。 满 谶而歸 Yi 1 pen 2 wan 4 li, 4 man 3 tsai 3 erh 3 kuei. 1 218 For profits as small as a fly's head, to rush from east to west. 蠅 頭 小 ，。 奔 西走東 Ying 1 t^ou 2 hsiao 3 li, 4 pen 1 hsi 1 tsou 4 ttmg. 1 219 Just scales and full measures injure no man. 秤 平斗満 不鹧人 Ch^eng 3 p^ing 2 ton 3 man 3 pu 4 k^aei 1 jen. 2 ― 220 Don't buy every thing that's cheap, and you'll escape being greatly taken in. 買不 盡塽易 上 不盡當 MaP pu 4 chin 4 pien 4 yi 4 shang 4 pu 4 chin 4 tang. 1 BUYING AND SELLING. 35 221 He who has patience to wait for a shoal offish, will catch small ones if not large. 耐 煩 等得羣 R 到 Nai 4 fan 2 - teng 2 te 2 ch^iin 2 yti 2 tao. 4 大 魚 不 來 小 k 來 ta 4 yii 2 pu 4 lai 2 hsiao 3 yu 2 lai. 2 222 Own brothers keep careful accounts. 親 兄第 明算賬 Ch^in 1 hsiung 1 ti 4 ming 2 suan 4 chang. 4 ― 223 Eelations or not relations, my turnips are three hundred cash per picul. ，零 家不親 家 Chin 1 chia 1 pu 4 ch^in 1 chia, 1 蘿 蔔三百 錢一檐 lo 2 po 1 san 1 pai 3 ch^ien 2 yi 1 tan. 1 —— —— 224 Small trades make great profit. 小 生意 賺大錢 Hsiao 3 sheug 1 i 4 chuan 4 ta 4 clfien. 2 225 Even a dolt will not sell under cost price to favour any one. 癡 1 寞不把 本饒人 Ch% 2 ? han 4 . pu 4 pa 3 pen 3 jao 2 j^n. 2 226 When you buy, buy genuine articles ； and if you must lose, lose as little as possible. 買 赏買 得矚。 折 本折得 輕 Mai 3 %io 4 mai 3 t6 2 chen; 1 che 2 pen 3 che 2 te 2 ch^ing. 1 227 一 Those who make money make little exertion ； those who make much exertion make no money. 賺錢不 費力。 費力 不賺錢 Chuan 4 chW pu 4 fei 4 li; 4 fei 4 li 4 pu 4 chuan 4 cli c ien. 2 36 BUSINESS. 228 A good customer won't change his shop, or a good- shop lose its customer, once in three years. 好客 三年不 換店 c Hao 3 k(o 4 san 1 nien 2 pu 4 ^huan 4 tien, 4 ， 好 店三年 不換客 ^hao 3 tien 4 san 1 nien 2 pu 4 f huan 4 k c o. 4 229 Those who can do a good trade don't wrangle over taxes 會傲 買竇不 爭衙稅 c Hui 4 tso 4 mai 3 mai 4 pu 4 cheng 1 ya 2 shui. 4 ~~ —— 23〇 When Kuan Lao-yeh sells bean-curd, the man is strong, the goods are weak. 關 老爺寶 豆腐. 人强 貨弱 Kuan 1 Lao 3 yeh 2 mai 4 ton 4 fu 3 jen 2 ch r iang 2 c huo 4 jo. 4 Note. 一 In the popular idea Kuan Lao-yeh or the god of war, was originally nothing but a bean-curd seller. As such he is represented on the stage. And this proverb is employed in telling a man that however fine a salesman he may be, his goods are not up to the mark. 231 —— ~ Able to buy, don't so buy as to frighten the seller : able to sell, don't so sell as to frighten the buyer. 會買莫 買怕人 ? Hui 4 mai 3 mo 4 mai 3 p^a 4 jen ; 2 會. 寶. 莫 寳. 怕 '入 c hui 4 mai 4 mo 4 mai 4 p^a 4 jen. 2 232 When there is no fish in one spot, cast your hook into another. 此處無 魚 別 下 鈎 Tz^u 3 ch^u 4 wu 2 yii 2 pieh 2 hsia 4 kou. 1 233 "Before you calculate on buying, calculate on selling." 未. 算 買。 先算蕈 Wei 4 suan 4 mai, 8 hsien 1 suan 4 mai. 4 BUYING AND SELLING. 37 r 23fr Dont reckon on this years bamboo, but on next year's bamboo sprouts. 不圖今 年竹。 也 圖來年 Pu 4 t^u 2 chin 1 nien 2 chu, 2 yeh 3 t^u 2 lai 2 nien 2 235 sun. 3 A string of cash can but reach, to the back of one's heel. — 串 錢打起 脚後跟 Yi 1 ch^uan 4 cMen 2 ta 3 cM 3 chiao 3 ^hou 4 ken. 1 Note. 一 This proverb says in effect ： 一 The siun is a mere trifle, not worth contending about. CHAPTER CAPITAL. 23S Two men seeing eye to eye, Having money gold can huy: Without money, though he try, One can but a needle buy. ，兩 .人 一 般 心。 有錢 堪賀金 Liang 3 jen 2 yi 1 pan 1 hsin/ yu 3 cWien 2 k^an 1 mai 3 chin: 1 了. 人一般 心。 無 m 堪買針 Yi 1 jen 2 yi 1 pan 1 hsin, 1 wu 2 ch^ien 2 k^an 1 mai 3 chen. 1 237 —— ~ Small profits on large capital are after all great ； great profits on small capital are after all small. 本 大 利 小 還 是 大 Pen 3 ta 4 li 4 hsiao 3 化画 2 shih 4 ta : 4 本 + 利 大 還 是 小 pen 3 hsiao 3 li 4 ta 4 c huan 2 shih 4 hsiao. 3 ― 238 Great capital great profits. 本 大利大 Pen 3 ta 4 li 4 ta, 4 239 You cannot trade without some capital. Lit, : You must have a couple of grains of rice in order to catch fowls. i 义 鷄也要 兩頼米 ChV chi 1 yeh 3 yao 4 liang 3 kV mi. 3 24：0 The same. Lit. : No one can sew without a needle : no one can row without water. K 非 針 不 引 線。 無 水 不渡船 Fei 1 chen 1 pu 4 yin 3 hsien : 4 wu 2 shia 3 pu 4 ta 4 ch^uan. 2 CAPITAL. 39 ~ 24.1 Though, boiled to ribbons the meat is still in the pan. 肉爛了 在鍋褢 Jon 4 lan 4 liao 3 tsai 4 kuo 1 li. 3 Note. ― Applicable to stock in trade, or capital in hand. 242 Union of capital is like union of fate. 同 夥本 如同命 Tiling 2 c huo 8 pen 3 ju 2 t!ung 2 ming. 4 243 ― Having capital to open an eating house, I dread not the most capacious stomach. 有 錢 開飯店 。不怕 你大肚 1寞 Yu 3 ctfien 2 k^ai 1 fan 4 tien, 4 pu 4 p^a 4 ni 3 ta 4 tu 3 ? han. 4 244 A dry finger cannot lick up salt. 乾揩早 舔不 取鹽來 Kan 1 chih 3 chia 3 t^ien 3 pu 4 ch^u 3 yen 2 lai. 2 ― 245 Without capital. Lit. : A farmer without an ox ； a merchant without capital. 庄 家 無牛。 客無本 Chuang 1 chia 1 wu 2 niu; 2 kV wu 2 peo. 3 To get on without capital. Lit ： He picks up grain and opens a mill. 撿 倒麥子 開磨坊 Chien 3 tao 8 mai 4 tzu 3 k^ai 1 mo 2 fang. 1 247 To attempt great trade without capital. Lit. : With never a single hemp thread in his hand, he thinks to make a dozen nets. ^手 q ，上 沒得一 根麻 線 bhou 3 sbaug 4 舰 2 te 2 yi 1 ken 1 ma 2 hsien, 4 >& 裡想 打十 二股網 bsm 1 li 3 hsiang 3 ta 3 sbih 2 erh 4 ku 3 wang. 3 CHAPTEE III. DEBTS, CREDIT, BORROWING, AND LENDING". 248 My capital's small and profits slender, On credit my goods I can't surrender. 本 小 利 窄。 賒 欠不得 Pen 3 hsiao 3 li 4 tse 5 4 she 1 cKien 4 pu 4 te. 2 249 ~ ~~ ； Lend the man money if you have it to spare ； And if you have not, to be civil take care. 有錢 將錢。 無 錢將言 Yu 3 ch^ien 2 chiang 1 cMen ; 2 wu 2 ct^ien 2 chiang 1 yen 2 • 2SO ― It is not considered debt when the interest has been paid ； Nor when the principal s paid back can a charge of fraud be made. 還利不 爲欠。 還 本 不零驊 ^Huan 2 li 4 pu 4 wei 2 ch^ien ； 4 ? huan 2 pen 3 pa 4 wei 2 p ? ien. 4 - 251 You borrow my umbrella, ― to thank me do not try ； But through the night, I'd ask you, please, hang it up to dry. 借 傘勿用 謝。 只要 晾 過 夜 Chieh 4 san 3 wu 4 yuog 4 Lsieh 4 ； chih 3 yao 4 Hang 4 ko 4 yeh. 4 252 Iron or brass, Let nothing pass. 是 銅 是鐡。 腰襄一 撇 Shih 4 t^ung 2 shih 4 t%h, 3 yao 1 li 3 yi 1 p^ieh. 1 Note. 一 This proverb advises to take whatever can be got of a debt. 253 ― Better take eight hundred than give credit for a thousand cash. 千 賒不 如八百 現 Cyien 1 she 1 pa 4 ju 2 pa 1 pai 3 hsien. 4 DEBT, CREDIT, ETC. 41 ― 254 Credit cuts off customers. 賒賬 斷主顧 She 1 chang 4 t 画 4 chu 3 ku. 4 ― 255 We can deal with ready money customers ； those who want credit may spare their breath. 現 錢 照 顧。 賒者 免 言 Hsien 2 ch ? ien 2 chao 4 ku 4 ； she 1 che 2 mien 3 yen. 2 —— 2SG —— ~ Better twenty per cent on ready money, than thirty per cent on credit. - / • 賒三不 ^現二 She 1 san 1 pu 4 ju 2 hsien 2 erh. 4 2S7 Debt oppresses man. Lit. : The character cWien (debt) presses on the head of the character (man). 欠 字壓， 人頭 CMen 4 tzu 4 ya 1 jen 2 t^ou. 2 Note. 一 This ingenious play on the word clHen^ will be readily appreciated on .an inspection of the way in which that word is written. ' 258* I shall easily get over this year's famine ； but in my plenty it will be hard for you to meet me. 荒 年易 得過。 寳收難 見 A CHuang 1 x nien 2 yi 4 te 2 ko 4 ； shib 2 shou 1 nan 2 n 2 tsai, 4 ― ~~ 294 When going to pawn say nothing about it. 當 當 莫傲聲 Tang 4 tang 4 mo 4 tso 4 sheng.. 1 295 ~~ ； To do nothing else but pawn. Lit. : To pawn, and take out of pawn, arid pawn again. 當 當取當 當抵當 Tang 4 tang 4 ch^U 3 tang 4 tang 4 ti 2 tang. 4 29S Military offenders open small pawn sKops ； wealthy men open large ones. 48 BUSINESS. 軍犯籣 小鉀。 財主 髒 典 當 Chiin 1 fan 4 k^ai 1 hsiao 3 ya 1 ； ts(ai 2 chu 3 J^ai 1 tieh 3 tang. 4 297 The axe strikes the chisel, and the chisel enters the wood, 斧 打鑿。 鑿入木 Fa 3 tta 3 tso， 2 ,tso 2 ju 4 mu. 4 Note. 一 The axe represents the creditor, the chisel the surety, and tlie wood tbo debtor. 298 All middle-men prompt you to increase your offer : where is the middle-man who will assist you with his money ？ 只 有添錢 中人 Chih 3 yu 3 t^ien 1 dh^ien 2 chung 1 jen 2 ； 那 有 貼 譯中. 人 ilia 3 yu 8 t^ieh 1 ch^ien 2 chung 1 jen 2 < ? 299 He who can recommend ^mother has great respecta^ bility. 薦主 面子 大 Chien 4 cha 3 mien 4 tzu 3 ,ta. 4 30〇 " A man is better than a pledge." 當人 不當物 Tang 4 jen 2 pu 4 tang 4 wu. 4 301 " Middle-men bear no responsibilities ； and sureties pay no debts/' 中人 不挑担 P 、保人 不 還 錢 Cbung 1 jen 2 pu 4 t^iao 1 tan 1 ； pao 3 jen 2 pu 4 %nan 2 ch ? ien> 2 302 ― The middle-man settles the bargain. Lit. •• The words drop from the middle-man's mouth. 話落中 厶 口 ^Hua 4 lo 4 chung 1 jen 2 k^oa. 3 DEBT, CREDIT, ETC. 49 3〇3 A firm-shouldered surety. m 葶的保 Ying 4 chien 1 ti 1 pao. 3 ― 304= 一 You may be surety for a generals going into battle ; can you be surety for his coming out ？ 保得將 軍進。 保得將 箪 出 Pao 3 te 2 chiang 1 chiin 1 chin 4 ; pao 3 te 2 chiang 1 chiin 1 cb^a 1 ？ Note. ~ This proverb is of general application. ― 305 Selling land sell the house on it ； and invite a middle- man to settle your bargain. 賣 基 寶窠。 請 中說合 Mai 1 chi 1 ma} 4 ctfao^ ； ch c ing 3 chung 1 shuo 1 (ho; C H A P T E E VI. TRADERS. 306 All unskilful fools, Quarrel with, their tools. 自巳無 能。 反 推. 物 鈍 Tzu 4 chi 3 wu 2 neng, 2 fan 3 l/ui 1 wu 4 tun. 4 3〇7 —— ~~ Beat your gong, your candies vend ； Each must to his trade attend. 打 鑼竇. 糖。 各 有一行 Ta 3 lo 2 mai 4 t^ang 2 ； ko 4 yu 3 yi 1 ? hang. 2 308 ~ ； ~~ ： Bachelors to talk of books incline ； Pork butchers delight to talk of swine. 秀 才談書 。屠 ^ 談 猪 Hsiu 4 ts^ai 2 t ? an 2 shu 1 ； t c u 2 ^hu 4 t c an 2 chu. 1 ― —— - 309 One, like the letter hung, which can never raise its head, Can only for one mouth alone secure daily bread. 工字不 出頭。 $ 能養 一 口 Kung 1 tzil 4 pu 4 ch^u 1 t^ou, 2 chih 3 neng 2 yang 3 yi 1 -k r ou. 2 Note. ― A slight inspection of the character kung (workman) will show the ingenuity of this pun. 31〇 On new years day， and on a feast, Every kind 01 work has ceased. 逢年 遇節。 百工都 ♦ Feng 2 nien 2 yii 4 chieh, 2 pai 3 kung 1 tu 1 hsieh. 1 311 No men occupy so degraded a position, As the brothel-keeper, actor, and low musician. 世 問 只 有三般 醜 SLih 4 chien 1 chih^ yu } san 1 pan 1 ch^ou, 3 忘 八 戲 子> 吹 鼓手 Wang 4 pa 1 bsi 4 tzu >' cl/ui 1 ku^ shou. 3 TRADERS. 51; 312 Porters and chairmen, without delay, • Soon as the job is done, want their pay. 挑籮 抬轎歇 下就要 T^iao 1 lo 2 t(ai 2 chiao, 4 hsieh 1 hsia 4 chin 4 yao. 4 313 - ~ - ~~ When silversmiths decline to steal, Theii* families starvation feel ； When tailors cabbage do refuse, Their wives are minus drawers to use. 銀 匠不 銀。 餓死 一家人 Yin 2 chiang 4 pa 4 t'ou 1 yin, 2 o 4 ssu 3 yi 1 chia 1 jen 2 : 裁 鏠不 偷布。 婦人 莫得褲 Ts^ai 2 feng 3 pa 4 tW pu, 4 fu 4 jen 2 mo 4 te 2 k^u. 4 314： When liusbandmen have stored their grain, They go to law, or build again. 4 v 鄕 II 老 收 T 穀 Hsiang 2 li 3 lao 3 shou 1 liao 3 ku, 3 不打官 ，事 就蓋屋 Pu 4 ta 3 kuan 1 shib 4 chiu 4 kai 4 wu. 1 315 To learn to play the fife and drum steadfastly decline, If you don't want to sit outside, and to sip cold wine. 爲 办 莫學 吹鼓手 Wei 2 jen 2 mo 4 hsiao 2 ch^ui 1 ku 3 shou, 3 坐階簷 喝冷酒 Tso 4 chieh 1 yen 2 { ho l leng 3 chiu. 3 316 To his books a teacher must ever adhere : His pigs, a poor man must continue to rear. 敎學不 離書。 窮人 不離猪 Chiao 4 hsiao 2 pu 4 li 2 shu 1 : ch^iung 2 jen 2 pu 4 li" 2 cha. 1 317 Better be master of one than Jack of all trades. ii m 無， ^ —纏 精 Pai 3 i 4 viu 2 ju 2 yi 1 i 4 cliing. 1 52 BUSINESS. 318 Every man to his calling. Lit. : Separate hongs are like separate hills. 隔 狩如隔 山 Ko 2 ^hang 2 ju 2 ko 2 shan* 1 319 The same. Lit. : The river does not overflow the well. 河 水 不 氾 井 水 乂 Ho 2 shui 3 pu 4 fan 4 cHng 3 shui. 3 320 Two of a trade hate one another. 當行 厭當行 Tang 1 -hang 2 yen 4 tang 1 c hang. 2 321 There is mutual love between men of a creed, mutual jealousy between men of a trade. 同道者 相愛。 同藝 者翱狨 Tung 2 tao 4 qW bsiang 1 ai， 4 t f ung 2 i 4 che 2 hsiang 1 chi. 4 —— 322 Serve but a day and you are a slave ； deal in ever so small a way and you are a merchant. 帮 n 爲奴 Pang 1 jen 2 yi 1 jih 4 wei 2 lu 2 ； 脣 ^四 兩爲客 chien 1 t^iao 1 ssu 4 liang 3 wei 2 k ? o. 4 323 The fisherman must not desert his boat. 打 魚 埒不 籬船邊 Ta 3 yii 2 ti 1 pu 4 li 2 ch^uan 2 pien. 1 324 , There is room for all sorts of traders. Lit. •• Many boats do not stop up a channel ； many vehicles do not block up a road. 船多不 礙铋。 車多 不礙路 Cb^uan 2 to 1 pu 4 ai 4 chiang^ ； ch^c 1 to 1 pu 4 ai 4 lu. 4 TRADERS. 53 325 Every one to his calling. Lit. ： The priest reverts to his monastery, and the merchant to liis shop. 和 尙 歸 寺。 客 歸 Ho 2 shang 4 kuei 1 ssii, 4 kV kuei 1 tien. 4 32S Pork butchers and clog-slayers will come to no good end. 殺 猪 剝 狗， 無有下 稍 Sba 1 chu 1 po 1 kou 3 wu 2 yu 3 Lsia 4 sbao. 1 Note. 一 In tins saying vegetarians predict the sure punishment of all who indulge themselves in flesli meat. 327 ― —— Traders are like priests. M 竇. p f fr Mai 3 mai 4 ju 2 tsiu 1 hsing. 2 Note. ― 4 4 Priests " i.e. virtue cultivators. Patience is the virtue needed by both, and the one here inculcated on tradesmen* 328 Trading with petty hucksters^ don't banter tliem down too much. 與 S 挑資易 。勿 佔便宜 Yii 3 chien 1 Viao 1 匪 yi, 4 wu 4 chan 4 pien 4 i. 2 — ： 329 A cloth huckster fears not your measure, though long as a carrying pole. 竇 布的不 怕 扁担量 Mai 4 pu 4 ti 1 pu 4 p c a 4 pien 3 tan 4 liang. 2 Note. 一 You cannot outdo the tallyman. If he uses j'our measure, which is longer than his, lie charges you a higher price. 33〇 An eatinghouse-keeper does not care how large your stomach is. 開飯 店的不 怕 你 肚 子 大 K^ai 1 fan^ tien 4 ti 1 pu 4 p r a 4 ni :i tu 3 tzu 3 ta. 4 331 Three raw hands are unequal to one good hand. 三生趕 不倒一 熟 San 1 sheng 1 kan^ pu 4 tao s yi 1 shou. 2 54 BUSINESS. ' 332 -— ~ Who keeps the hills, burns the wood ； wlio keeps the stream drinks the water. 管' 山的 燒柴。 管河 的 吃 水， Kuan 3 shan 1 ti 1 shao 1 ch^ai 2 ； kuan 3 ^ho 2 ti 1 ch'ib 1 shui. 3 333 Farmers naturally realize enjoyment. 田家 自有樂 T c ien 2 chia 1 tzu 4 yu 3 lo. 4 334 There is a senior wrangler in every calling. 狩狩 出狀元 . r Hang 2 (hang 2 ch^a 1 chuang 4 yiian. 2 ~~ —— 335 A man of many trades cannot rear a family. 藝多 不養家 I 4 to 1 pu 4 yang 3 chia. 1 SECTION. IV— ON DOMESTIC CONCERNS. CHAPTEE I. FOOD AND CLOTHING. 336 Sow-tliistles bitter, or oil made liot， T c is matter of taste to eat or not. 熱油苦 菜 ？ 各嗨 A 琴— Je 4 yu 2 k(u 3 ts(ai， 4 ko 4 sui 2 jen 2 ai. 4 337 Omit to stretch yourself after each meal, And lumps in your throat youll certainly feel. 卩§ 飯不 釋腰。 必定 是喉包 Ch^ih 1 fan 4 pu 4 ch'eng 1 yao, 1 pi 4 ting 4 shih 4 (hou 2 pao. 1 338 The cocks the morning greet 一 My stomach is replete : The cocks sound forth the noon ― I must be eating soon. 鷄呌 早。 肚子鉋 Chi 1 chiao 4 tsao， 3 tu 3 tzu 3 pao 3 : 鶏. 呀 中。 肚子空 Chi 1 chiao 4 chung, 1 tu 3 tzu 3 k^ung. 1 339 Of things to use and to refresh us, Money and salt are the most precious. P£ 盡 天下 鹽好。 ChW chin 4 t^ien 1 hsia 4 yen 2 hao ? ° 用盡^ T 缉 好。 yimg 4 chin 4 t^ien 1 hsia 4 ch^ien 2 hao. 9 ' —— 34：0 Don't eat the liver or blood of swine ； Shrimps and tortoises also decline. 56 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 猪不 可吃肝 血 Chu 1 pu 4 k(o 3 cbW kan 1 hsieh 3 ； 魚不可 u 契 up 鼈 Yu 2 pu 4 kV ch^ih 1 hsia 1 pieh. 1 r 341 j On a journey never mind what progress you are making; At a meal consider not how much food you are taking. 行不 ft 路。 食 不計數 Hsing 2 pu 4 chi 4 In 4 ； shih 2 pu 4 chi 4 shu. 4 Note. 一 The meaiung of this proverb is, that you should, in eating, only con- ； sider the satisfying of hunger ； and that, in travelling, you should not annoy the skipper or driver with questions about the distances. 342 Three meals will save a man from want ； Freedom from rags three suits will grant. |S 有三 餐不餓 Fan 4 yu 3 san 1 ts^an 1 pu 4 o 4 ； 衣有三 件不破 I 1 yu 3 san 1 chien 4 pu 4 p 5 o. 4 —— 343 He who cares for his belly much more than his back, To face friends in his rags is uncommonly slack. 顧嘴不 顧身。 衣破 難對人 Ku 4 tsui 3 pu 4 ku 4 shen, 1 i 1 p c o 4 nan 2 tui 4 jen. 2 ~™ : —— 344 Clothes can't be made an inch too long ； Boots must not be a fraction wrong. 衣不長 寸。 鞋 不差分 I 1 pu 4 ctfang 2 ts^un 4 ; hsieh 2 pu 4 dhV fen. 1 345 In dress and food do not break rules. 穿衣 （] 契飯 不犯 條 律 Chilian 1 i l ctfih 1 fan 4 pu 4 fan 4 t r iao 2 lii. 4 346 Do not covet for the mouth and belly, and so slay Ix^asls and birds without restraint. 勿貪口 腹而恣 殺牲禽 Wu 4 t^an 1 kW fu 2 erh 2 tzu 4 sha 1 sheng 1 cWn. 2 FOOD AND CLOTHING. 57 347 First secure food ； then secure clothing. 先 顧食。 後顧衣 Hsien 1 ku 4 shih 2 ； hou 4 ku 4 i. 1 —— ― 348 ― Though breakfast be good, dinner is better. 侵 晨 飯好〜 算不得 午後鉋 Cyin 1 ch^en 2 fan 4 hao, 3 suan 4 pu 4 te 2 wu 3 ^hou 4 . pao. 3 349 Only eat fresh fish and ripened rice. m m 新 鮮。 琿 p 契 熟 . Yii 2 ch^ih 1 hsin 1 hsien, 1 mi 3 cb^ih 1 shu. 2 —— 35〇 Viands have various flavours ； what pleases the palate is good. 物 無. 定 咏。 適 口者珍 Wu 4 wu 2 ting 4 wei, 4 shih 4 k(ou 2 che 2 chen, 1 —— —一 351 ― When rice is not well cooked it is because the steam lias been uneqtially distributed. 飯术熟 氣不勻 Fan 4 pu 4 shu 2 chV p U 4 ytin. 2 ^ ； —— 352 Eustics feast twice a year ； after the new year's feast, they look for the harvest-home. 鄉募 A '― 年兩 回暈 Hsiang 1 ni 3 jen 2 vi 1 nien 2 liang 3 ^hui 2 yiin 1 ； p 契： r 年 w 飯 i 望 喫 新 chW liao 3 nien 2 fan 4 wang 4 ch^ih 1 hsin. 1 353 Our daily bread depends on Heaven. 喫 飯靠天 CMh 1 fan 4 k^ao 4 t^ien. 1 354： ― Clothes and food are daily mercies. 衣飯 逐日生 I 1 fan 4 sui 2 jib 4 sheng. 1 58 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 355 A hungry man is glad to get boiled wheat. 肚饑好 P 契 麥米飯 Tu 3 chi 1 hao 4 ch^ih 1 mai 4 mi 4 fan. 4 35S Eyes must be closed to swallow maggots in one's food. 閉 眼 ，毛 蟲 Pi 4 yen 3 chW mao 2 ch^ung. 2 Note. 一 This is used to complain of the dirtiness of any sort of food. 35V Feed moderately on wholesome food ； garden herbs surpass rich viands. ^穹約 而糧。 園 蔬 愈珍饞 [Yin 3 shih 2 yo 1 crh 2 ching 1 ； yiian 2 su 1 yii 4 chen 1 hsiu. 1 358 There is dew for every blade of grass. —根 草有一 根草的 露水養 Yi 1 ken 1 ts r ao 3 yu 3 yi 1 ken 1 ts^ao 3 ti 1 lu 4 shui 3 yang. 3 ― 359 When the wild bird lacks food, all the earth is before him. Note. 一 This beautiful saying reminds one of the Psalmist's words ― "He givetli to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. " Ps. 147 : 9. It reminds one tfilso of our Lord's words ― * ' Behold the fowls of the air ： for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns ； yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them." Matt. 6: 26. ~~ '- ~~ 360 Fresh food is fragrant ； stale food stinks. 新 是香。 陳是臭 Hsin 1 shih 4 hsiang 1 ； cl^en 2 sbih 4 ch^ou. 4 361 The more you eat, the less flavour ； the less you eat, the more flavour. 多 喫 少滋 5^。 少 喫 多 i 兹咏 To 1 chW shao 3 tzu 1 wei 4 : sbao 3 ctfih 1 to 1 tzu 1 wei. 4 FOOD AND CLOTHING. 59 3S2 Whatever will fill your belly is good food. 物可充 m 皆 % 韋 Wu 4 k^o 3 ch^ung 1 ch^ang 2 chieh 1 mei 3 shih. 2 —— 3S3 ~ —— We scheme for three meals per day, and for one sleep by night. 日圜三 餐夜圖 一宿 Jih 4 t《u 2 san 1 ts^an, 1 yeh 4 t^a 2 yi 1 hsiii. 3 3S4 ― The mouth is an unlimited measure. P 是 無量斗 K f ou 2 shih 4 wu 2 Hang 2 ton. 3 3S5 Dress makes the gentleman or lady. 有衣打 扮 揮 成 .人 Yu 3 i 1 J^a 8 pan 4 pien 4 ch^eng 2 jen. 2 36 S To don the hat and sport the girdle is what every- body likes. . II 冠束 帶芈. 人琴 Ting 3 kuan 1 su 2 tai 4 shih 1 jen 2 ai. 4 367 Those who go swinging and strutting are only dressed out for show. 一 搖三擺 實排. 塲 Yi 1 yao 2 san 1 pai 3 shih 2 p^ai 2 ch^ang 2 368 As a house needs man to set it off， so a man needs clothes. 屋要 人襯。 人要衣 襯 Wu 1 yao 4 jen*' ch f en, 4 jen 2 yao 4 i l ch^en. 4 CH APTEE HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS. 3S9 To make a family prosper, is like digging with needles in clay : To bring a family to ruin, is like washing a sand- bank away. 奧 家爲如 針排土 Hsing 1 chia 1 yu 2 ju 2 ch^n 1 t^iao 1 t^u 3 : 敗 家猶如 '水 推 m Pai 4 chia 1 yu 2 ju 2 shui 3 t^ui 1 chou. 1 37〇 A grown tree spreads its branches wide ； A grown-up household must divide. ^大 分家。 樹 夭分椏 Jen 2 ta 4 fen 1 chia 1 ; shu 4 ta 4 fen 1 ya. 2 371 • The hall which no ancient pictures grace, Is not the home of an ancient race. 堂 前無 古畫。 不是舊 人家. T c ang 2 ch^ien 2 wu 2 ku 3 hua, 4 pu 4 shih 4 chiu 4 jen 2 chia.」 372 If you want to get along, Let the old respect the young. 要得好 。老 敬 小 Yao 4 te 2 hao, 3 lao 3 ching 4 hsiao. 3 373 Whenever one family comes to grief, A hundred families send relief. 一家 不彀。 百家 相 凑 Yi 1 chia 1 pu 4 kou， 4 pai 3 chia 1 bsiarig 1 ts^ou. 4 HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS. 61 374 By three days' early rising one clay's work you gain ； And from asking any favour you can well refrain. 早 起 '三日 當一工 Tsao 3 ch4 3 san 1 jih 4 tang 4 yi 1 knng 1 ； 免得求 人落卞 封 Mien 3 te 2 cMu 2 jen 2 lo 4 hsia 4 feng. 1 375 Domestic foibles must not be spread abroad. 枣醜不 可 外 癟 Chia 1 chW 3 pu 4 k ? o 3 wai 4 yang. 2 • • 376 ~ ； When families quarrel, outsiders deride. 家 裡不和 外人欺 Chia 1 li 3 pu 4 c ho 2 wai 4 jen 2 ch^i. 1 ~~ : —— 377 Better establish a branch, than cut off a line. 攀可 成一 房。 不可 敗.一 ^ Ning 2 k《o 3 ch^eng 2 yi 1 fang, 2 pu 4 k^o 3 pai 4 yi 1 L 4 Note. 一 You must perpetuate yourself in some way or other, either through your own or adopted child. Perfect harmony in a of speech. - 圖 和 Yi 1 than 2 ^ho 2 37S family removes all restrictions 氣。 百. 無琴 ^ ch^i, 4 par 3 wu 2 chin 4 chi. 4 ― 379 ― To bring disgrace and rain on the door. 傲得辱 門敗^ Tso 4 te 2 ju 4 men 2 pai 4 %i. 4 380 Every household knows when salt and ride are dear. 當家 纔纟口 鹽米賁 . Tang 1 chia 1 ts^ai 2 chih 1 yen 2 mi 3 knei. 4 —— 381 Quarrelling for superiority will gradually destroy the affairs of a family. 62 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 相論逞 英豪。 家計 漸漸返 Hsiang 1 lun 4 ch^eng 3 ying 1 r hao，' 2 chia 1 chi 4 cHen 4 chien 4 t^ui. 4 382 Fair maids and lovely concubines endanger family happiness. 婢美. 牵 m # 閨: 房；^ 福 Pi 4 mei 3 ch r ieh 4 chiao 1 fei 1 kuei 1 fang 2 chih 1 fu. 2 383 ― —— Who takes in his son-in-law brings trouble into his house. Lit. : He calls in his son-in-law to play the mountebank. 招 女婿 搬把戯 Chao 1 nii 2 hsii 4 pan 1 pa 3 hsi. 4 Note. —— The maiden ought, of course, to leave her father's house and go to that of her husband. The opposite course is sure to result in scenes, 3S4 When any one in a family breaks the law， the sin is laid to the blame of its head. 家 .人 犯 法。 罪 在寧主 Chia 1 jen 2 fan 4 fa ? y tsui 4 tsai 4 cbia 1 cha. 3 • 385 Family quarrels. Lit. : One domestic demon mocks another domestic sprite. 家鬼. 弄零神 Chia 1 kuei 3 nung 4 chia 1 shen. 2 38S One who can speak, speaks of markets ； one who can't, speaks merely of household affairs. 會 說 說都 市 。不肯 說屋裡 ^Hui 4 shuo 1 shuo 1 tu 1 shih 4 ； pu 4 c hui 4 shuo 1 wu 1 li. 3 3S7 It is easier to rule a kingdom than to regulate a 國 ^ 治。 家難齊 Kuo 2 yi 4 chih,' 3 chia 1 nan 2 ch^i. 2 HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS. 63 388 " The goodness of a house does not consist in its lofty halls, but in its excluding the weather ； the fitness of clothes does not consist in their costliness, but in their make and warmth. ； the use of food does not consist in its rarity, but in its satisfying the appetite ； the excellence of a wife consists not in her beauty, but in her virtue." 房 M 不在 高堂。 不漏便 好 Fang 2 wu 1 pu 4 tsai 4 kao 1 t"ai]g， 2 pu 4 lou 4 pien 4 ^hao 3 : 衣 服不在 綾 羅。 和 煖 f 好 i 1 fu 2 pa 4 tsai 4 ling 2 lo, 2 lo 2 nuan 3 pien 4 ^hao 3 : 举 韋不在 珍饞。 一飽便 好 yin 3 shih 2 pu 4 tsai 4 chen 1 hsiu, 1 yi 1 , pao 3 pien 4 ^hao 3 : 娶妻. 不在 顏 色。 賢德便 好 db f U 3 chH 1 pu 4 tsai 4 yen 2 se, 4 hsien 2 t^ 2 pien 4 ^hao. 3 —— ~~ r 389 ； —— Stupid wives and disobedient children no man can manage. 蠭 妻 遨子無 法可洽 Ch^un 3 cM 1 ni 4 tzu 3 wu 2 fa 3 chih. 3 ― —— 390 When a family is in a fix, out comes the cash. m 出 急家門 CMen 2 chV chi 2 chia 1 men. 2 391 Everything prospers in a united family; though events do not happen according to men s calculations. 家和萬 事興。 事不 由人算 Chia 1 'ho 2 wan 4 shih 4 hsing, 1 sbih 4 pu 4 yu 2 jen 2 suan. 4 ； ~ 392 —— ； ~~ In a united family happiness springs up of itself. 家 和福自 <1 ± Chia 1 (ho 2 fu 2 tzu 4 sl^ng. 1 - ~ 393 The family regulations of a self-complacent lazy fellow must be very much out of order. 64 DOMESTIC CONCEENS. 頹惰自 甘 家 道必索 T^ui 1 to 4 tzu 4 kan 1 chia 1 tao 4 pi 4 so. 3 ： 394 ― ~~ He gets little more time for sleep who refuses to rise with the dawn. 天 亮不起 。睡 不多踌 T^ien 1 liang 4 pu 4 cbV shui 4 pu 4 to 1 shib. 2 -"" ； ~^ 395 ― The loss of one night s sleep entails ten days of dis- comfort. —夜 不晤。 十 日不安 Yi 1 yeh 4 pu 4 mien, 2 shih 2 jih 4 pu 4 an. 1 CHAPTEE III. MASTERS AND SERVANTS. ― 39S If you don t come it's no matter to me ； But if you do， serve obediently. 你不來 我不怪 Ni 3 pu 4 lai 2 wo 3 pu 4 kuai 4 ; 你要 來受我 戒 Ni 3 yao 4 lai 2 sbou 4 wo 3 chieh. 4 397 Your wood IVe no desire to split ； My axe ― I want to shelter it. 不願柴 頭破。 只願 斧頭脱 Pu 4 yiian 4 ch^ai 2 t^ou 2 p^o 4 ； chih 3 yiian 4 fa 3 tW 2 t^o. 1 Note. 一 This is said by a servant desiring dismissal, as the preceding one is said by a master desiring to enggge a servant. ― 398 When a servant conceives it hard to stay, He becomes your foe if not sent away. 起. > & .人 難留。 留下結 寃 仇 CM 3 hsin 1 jen 2 nan 2 liu, 2 liu 2 hsia 4 chieh 2 yiian 1 ch c ou. 2 ― 399 To the man submit, At whose board you sit. 捧 他碗。 服化. 管 P^eng 3 t^a 1 wan, 3 iu 2 ? haa 4 kuan. 3 4〇〇 Had I been of you afraid, had I with you a marriage made ！ • I have with, you a marriage made, am I then of you afraid ！ 怕 你 不 嫁 你。 嫁你不 怕 你 P^a 4 ni 3 pu 4 cilia 4 ni 3 ！ cbia 4 ni 3 pu 4 ni ！ 3 Note. 一 Having engaged to serve in any way, he, or she, shrinks not from the responsibility. 66 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 401 A stick's a stick whether short or tall ； A man's a man whether great or small. 長 短是 根棍。 大 小 是個人 Chiang 2 tuan 3 shih 4 ken 1 kun 4 ; ta 4 hsiao 3 shih 4 ko 4 jen. 2 Note. 一 This is the indignant complaint of a slighted employe. 402 He who to be obliging tries, Is sure of work wherever he hies. A 要頑 得活。 處 處 用得着 Jen 2 yao 4 wan 2 te 2 ^huo, 2 chHi 4 ch^u 4 yung 4 te 2 cho. 2 4〇3 To his breast the man he wants he is ready to embrace : He ? d throw him he does not want down any danger- ous place. 要 A 抱在 懷裏 Yao 4 jen 2 pao 4 tsai 4 c huai 2 li 8 : 不 要人丢 在崖裏 Pu 4 yao 4 jen 2 tiu 1 tsai 4 ai 2 li. 3 ~~ ~ Nourish a sick but never an idle servant. 養 痔不養 閑 Yang 3 ping 4 pu 4 yang 3 hsien. 2 4〇5 Hurry men. at work, not at meat. 催工 莫催食 Ts^iii 1 kung 1 mo 4 ts^ui 1 shih. 2 40S In a family defend it ； in a country defend it. 在家 衞家。 在 國衞國 Tsai 4 chia 1 wei 4 chia 1 ； tsai 4 kuo 2 wei 4 kuo. 2 4〇7 To serve in a very attentive manner. Lit, : , To prop the head and help the feet. 抽 頭扶脚 Cl/ou 1 t^ou 2 fu 2 chiao. 3 MASTERS AND SERVANTS. 67 are 408 I can find employment elsewhere. Lit. : There temples elsewhere than on Mount Ni. 除 了尼山 別有廟 Ch T u 2 liao 3 Ni 2 shan 1 pieh 2 yu 3 miao. 4 409 Do not employ handsome servants. * 奴 僕勿用 俊秀 Nu 3 pu 2 wu 4 yung 4 chun 4 hsiu. 4 410 Where no handsome servant is kept, the family must be virtuous. 堂 中 無俊僕 。必 是好. 人家 T ? ang 2 cbung 1 wu 2 chiin 4 p r u, 2 pi 4 shih 4 Taao 3 jen 2 chia. 1 411 ― A wise man in a fool's service. Lit. : A clear pearl thrown into lacquer. 朋 珠投漆 Ming 2 chu 1 t f ou 2 cM. 1 412 Under the master's nose to idle away the time. 打照 面 過日子 Ta 3 chao 4 mien 4 kuo 4 jih 4 tzu 3 . ~~ ； —— 413 Your pay is certain whether you work or play. Lit. : Whether you stand or sit youll get three hundred 站 倒三 百兩。 坐倒 三百兩 Chan 4 tao 3 san 1 pai 3 liang, 3 tso 4 tao 3 san 1 pai 3 liang. 3 414 The dog presumes on his master's power. 狗 仗人勢 Kou 3 chang 4 jen 2 shib. 4 Note. 一 Said in reproof of saucy servants. 415 Able men are first employed. Lit. ： Straight trees are first felled, and sweet wells first drained. 68 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 直木 先伏。 甘 井先渴 Chih 2 mu 4 hsien 1 fa, 2 kan 1 ching 3 Lsien 1 k《o, 41S If one won't employ me another will. Lit. : If there be no light in the east there will be in the west 柬方不 亮 9 西方亮 Tung 1 fang 1 pu 4 Hang, 4 hsi 1 fang 1 Hang. 4 41.7 ― When the family becomes ruined the slave may despise his master. 家 敗奴欺 主 Chia 1 pai 4 nu 8 ch^i 1 Giu. 3 _ 418 ； • You have turned round in a whirlpool. 在 回流 窩褢。 打一個 轉 身的 Tsai 4 ^hui 2 liu 2 wo 1 li, 3 ta 3 yi 1 ko 4 chuan 3 sben 1 ti. 1 Note. — Said in censure of a servant whom one suspects, from his great haste, of having left his >,work undone. Under a Premier's roof are seven ranks of officials. 宰 相 門下七 p w p 官 Tsai 4 hsiang 1 men 2 hsia 4 cM 1 p^in 3 kuan. 1 一 42〇 ― If the magistrate be great, so will be his secretaries and underlings. 官大書 差大 Kuan 1 ta 4 shu 1 ch^ai 1 ta. 4 Note. 一 This and the preceding proverb a^e generally said with the intentiqii of extolling the position of servants under noted or wealtliy masters. 421 1 The fewer servants the better served. Lit, ： One man will carry two buckets of water for tiis own use ； two will carry one for their joint use ； but three will carry none for anybody's use. ― 人 挑 水 吃。 二人抬 水 吃 Yi 1 jen 2 t ? iao l sbui 3 ch^ih 1 ； erh 4 jeo' 2 t(ai 2 shui 3 cWb 1 .; 三人^ 得 汆.， 吃 san 1 jen 2 mu 2 te 2 sjiui 3 cVm. 1 MASTERS AND SERVANTS. 69 —— 4:22 No man will serve for starvation. 餓夫 不能當 差 O fu 1 pu 4 neng 2 tang 1 clfai. 1 一 423 Though the senders be ten thousand times wrong, it is not the messenger s fault. 千錯 萬錯。 來 人不錯 CKen 1 ts ? o 4 wan 4 ts^o, 4 lai 2 jen" 2 pu 4 ts c o. 4 . 424 I'll corne tliough you beat me， and though you curse me， but not if I am to lose any pay. 打 我 來.。 駡我枣 Ta 3 wo 3 lai, 2 roa 3 wo 3 lai, 2 要我^ 虧. m 不 來 yao 4 wo 3 chHh 1 ku^ei 1 chiu 4 pu 4 lai. 2 —— ― 425 Cold tea and cold rice are bearable^ but cold words and cold speeches are unendurable. 冷 茶 冷 飯吃得 Leng 3 ch^a 2 leng 3 fan 4 chW te, 2 冷言冷 語受不 得 • Leng 3 yen 2 leng 3 yii 3 shou 4 pu 4 te. 2 426 A lean dog shames his master. 狗 瘦主. 人琴 Kou 3 shou 4 chu 3 jen 2 hsiu. 1 一 ^27 The nose is bigger than the face. 鼻子 大過臉 Pi 2 tzu 3 ta 4 W lien. 3 428 A tou of rice is not a pao of rice. 斗 米不成 包 Tou 3 mi 3 pu 4 chV'ng 2 pao. 1 Note. 一 One pao contains five tou. This saving is used， for instance, by a servant, when suspected of bringing home less than he ought to do from the market. 70 DOMESTIC CONCEKNS. 429 Though the peony be beautiful, it must be supported by its green leaves. 牡 丹雖. 好。 必要 綠葉扶 持 Mu 3 tan 1 sui 1 "hao， 3 pi 4 yao 4 lu 4 yeh 4 fu 2 ch^ih. 2 ― 430 If he does not quarrel with his cook for his tea, he does for his rice. 茶 裨不尋 飯裨尋 Ch^a 2 li 3 pu 4 hsin 2 fan 4 li 3 hsin. 2 431 Whilst the workman may have xlths of his own way, the master has Aths of his. 三分 匠厶。 七 分主. 人 San 1 fen 1 chiang 4 jen ? 2 ch^i 1 fen 1 chu 3 jen. 2 432 Great trees are good to shelter under. (Patronage.) 大榭下 好戤陰 Ta 4 shu 4 hsia 4 c hao 3 hsieh 1 yin. 1 4:33 Though a. tiger may not devour men, his dreadful appearance frightens them. 老 虎不吃 人惡. 像難 看 Lao 3 4u 3 pu 4 ch^ih 1 jen 2 o 4 hsiang 4 nan 2 k ? an. 4 Note. — This proverb illustrates the awe-inspiring influence of masters and superiors generally. ~~ 434 The affairs of a thousand men are under the control of one. 千 人上路 。主事 一人 ChHen 1 jen 2 shang 4 lu, 4 chu 3 shih 4 yi 1 jen. 2 435 There is no master in the concern. Lit. : One state has three rulers. — 國 三公 Yi 1 kuo 2 san 1 kung, 1 MASTERS AKD SERVANTS. 71 43S To employ volunteers only. Lit. ： Chiang T^ai Kung angling, catches only volunteers. 姜 太 公约 魚願 者上鈎 Chiang 1 T^ai 4 Kung 1 kou 1 yii 2 yiian 4 che 2 shang 3 kou. 1 Xote.— Chiang TaiKung, or Chiang Tzu-ya (姜 子 牙), was a remarkable sage in the time of the celebrated Wen Wang 王)， who followed, in ob- ； scui'ity, his favourite pursuit of angling up to the age of eighty years. At that , age he became counsellor to the king. One often sees the following sentence pasted over the lattice windows of Chinese dwellings ： 姜 太公在 此諸神 逾 避； Chiang T f ai Rung is inside, keep off, all ye gods." Most of the gods are popularly , supposed to owe their deification to this powerful individual, to be under his control, and to stand in considerable awe of him. 437 You can treat an inferior any way you please. Lit. : Meat on a block can be chopped any way you like. 蒸板上 一塊. 肉 Cheng 1 pan 3 shang 4 yi 1 k^uai 4 jou， 4 II 你^ 撗 砍寧砍 sui 2 ni 3 ? heng 4 k c an 3 chih 2 k^an. 3 438 Though. I dismiss one butcliei、， think you I shall be forced to eat undressed pork ？ 舍了 屠戶。 難 道建毛 吃猪 She 3 Iiao 3 t c u 2 %i， 4 nan 2 tao 4 lien 2 mao 2 e^ih 1 chu. 1 439 The master controls his slave as easily as one can feel '： the stocking in one's boot. 主子管 奴才。 靴子裏 摸襪子 Chu 3 tzu 3 kuan 3 nu 3 ts'ai) 2 hsueh 1 tzu 3 li 3 mo 1 wa 4 tzu. 3 440 If you suspect a man don't employ him ； if you em- ploy him don't suspect him. ^ A 莫用人 。用人 莫疑人 I 2 jen 2 mo 4 yuDg 4 jen' 2 ； yung 4 jen 2 mo 4 i J jen. 2 C H A P T E E I V . NEIGHBOURS. 441 When relations and neighbours continue sincere, Then relations and neighbours have nothing to fear. 親願親 好。 鄰 愿 鄰 好 Ch r m l yiian 4 ch^in 1 hao, 3 lin 2 yiian 4 lin 2 hao. 3 7 442 Examine the neighbourhood before you choose your dwelling. 徧 處兒擇 地方住 Pien 4 ch^u 4 erb 2 tse 2 ti 4 fang 1 cbu. 4 —— ^ 443 Dwell in harmony with all your neighbours. 居街坊 接鄰里 Chii 1 chieh 1 fang 1 chieh 1 lin 2 li. 3 Mencius' mother selected her neighbourhood. 昔. 孟母撣 ，處 Hsi 2 Meng 4 mu 3 tse 2 lin 2 ch^u. 3 445 A good bird selects its tree. 茛 禽擇 木而棲 Liang 2 ch^in 2 tse 2 mu 4 erh 2 cVi 1 , 446 Distant water will not quench a fire near ； distant re - • lations are not so good as near neighbours. 遠 水 難 救近火 Yiian 3 shui 3 nan 2 chiu 4 chin 4 ^huo 3 ； 遠親 不如近 n yiian 3 ch^in 1 pu 4 ju 2 chin 4 lin. 2 Note. 一 ' ' Better is a neighbour tliat is near than a brother far off." Prov. xxvii : 10. NEIGHBOURS. 73 ― 447 Three years after a family has been divided, its mem- bers become as neighbours. 分 家三年 成鄰舍 Fen 1 chia 1 san 1 nien 2 ch^eng 2 lin 2 she. 4 ― 4=4=3 The bird chooses its tree, not the tree the bird. 皐 則 擇木。 木鸯 能擇鳥 Niao 3 tse 2 tse 2 画， 4 mu 4 ch^i 3 neng 2 tse 2 niao. 3 44:9 Would you discover the real truth about a person, enquire only of his neighbours. 察實莫 過鄰里 , ChV shih 2 mo 4 kuo 4 lin 2 li. 3 ― 45〇 On a journey yon must have good company ； at home you must have good neighbours. n 要好俘 。住 要好鄰 Using 2 yao 4 hao 3 pan 4 ； chu 4 yao 4 hao 3 lin. 2 451 Better good neighbours near, than relations far away. 得 好鄉 鄆勝遠 释 Te 2 hao 3 hsiang 1 lin 2 sheng 4 yiian 3 cWn. 1 —— ~~ 452 The emperor has no waste lands : and there are vir- tuous men among your neighbours. 朝廷無 空地。 鄰舍 有賢人 Ch^ao 2 t^in 2 wa 2 l^ung 1 ti 4 ； lin 2 she 4 yu 3 hsieir jen. 2 453 Near neighbours are not equal to next-door neigh- bours, and they are not equal to neighbours across the road. 近 粼不 如隔壁 Chin 4 lin 2 pu 4 ju 2 ko 2 pi, 3 陽壁不 如對門 ko 2 pi 3 pu 4 ju 2 tni 4 men. 2 74 DOMESTIC CONCERNS. 454 Near neighbours. Lit. : If we have not flowers and trees in common, we have the garden in common. 不 同花樹 f 同花圜 Pu 4 t^ung 2 ? hua x shu 4 t^ung 2 ^hua 1 yiian. 2 455 Fields are divided from each other ； but dwellings are joined together. 田土 相界。 屋 宇相連 T^ien 2 t ? u 3 hsiang 1 chieh 4 ； wu 1 yii 3 hsiang 1 lien. 2 45S Possessed of a neighbour's knowledge. Lit. ; I know all about the place's customs, soil, and men. 風 ± 人情 我盡^ Feng 1 t ? u 3 jen 2 ch^ing 2 wo 3 chin 4 chih. 1 SECTION V — ON EDUCATION, CHAPTER I. EDUCATION GENERALLY. 457 Wives' and children's education, Won't admit procrastination. 訓子 嬰孩。 敎婦 ii 來 Hsun 4 tzu 3 ying 1 c hai 2 , chiao 4 fu 4 chV lai. 2 ~ 458 Than a lad without learning, you'd better rear an ass : Better rear a pig than an uneducated lass. 養 子 不敎 如養驢 Yang 3 tzu 3 pa 4 chiao 4 ju 2 yang 3 lii 2 : 養 女不敎 沖養猪 Yang 3 nii 2 pu 4 cbiao 4 ja 2 yang 3 chu. 1 4：59 Fields left untilled ― your granaries will all empty be: Books left unread ~ you'll have a stupid progeny. 有 田不耕 倉廩虛 Yu 3 t^ien 2 pu 4 keng 1 ts^ng 1 lin 3 hsii 1 : 有 書不讀 子孫愚 Yu 3 shu 1 pu 4 tu 2 tzu 3 sun 1 yii. 2 460 As the twig is bent the mulberry grows. 桑. 條從 小 ，揉 Sang 1 t T iao 2 ts^ung 2 bsiao 3 jou. 2 461 Those who reject iron cannot make steel. 恨 鐵不成 鋼 ^Hen 4 t ? ieh 2 pu 4 ch c eng 2 kang. 1 Note. 一 The meaning of this is, that those who despise the effort to educate will not have educated children. 76 EDUCATION. Instruction penetrates the hearts of the good, but blows past the ears of the bad. 善. 人 聽説心 中刺 Shan 4 jen 2 t^ing 1 shuo 1 hsin 1 chung 1 tz^u, 4 惡 A 聽說 耳邊風 o 4 jen 2 t^ing 1 shuo 1 erh 3 pien 1 feng. 1 463 Education requires a proper method. 敎 子要有 義方. Chiao 4 tzu 3 yao 4 yu 3 i 4 fang. 1 Nothing can be done without instruction. 天下 之事非 教無成 T^ien 1 hsia 4 chih 1 shih 4 fei 1 chiao 4 wu 2 ch^eng. 2 5 好命 不好。 天埤 終須保 Hsin 1 hao 3 ming 4 pu 4 hao， 3 t^ien 1 ti 4 chung 1 hsii 1 pao. 3 ，好心 不好。 中 途夭折 了 Ming 4 hao 3 hsin 1 pu 4 hao, 3 chung 1 t^u 2 yao 1 che 2 liao. 3 >5 命' 俱不好 。貧 賤受煩 惱 Hsin 1 ming 4 chii 4 pu 4 hao, 3 p(in 3 chien 4 shou 4 fan 2 nao. 3 Note. 一 "The gods," lit: a heaven and earth." u He will fall" &c : the meaning is that lie will be cut off in the midst of his days and so be unable to enjoy bis good fortune. ― 661 Unjust gains cannot enrich those who are fated to be poor. 撗財 不富命 窮人 ? Heng 4 ts^ai 2 pu 4 fu 4 ming 4 ch^iung 2 jen. 2 6S2 Disease may be cured, not fate. 112 FORTUNE. 臀 得病。 謦不得 命 I 1 te 2 ping, 4 i 1 pu 4 te 2 ming, 4 663 Beautiful women are very ill-fated, f 紅 顏女 子多鎗 命 Hung 2 yen 2 nii 2 tzu 3 to 1 po 2 ming. 4 6S4 No distance can sever those whom fate unites ； no nearness can join those whom fate severs. 有緣千 里能. 相 會 Yu 3 yiian 2 ch^ien 1 li 3 neng 2 hsiangl ? hui 4 ； 無緣對 面不. 相逢 wu 2 yiian 2 tui 4 mien 4 pu 4 hsiang 1 feng. 2 665 Happiness has its foundation, and misery its womb. 覼生 有墓。 禍生有 崤 Fu 2 sheng 1 yu 3 chi, 1 ^huo 4 sheng 1 yu 3 t^ai. 1 666 If a man's fate is to have only eigth-tenths of a pint of rice, though he traverse the country over, he cannot get a full pint. 命 裡只有 八合米 Ming 4 li 3 chih 3 yu 3 pa 1 ，ho 2 mi, 3 走盡 天 下不满 升 tsou 3 chin 4 t^ien 1 hsia 4 pu 4 man 3 sheng. 1 667 Every event is settled beforehand ； so it is vain to fret over this transitory life. 世事皆 先定。 浮 生空自 忙 Shih 4 shih 4 chieh 1 hsien 1 ting 4 ； foil 2 sheng 1 k^ung 1 tzu 4 mang. 2 ― 6S8 Everything is fated ； and nothing depends on man. 禽般眢 由命。 半 點不由 A Wan 4 pan 1 chieh 1 yu 2 ming 4 5 pan 4 tien 3 pu 4 yu 2 jen. 2 FATE. 113 669 On a road dangers may be met with which, can hardly be escaped : and affairs will happen beyond our own control. 路逢暌 處難廼 p Lu 4 feng 2 hsien 3 cb^ii 4 nan 2 ^hui 2 pi 4 : 事到頌 來不自 由 ' shih 4 tao 4 t^ou 2 lai 2 pu 4 tzu 4 yu. 2 670 Nothing follows man's own calculations ； his whole life is arranged by fate. 萬 事不由 人 ff 較 Wan 4 shih 4 pu 4 yu 2 jen 2 chi 4 cbiao 4 ； —生 都是 命安排 yi 1 sheng 1 tu 1 shih 4 ming 4 an 1 p^ai. 2 ~ - —— 671 ― Our destiny is fixed, without the slightest reference to onr own will. 大 家都是 命。 半 點 不由人 Ta 4 chia 1 tu 1 shih 4 ming, 4 pan 4 tien 3 pa 4 yu 2 jen. 2 —— —— 672 His heart is loftier than his destiny. 心高 命不高 Hsin 1 kao 1 ming 4 pu 4 kao. 1 673 Plant flowers with care, and they may never grow : stick willows in carelessly, and they may yield a pleasant shade. 有 意栽花 花不發 Yu 3 i 4 tsai 1 ^hua 1 ^hua 1 pu^ fa, 1 無 心 插 柳 柳 成 陰 wu 2 hsin 1 ch^a 1 liu 3 liu 3 ch^eng 2 yiu. 1 674 The more I study, the more I miss tlie mark : what have I to do with fate ？ The more I miss the mark^ the more I study : what has fate to do with me ？ 114 FORTUNE. 越讀越 不中。 我其 如命何 Yueh 4 tu 2 yueh 4 pu 4 chung 4 ; wo 3 cM 2 ju 2 ming 4 《iio 2 ? 越不中 越 要氣命 其 如我何 Yueh 4 pa 4 chung 4 yueh 4 yao 4 tu 2 : ming 4 chH 2 ju 2 wo 3 ^ho 2 ？ Note. ― This saying of the ancients 一 in flat contradiction of many of the preceding proverbs ― means "that the decree of fate does not violate the liberty of the human will, or impose a necessity, on man to act either in one way or in another. " Milne. Sacred Edict, 2nd edition, page 125. 675 ： ' Men are good or bad according to their conduct ； and their misery or happiness depends on themselves. 善 惡隨人 作。 禍 福 自 已 招 Shan 4 4 sui 2 jen 2 tso 4 ； ? huo 4 fa 2 tzu 4 chi 3 chao. 1 Note. 一 This proverb, as well as the preceding one, shows that the Chinese are not, at all events, consistent necessitarians. 67S The man can, but his fate cannot. 人能 命不能 Jen 2 n6ng 2 ming 4 pu 4 neng. 2 6 77 Fate. Lit. : The abacus in the temple of the city-god. 城隍寧 的算盤 Ch^eng 2 ^huang 2 miao 4 ti 1 suan 4 p r an. 2 678 "If it be my wealth it wont go ； if lie be my son he won't die." 係 我財 不去。 係我 子不死 Hsi 4 wo 3 ts^ai 2 pu 4 ch^ii 4 ； hsi 4 wo 3 tzu 3 pu 4 szu. 3 Note. 一 It is said of Fan Wen Cheng Kung 范文 正公， that he did not believe in devils. One came to him and questioned him ； but still he refused to believe. So this devil said he would kill his first-born son. " Well he might do." After he had done so, as he thought, he came again to see if the gentleman believed ； but still he did not. So the devil killed a second youth. Still no change appeared in the philosopher's incredulity, and he threatened to kill a third. The devil, however, now grew nervous, and did not or could not kill that one, who was the real son. Hence the saying " if he be my son he will not die." 679 One's every glass of wine and every slice of meat, are predestined. 坏' 準 塊.. 肉 皆前荦 Pei 1 chiu 3 k^uai 4 jou 4 chieh 1 ch^ien 2 ting. 4 FATE. 115 680 Wife, wealth., children, pay, are all predestined. 妻 財 子 祿皆 前定 Ch^i 1 ts^ai 2 tzu 3 lu 4 chieh 1 cMen 2 ting. 4 ― 681 Virtuous children and official emolument who does not desire ？ Alas ！ these are not the theme of your luckless horoscope. 誰人不 愛子孫 賢 Shui 2 jen 2 pu 4 ai 4 tzu 3 sun 1 hsien 2 % 誰人 不愛千 鍾粟 Shui 2 jen 2 pu 4 ai 4 ch^ien 1 chung 1 su 2 1 奈五 行不晕 這 般題目 nai 4 wu 3 hsing 2 pu 4 shih 4 che* pan 1 tH 2 mu. 4 Note. 一 "Official emolument ； ,, Lit : " 1000 chung of grain." One chung is equal to four tou 3 or pecks. —— 682 Don't say that Wen- Wangs diagrams are powerless, bat fear lest the fortune teller has told them wrong. 莫道^ ；王卦 不靈 Mo 4 tao 4 Wen 2 Wang 2 kua 4 pu 4 ling, 2 只 怕先生 斷不舄 chih 3 p V hsien 1 sheng 1 tuan 4 pu 4 chen. 1 G H A P T E E II. LUCK. 683 He hoards to-day, lie hoards to-morrow (！ )， does no- thing else but hoard ； At length he has enough a new umbrella to afford; When all at once he is assailed, a wind arises quick ； ― And both his hands grasp nothing but a bare um- brella stick. 今 天攢。 w 明 天 攢 Chin 1 t^ien 1 ts^uan 2 ； ming 2 t^ien 1 ts^uan 2 ； 攢 來攢去 。買： r — 把傘 Ts^uan 2 lai 2 ts^uan 2 ch^ii 4 ； mai 3 liao 3 yi 1 pa 3 san. 3 忽 .然 一陣& 風^ { K\i l jan 2 yi 1 chen 4 k^uang 2 feng 1 ch^i 3 ； ― P 手抱住 光竹桿 , Liang 3 shou 3 pao 4 cbu 4 kuang 1 chu 2 kan. 2 684 If luck be low, To Kiangsi go. 踌遝低 。走 江 西 Sbih 4 yun 4 ti/ tsou 4 Chiang 1 Hsi. 1 685 ― A lucky horoscope doth for a whole life prepare ； And if it be not lucky what use is fervent prayer ？ 命 裨 有 峙 終 須 有 Ming 4 li 3 yu 3 shih 2 chung 1 bsii 1 yu 3 ; 命裡無 將奠苦 难 Ming 4 li 3 wu 2 shih 2 mo 4 kV ch^iu. 2 686 The sturdiest army may be laid low : The axe may sever the sturdiest bough. 兵 强 則 滅。 木 强 則 iff Ping 1 ch^iang 2 tse 2 mieh 4 ； mu 4 ch^iang 2 tse 2 che. 2 LUCK. 117 687 If a man's in luck lie always finds, Where'er he goes to, favouring winds. 人在 特中。 行 船 遇順風 Jen 2 tsai 4 shih 2 chung, 1 hsing 2 ch^uan 2 yii 4 shun 4 feng. 1 6S8 In the morning only some farmhouse pride ； At night he stands by the Emperor's side. 朝爲田 舍郞。 暮登 天子堂 Chao 1 wei 1 t^ien 2 she 4 lang 2 ； ma 4 teng 1 t^ien 1 tzu 3 t^ang. 2 689 A lucky man is stout and fair ； And men lend him twice as much, as lie wants. A luckless man is burnt and spare ； And lie asks for a loan Avhich no one grants. A 在 聘— 中 又 胖又与 Jen 2 tsai 4 shih^ chung 1 yu 4 p^ang 4 yu 4 pai 2 ; 借 錢五十 答應一 W Chieh 4 ch^ien 2 wu 3 shih 2 ta 1 ying 4 yi 1 pai. 3 人不 在特又 瘦又黑 Jen 2 pu 4 tsai 4 shih 2 yu 4 shou 4 yu 4 ^he 1 ； 借錢 五十答 應沒得 Chieh 4 ch r ien 2 wu 3 shih 2 ta 1 ying 4 mu 2 te. 2 —— ~~ 690 Peaches blossom in the second month. ； Chrysantlieniunis in the ninth are out ； Each must wait till its time comes about. 祧花二 月開。 菊花 九月鬩 T^ao 2 ，！ ma 1 erh 4 yueh 4 k^ai 1 ； chii 2 ^hua 1 chiu 3 yueh 4 k^ai 1 ; 各自等 fl# 來 Ko 4 tzu 4 teng 3 shih 2 lai. 2 691 ： Some like thunder rise in haste : Some like ashes fall to waste. ― 發 如 雷。 一敗 如灰 Yi 1 fa 1 ju 2 lei 2 ； yi 1 pai 4 ju 2 ^ui. 1 118 FORTUNE. 692 ~ What the actors cannot do. Gods and fairies carry through. 戯 不穀。 神 仙 m Hsi 4 pu 4 kou, 4 shen 2 Lsien 1 ts^ou. 4 Note. 一 Said of any in straights who happen to meet with opportune help. 693 In the halls of magistrates long bodied men sit ； Through, the streets in a hurry long legged men flit. 上身長 坐官堂 Shang 4 shen 1 ch^ang 2 tso 4 kuan 1 t^ang 2 ； 下身 長走忙 忙 Hsia 4 shen 1 ch^ang 2 tsou 4 mang 2 mang. 2 Note. 一 This is said to be a saying of physiognomical fortune-tellers. 694 It you rattle your chopsticks and bason, You will be poor to the last generation. 敲 碗 敲 m 9 窮死萬 巧 Ctfiao 1 wan 3 ch^iao 1 k r uai, 4 chMung 2 ssu 3 wan 4 tai. 4 695 Quiver my eyelids, my heart throbs in my breast ； Neither sitting nor sleeping can I find rest. 眼 跳 心 驁。 坐 臥 不寧 Yen 3 t^iao 4 hsin 1 ching 1 ； tso 4 wo 4 pu 4 ning. 2 Note. 一 The state of affairs, supposed in this and the preceding proverb, is understood to be ominous of ill luck. 69S Don't boast of good fortune. Lit. : Dont let yourself say too much, about the fineness of Spring; but have a fear of westerly winds and the recurrence of cold. 人情 莫道春 ^光 ， Jen 2 ch^ing 2 mo 4 tao 4 chW kuang 1 bao 3 ; 只 怕西風 有冷踌 chih 3 hsi 1 feng 1 yu 3 leng 8 shih. 2 697 He goes out empty-handed ； he returns a wealthy man. 空手出 H 。抱 財歸家 K^ung 1 shou 3 chV men 2 ; pao 4 ts!ai 2 kuei 1 chia. 1 LUCK. 119 ― 698 One family builds a wall, and two families get the benefit of it. —家 打牆 兩 家方便 Yi 1 chia 1 ta 3 ch^iang, 2 liang 3 chia 1 fang 1 pien. 4 699 Having good luck he need only wound his purse ； having it not he must himself be wounded. 有 福 傷 財。 無福傷 & Yu 3 fa 2 shang 1 ts^ai 2 ； wu 2 fu 2 shang 1 chi. 3 Note* ― The case here supposed is that of a man who has broken the law : if he can pay a fine he may escape corporeal punishment. 7〇〇 The poorer one is the more devils one meets. 越 窮越 見鬼， Yaeh 4 ch^iung 2 yueh 4 chien 4 kuei. 3 ― —— 701 If luck comes, who comes not ？ If luck comes not, who comes ？ 特來誰 不东。 將不 东誰來 Shih 2 lai 2 shui 3 pu 4 lai 2 ? shih 2 pu 4 lai 2 shui 3 lai 2 ? 7〇2 ― Good luck certain sometime. Lit. : A day must come for thrashing out the grain. 稻 塲 打 毂終 有一， 日 Tao 4 ch^ang 2 ta 3 ku 3 chung 1 yu 3 yi 1 - jih. 4 一 7〇3 A scabbed-liead following the moon enjoys extra light. 癥寧 跟着月 亮走。 沾光 沾 光 La 1 li 2 ken 1 cho 1 yueh 4 liang 4 tsou, 4 cban 1 kuang 1 chan 1 kuang. 1 Note. 一 La-li, 一 two words not found in Kanghi, but common enough — signify one whose head is not only bald but covered with glistening and offensive scars. La-li are very numerous, and they are very commonly made the butts of ridicule. When one is near, a bystander will exclaim 好 大 亮 f hao ta liang y " what a great light ！ ，， to the amusement of all around. They are also nicknamed 毛 希 Jnao hsi or "scarce-hair," 菊 董 f hu lu or pumpkin, &c. In this proverb also which expresses the good luck any one enjoys in following another, a shaft of ridicule is aimed at the unfortunate La-li. 120 FOETUNE. 7〇4 When a dwarf ascends a staircase, he luckly gets higher every step. ^ 子扒樓 辦。一 步高 一 步 Ai 3 tzu 3 pa 】ou 2 t 汀， 1 yi 1 pu 4 kao 1 yi 1 pu. 4 7〇5 A dwarf cannot kick up his feet to any very great height. 矮子打 二起。 純髙也 總不髙 Ai 3 tzu 3 ta 3 erh 4 chH 3 , shun 2 kao 1 yeh 3 tsung 3 pu 4 kao. 1 Note. 一 This cynical proverb formed an apt illustration in the fate of the Han- kow dwarf who visited Europe some time ago with Chang the giant. The dwarf is said to have returned to Hankow witli 300 taels in his pocket. That seemed like kicking to a great height. Before long, however, the friends of the unlucky wight managed to filch out all his mone^ from him : so the proverb came true 一 he did not kick very high after all. 706 To enjoy good luck. Lit: To hoist the sail before a fair wind. 扯 起篷來 走順風 Ctfe 3 ch4 3 p^eng 2 lai 2 tsou 4 shun 4 feng, 1 —— 7〇7 ― Who fears that your pen will pierce the sky ？ 那 怕 你 一琴 抒破天 Na 3 p(a 4 ni 3 yi" pi 3 hsii 3 p f o 4 t^ien. 1 - 708 Sudden return of luck. Lit,: The swept area pro- duces a large melon. 掃 塲結 大瓜 Sao 3 ch f ang 2 chieh 2 ta 4 kaa. 1 709 • Unluckily born. Lit, : You liave slept in the wrong cradle, and issued from the wrong womb. 睡 錯搖篛 。脫 錯了胎 Shui 4 ts^o 4 yao 2 lo， 2 t^o 1 ts^o 4 liao 3 t^ai. 1 LUCK. 121 71〇 Out of luck, gold becomes iron ； in luck iron resem- bles gold. 運去金 成 鐡。 時來 鐡似金 Yun 4 ch^ii 4 chin 1 ch^eng 2 t^ieh 3 ； shih 2 lai 2 tMeh 3 ssu 4 chin. 1 711 Even the Yellow Eiver has its clear days ； how can man be altogether without luck ？ 黃 。 河 尙有澄 堉 B (Huang 2 ^ho 2 shang 4 yu 3 teng 4 ebbing 1 jih 4 ; 豈有人 無得運 fl, ch(i 3 yu 3 jen 2 tvu 2 te 2 yiin 4 shih 2 ？ Note. 一 Its clear days happen once or twice in a millenium. Encouraging ！ 712 Tlie poor may have no wise friend to succour them ； but the sick generall)' have some noble friend to tell them of a remeclv. 貧^ 達 fc 士持金 贈 Fin 3 wu 2 ta 2 shih 1 cb^ib 2 chin 1 tseng 4 ； 病 有高人 說藥方 ping 4 yu 3 kao 1 jen 2 shuo 1 yao 4 fang. 1 713 The leaky house must encounter a succession of rainy nights ； and the sailing ship must beat against unfavourable winds. 單漏更 遭建夜 雨 T\ u 1 lou 4 keng 1 tsao 1 lien 2 veh 4 yii 3 ; n 船 却被 打頭風 hsing 2 ch^uan 2 cl^deh 4 pei 4 ta 8 tW 2 feng. 1 714 Under each man s name is his own fortune. 各. 人 ^ 下一 重 天 Ko 4 jen 2 ming 2 hsia 4 yi 1 ch^aiig 2 t^ien. 1 *715 Sour, sweet, bitter, pungent, all must be tasted. 酸 掰苦辣 都嘗過 Suan 1 t ? ien 2 k ? u 3 la 4 tu 1 ch^ang 2 kuo. 4 122 FORTUNE. 716 " The fortunes of men are as uncertain as the winds and clouds of Heaven." 天有不 測 風 雲' T^ien 1 yu 3 pu 4 ts^e 4 fengi yiin 2 ; /V 有旦夕 禍福 jen 2 yu 3 tan 4 hsi 1 《huo 4 fu. 2 ― 717 Good swimmers are sometimes drowned ； and good riders are sometimes thrown. 善游 者溺。 善 麟者墮 Shan 4 ya 2 che 2 ni 4 ； shan 4 cM 2 che 2 to. 4 718 The lucky man meets a friend ； the unlucky man a fair lady. 峙來逢 好犮。 運去 遇佳人 Shih 2 lai 2 feng 2 hao 3 yu 3 ; yun 4 cWii 4 yii 4 cbia 1 jen. 2 719 When the floating clouds are dispersed we see a clear sky. 撥 藺. 浮雲 見靑天 Po 1 k^ai 1 fou 2 yiin 2 chien 4 ch^ing 4 tHen. 1 720 His horoscope is lucky. Lit. : The two stems don't disagree. 兩 千不雜 Liang 8 kan 1 pu 4 tsa. 2 721 It is an unlucky sign when the eyelids quiver. 眼 睛 跳晦氣 到 Yen 3 ching 1 t^iao 4 《hui 4 chV tao. 4 722 A horse may have strength to run a thousand miles, but without a rider it knows not where to go : a man may have the ambition to scale the clouds, but without luck he cannot get on. LUCK. 123 馬有 千里之 能 Ma 3 yu 3 cMen 1 li 3 chih 1 neDg, 2 非人不 能自往 fei 1 jen 2 pu 4 neng 2 tzu 4 wang 3 : 人 有凌雲 之 志 jen 2 yu 3 ling 2 yiin 2 chih 1 chih, 4 非蓮 不能亨 通 fei 1 yiin 4 pu 4 neng 2 hsiang 3 t^ung. 1 723 A raging wind only strikes those who are in it. & 風單打 下風人 K^aang 2 feng 1 tan 1 ta 3 hsia 4 feng 1 jei]. 2 724 Time will come when luck will change, when Heaven will send down wealth and honour. 有 遭一. 日踌蓮 轉 Yu 3 tsao 1 yi 1 jib 4 shih 2 yiin 4 chuan, 3 富 貴榮華 天降來 fu 4 kuei 4 jxmg 2 (ima 2 Wen 1 chiang 4 lai. 2 725 A poor fellow in luck's way. Lit. : A ragged sail in a fair wind. 破帆 遇順風 Po 4 fan 1 yu 4 shiin 4 feng. 1 726 Kan Lo enjoyed the favour of the state of ChHn at the age of twelve ； whilst T^ai Kung waited till lie was eighty for the emoluments of Tsou. 甘 羅十二 受秦恩 Kan 1 Lo 2 shih 2 erh 4 shou 2 Ch f in 2 en 1 ； 太 公八十 食周祿 T!ai 4 Kung 1 pa 1 shih 2 shih 2 Chou 1 lu. 4 Note. 一 The former of tnese worthies is said to have been made Prime minister at the early age of twelve ； while the latter, the fomous Chiang T f ai Kung (姜 太 公)， 編 not reach that honour till he was an old man. All luck ！ 124 FORTUNE. 727 To kill two birds with one stone. —舉 兩得 or — 舉兩 便 Yi 1 chu 3 Hang 3 te. 2 Yi 1 chu 3 Hang 3 piea 4 728 To shoot two arrows at once. '—弓 搭兩箭 Yi 1 kung 1 ta 2 Hang 3 chien. 4 *729 A pearl wrapped up in straw. 稻韋 包珍珠 Tao 4 ts^ao 3 pao 1 chen 1 chu. 1 Note. 一 Said of able or learned persons whose ill luck it is to live unnoticed and uuknown. 73〇 A chance day is better than a chosen one. 選日 不如嫿 日 Hsiian 3 jih 4 pu 4 ju 2 chuang 4 jih. 4 731 Chance luck. Lit, ; A blind cock chancing on grain. 瞎雞公 撞米頭 Hsia 2 chi 1 kung 1 chuang 4 mi 3 t^ou. 2 732 An auspicious plant growing up before one，s private, apartments, may prove to be a good omen one had better be without. 庭前 生瑞草 。好事 不如無 T'ing 2 ch'ien 2 sheng 1 shiu 4 ts f ao 3 ， 4 hao 3 shih 4 pu 4 ju 2 wu. 2 Note. 一 A somewhat interesting legend is told in connection with this proverb and in explanation of it, to the following effect. In former times a young mer- chant, a few months after his marriage, and just after his wife had communicated to him the fact that she was enceinte, was obliged to leave home on business likely to detain him for an indefinitely long time. Before taking his leave he deposited with her the half of a ring he had been in the habit of wearing, thinking that it might serve to facilitate recognition should the time of his absence prove very long, or anything untimely befall hirp. He went away and never returned. Whilst staying at an inn in a certain town, with a large sum of money in his pos- session, he was poisoned and robbed. But, before death transpired, he took an antidote whicli he had liad the precaution always to carry about with him. This antidote did not save his life, but it preserved his body from decay. The mur- LUCK. 125 derer secretly buried him in the courtyard of his house, and the dark deed was not discovered. The neighbours, however, marvelled much to see how suddenly the innkeeper's family had grown rich. And the wonderment did not end there, for, soon it became noised abroad tliat in the courtyard of this inn a prodigy might be daily witnessed in the shape of a beautiful flowering plant, which sprang up in the morning and faded at night. Crowds came to see the wondrous plant, and from them the lucky inn-keeper drew a considerable revenue. This had been going on for a long time when the merchant's son, now grown up into a young man, in searching for his father came to the very town in which this prodigy was taking place. He visited the courtyard of the inn ； and his curiosity led hira to touch the marvellous plant, whereupon it instantly decayed. The inn-keeper, seeing that his hopes of gain were destroyed, in a rage took the young man before the magistrate. The magistrate determined if possible to un- ravel the double mystery by digging for the root of the plant. That led to the discovery of a corpse in perfect preservation, whose features resembled closely those of the youth, and of the half of a ring corresponding to that' which he pro- duced ； it also led to the discovery of the murder, the punishment of the culprit, and overthrow of his family. And so it came true that the auspicious plant was unlucky after all. CHAPTER ] OPPORTUNITY. 733 —— It ought to be settled, ~~ you settle it not ； In consequence trouble will fall to your lot. 當 斷不斷 。反 受其難 Tang 1 tuan 4 pu 4 tan 4 ； fan 3 shou 4 cM 2 nan. 3 734 ： Until times favour you, no luck can you enjoy : And should you try to, sail, head winds will you annoy. 峙不至 來蓮不 通 Shih 2 pu 4 chih 4 lai 2 yun 4 pu 4 t^ung 1 : 行 船又遇 擋頭風 Using 2 ch^uan 2 yu 4 yii 4 tang 3 t ? ou 2 feng. 1 735 Since the wind blows your fire, • No need yourself to tire. 因 風 吹火。 用 力不多 Yin 1 feng 1 ch^ui 1 ? huo ? 3 yung 4 li 4 pu 4 to. 1 73S Those near a mandarin get honour ； those near a kitchen food. 近宫 得貴。 近厨 得食- Chin 4 kuan 1 te 2 kuei 4 ； chin 4 ch f u 2 te 2 shih. 2 737 ~~ ； ~~ He who neglects a good opportunity, must not after- wards complain. 當取不 顼。 過後莫 f 毎 Tang 1 ch^u 3 pu 4 ch^u, 3 kuo 4 hou 4 mo 4 ^hui. 3 738 When your horse is on the brink of a precipice it is too late to pull the reins ； when calamity is upon you repentance is too late. 馬 到臨崖 收韁晚 Ma 3 tao 4 lin 2 ai^ shou 1 chiang 1 wan 3 ; 禍至 頭來 f 毎 不 及 ^huo 4 chih 4 t^ou 2 lai 2 ^hui 3 pu 4 chi. 2 OPPOETUNITY. 127 ― 739 Opportunity must sometime visit the meanest. Lit. : There comes a day when the bits of reed in a ditch turn over. 陽 搆裡篾 片 也有翻 身. 日 Yaog 2 kou 1 li 3 mieh 4 p^ien 4 yeh 3 yu 3 fan 1 shen 1 jih. 4 ― 74〇 Pass no day idly, youth does not return. 白. 旦寞 閑過。 靑 春 不再來 Pai 1 jih 4 mo 4 hsien 2 kuo, 4 ch^ing 1 ch^an 1 pu 4 tsai 4 lai. 2 741 A hero without the opportunity of displaying his bravery. 莩 雄無用 武之處 Ying 1 hsiang 2 wu 2 yung 4 wu 3 chih 1 ch^u. 4 742 ~ ； —— Enjoying good opportunities. Lit. : A water-side tower first catches the moon : trees and flowers in the sun earliest meet the spring. 近 水 樓 臺先得 月 Chin 4 shui 3 lou 2 t^ai 2 hsien 1 te 2 yueh 4 : .向 陽花 木早逢 春 hsiang 4 yang 2 ！ hua 1 mu 4 tsao 3 feng 2 ch^un. 1 7,3 ― Neglected youth brings miserable age. 少 壯 不努 力。^ 夭徒傷 悲 Shao 3 chuang 4 pu 4 lu 3 li, 4 lao 3 ta 4 t^u 2 shang 1 pei. 1 A year s opportunities depend on Spring ； a days on the dawn; a family's on harmony ； and a life's on industry. —年 之計 在淤春 Yi 1 nien 2 chih 1 chi 4 tsai 4 yti 1 ch\m l ； 一 日之計 在淤寅 yi 1 jih 4 chih 1 chi 4 tsai 4 yii 1 yin 2 ； —家 之計 在淤和 yi 1 chia 1 chih 1 chi 4 tsai 4 yii 1 《ho 2 ； 一 生之計 在於勸 yi 1 shecg 1 chih 1 chi 4 tsai 4 yu 1 ch%. 2 128 FOETUNE. ― 745 ― If you have but a green willow yon can tie your horse thereto : there are roads from everywhere to the capital. 但 有綠楊 堪繫 馬 Tan 4 yu 3 lu 4 yang 2 k^an 1 chi 4 ma 3 : 處處 有路透 長安 Ch^u 4 ch^u 4 yu 3 lu 4 tW Chang^-An. 1 Note. —— Chang_an、 the capital of China during the Ts，in, Han, Suij and T f ang dynasties : the old name of Si-ngan-fu, Every higK road leads to Peking. 條條夭 路通牝 京 T^iao 2 t^iao 2 ta 4 lu 4 t^ung 1 Pei^ching. 1 747 When a vessel is in the middle of a river it is too late to stop the leak. m 到 江 心 襦漏導 Ch c uan 2 tao 4 chiang 1 hsin 1 pu 3 lou 4 chHh. 2 748 A fair wind fans the flame ； the boat glides with the m 吹火。 下水行 ^ 9 Shun 4 feng 1 ch^ui 1 ^huo 3 ； hsia 4 shui 3 hsing 2 ch^uan. 2 ― 749 If you do not kill a man outright lie will live to be your enemy. 殺人不 死反爲 ft 。 Sha 1 jen 2 pu 4 ssu 3 fan 3 wei 2 ch^ou. 2 75〇 He borrows the wind to cross the river. 借風過 河 Chieh 4 feng 1 kuo 4 ? ho. 2 751 To light a fire in a hot stove. 熱灶 褪着把 火 Je 4 tsao 4 li 3 cho 2 pa 3 ? huo. 3 OPPORTUNITY. 129 752 Strike while the iron's hot. 打 鐡趕熱 Ta 3 rteh 3 kan 2 je. 4 753 - Wlien you see an opportunity, act. 見 幾而作 Chien 4 chi 3 erh 2 tso. 4 754= Meet an honourable man and youll be satisfied with, food; meet a premier and youll be clothed in court dress. . 遇貴人 吃飽飯 Yu 4 kuei 4 jen 2 ch^ih 1 pao 3 fan 4 : 遇宰相 穿朝衣 yii 4 tsai 4 hsiang 4 ch^aan 1 ch(ao 2 L 1 ； 755 ― When the melon is ripe it will drop of itself. 瓜 熟自落 Kua 1 shu 2 tzu 4 lo. 4 7 75S One whom opportunity serves to please all parties. Lit. : A sharp knife cuts bean curd leaving both sides smooth. 快. 刀打 豆腐兩 面 光 K^uai 4 tao 1 ta 3 tou 4 . fu 3 liang 3 mien 4 kuang. 1 r 757 When a time to drink wine comes, drink it ； and when you are in a proper place sing aloud. 遇 斡 撣 特 須斡酒 Yii 4 yin 3 chin 3 shih 2 hsii 1 yin 3 chin 3 ； 得 高歌處 且高歌 te 2 kao 1 ko 1 ch^u 4 ch^ieh 3 kao 1 ko. 1 758 Neither leave a spot when there is fish, nor long for a place of shallow rapids. 休 別 有 魚 卑。 莫戀淺 灘頭 Hsiu 1 pieh 2 yu 3 yii 2 cW， 4 mo 4 lien 4 ch^ien 3 t^an 1 t^ou. 2 SECTION VIII.— ON JOYS AND SORROWS. C H APTE E I. AMUSEMENTS. 759 Once in a while you may go to a play, But they are not the things for every day. 逢 場作戯 。不 可專意 Feng 2 ch'ang 2 tso 4 hsi， 4 pu 4 k^o 3 chuan 1 i. 4 ― 760 After dice throwing and card playing, Disputes must arise about paying. 抹脾 擲骰。 必有下 場 白 Mo 3 p^i 2 chih 4 shai, 3 pi 4 yu 3 hsia 4 ch^ang 2 pai. 2 —— ― 761 Losing comes of winning money. 輸尋 只爲 贏錢起 Shu 1 ch^ien 2 chih 3 wei 4 ying 2 ch^ien 2 ch ? i. 3 7S2 If you believe in gambling you will have to sell your house. 信了賭 « 了 ' 屋 Hsin 4 liao 3 tu 3 mai 4 liao 3 wu. 1 763 When four armed men ascend the arena, each tries to kill the other. 上 場 四把刀 Shang 3 ch f ang 2 ssu pa 3 tao, 1 f 、不殺 我我殺 佟 ni 3 pu 4 sha 1 wo 3 wo 3 sha 1 ni. 3 AMUSEMENTS. 131 764 Money goes to the gambling house as criminals to execution. 錢 到 賭場。 .人 到 法 場 CMen 2 tao 4 tu 3 ch^ang, 2 j^n 2 tao 4 fa 3 ch^ang. 2 765 When the gamblers wealth, is spent, and his purse empty, he must stop. 賭博 家財盡 囊空自 然 休 Tu 3 po 2 chia 1 ts c ai 2 chin 4 nang 2 k^ung 1 tzu 4 jan 2 hsiu. 1 76S —— —— To persuade gentlemen not to gamble, is to win for them. 勸 君莫賭 是贏錢 Cyiian 4 chun 1 mo 4 tu 3 shib 4 ying 2 ch^ien. 2 —— 767 - Men in the game are blind to what men looking on ' see clearly. ' 當局 者迷旁 觀者 淸 Tang 4 chii 2 che 2 mi 2 p^ang 2 kuan 1 ch^ 2 ch^ing. 1 CHAPTER II. CALAMITY AND GRIEF. 768 Tis not calamity in any shape, From which it is possible to escape. 躱脫不 是禍。 是禍 躱不脫 To 2 tV pu 4 shih 4 %uo, 4 shih 4 ！ huo 4 to 2 pu 4 t^o. 1 769 To have iron made lips, and feet of beancurd made, Is such a calamity as no one can evade. 鐡 嘴豆 腐脚。 是禍 躱不脫 T^ieh 3 tsui 3 tou 4 fu 3 chio, 3 shih 4 %io 4 to 2 pu 4 t'o. 1 - —— ― 77〇 If the white tiger star faces your gate, Some kind of misfortune must be your fate. 白虎當 門坐。 無炎 必有禍 Pai 2 《hu 3 tang 1 men 2 tso， 4 wu 2 tsai 1 pi 4 yu 3 (huo. 4 7^71 If men eat flesh and do not flourisli, The reason is the grief they nourish. 吃 肉不長 肉。 只爲 多憂愁 CWih 1 jou 4 pu 4 chang 3 jou, 4 chih 3 wei 4 to 1 yu 1 ch r ou. 2 - ~~ ^ 772 Once in trouble it is hard to get out. Lit. : To the claw of the heron the bloodsucker sticks, And he can't shake him off though he lustily kicks. 螞 蝗搭倒 鷺鸞脚 Ma 3 c huang 2 ta 2 tao 3 lu 4 ssii 1 chio， 3 要脫 不得脫 Yao 4 tV pu 4 te 2 t^o. 1 r 773 Severed living and parted dying, No grief on earth can be so trying. 生 一 離 死 別。 悲 哀最切 Sheng 1 li 2 ssu 3 pieh, 2 pei 1 ai 1 tsui 4 ch^ieh. 4 CALAMITY AND GRIEF. 133 774： Full of trouble. Lit. : An ox in a mill ― a horse bearing mail 一 Actors before the CWeng-shou turning pale. ，落 磨坊 馬 落 驛 Niu 2 lo 4 mo 2 fang 2 ma 3 lo 4 yi 4 ~ 戲子 怕的城 守褸 Hsi 4 tsu 3 ti 1 ch^eng 2 shou 3 li. 3 Note. 一 " Ch，Sng-shou," a small military officer, or commandant, in charge of a city ； a sort of superintendent of police. He is dreaded by actors on account of his wel】 known rapacity ； he will force them to perform without remuneration. ― —— - 775 Out of the mouth calamities fly : In by the mouth all sicknesses He. 禍從 口出。 辨 從口入 ！ Huo 4 ts^ung 2 k^ou 3 ch^u 1 : ping 4 ts^ung 2 k^ou 3 ju. 4 77S Whenever the raven flies over ones head, There must be before us some trouble to dread. 烏 《l 當頭遇 。無炎 必有禍 Wu 1 ya 1 tang 1 t^ou 2 bio, 4 wu 2 tsai 1 pi 4 yu 3 ? huo. 4 777 Those who know me, can for me feel ； Can those who dont pray for my weal ？ in 我 者爲我 心憂 Chih 1 wo 3 che 2 wei 4 wo 3 hsin 1 yu A ； f 不知 我者爲 我何求 Pu 4 chih 1 wo 3 che 2 wei 4 wo 3 f ho 2 ch^iu 2 ？ 778 ― On Heaven and Earth he loudly cries ； Both Heaven and Earth his prayer despise. 喊 天 天 不應。 叫地 地不靈 《Han 3 tHen 1 t^ien 1 pu 4 ying 4 ; chiao 4 ti 4 ti 4 pu 4 ling. 2 ~~ ； ~ 779 ― Men may despise me, but if Heaven does not, Suffering is an agreeable lot. 人欺天 勿欺。 吃虧就 是便宜 Jea 2 ch^i 1 t^ien 1 wu 4 chV chW k^uei 1 chiu 4 shih 4 pien 4 i. 2 134 JOYS AND SORROWS. 780 " Prosperity and misfortune are common to all times and places, 豐熟^ ^有。 炎殃 各地方 FeDg 1 shu 2 nien 2 nien 2 yu 3 , tsai 1 yang 1 ko 4 ti 4 fang. 1 ― 7S1 Our pleasures are shallow, our troubles deep. 所樂 者淺。 所 患 者 深 So 3 le 4 che 2 cMen, 3 so 3 Tman 4 che 2 shen. 1 782 Grief knits the brows. 愁鎖盾 尜 Ch^ou 2 so 3 mei 2 chien. 1 783 Full of grief. Lit. ： Your thoughts^ are confused as uncarded hemp. 心 思 亂如麻 Hsin 1 ssu 1 lan 4 ju 2 ma. 2 784 A burnt tortoise keeps his pain inside. 火燒 鳥龜. 肉裡疼 ? Huo 3 shao 1 wu 1 kaei 1 Dei 4 li 3 t^eng. 2 Note. 一 " The heart knoweth his own bitterness "• Prov : xiv, 10. 785 In trouble think of your relations ； in danger depend on old friends. 遇急思 親 戚。 臨 危铊敌 A Yti 4 chi 2 ssu 1 chW chV ； lin 2 wei 2 t V ku 4 jen. 2 786 Calamity and happiness come not of themselves, but only at the call of man. 禍 福 無 門。 惟 人 所 招 ^Huo 4 fu 2 wu 2 men, 2 wei 2 jen 2 so 3 chao. 1 787 ― Though a dumb man has eaten^gentian, he keeps his trouble to himself. CALAMITY AND GEIEF. 135 啞巴吃 黄 連。 苦在 心裡 Ya 3 pa 1 chW ^huang 2 lien, 2 k^u 3 tsai 4 hsin 1 li. 3 788 Extreme danger. Lit. : A bridge of one pole is very- bad to cross. 獨 木搭櫞 '眞 難得過 Tu 2 urn 4 ta 2 cMao 2 chen 1 nan 2 te 2 kuo. 4 789 What is the use of weeping over broken vessels ？ Spilt water cannot be gathered up again. 旣墮釜 fS 反 顧何益 Chi 3 to 4 fu 3 tseng 4 fan 3 ku 4 W i 2 ？ 反覆 之水收 之實難 Fan 3 fu 2 chih 1 shui 3 shou 1 chih 1 shih 2 nan. 2 Note.— "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the groind, which cannot be gathered up again ，，. 2 Sam : xiv, 14. ― 790 Out of the wolf ; _s nest into the tiger's mouth. 正離 痕窩。 反 逢虎口 Cheng 4 li 2 lang 2 wo, 1 fan 3 feng 2 ? hu 3 k^ou. 3 791 Whilst keeping a tiger from the front door, a wolf enters by the back. 前 9 門 拒虎。 後門進 痕 CMen 2 nen 2 chu 4 %i， 3 lou 4 men 2 chin 4 lang. 2 792 When one leaf moves all the branches shake. ， 葉 旣動百 枝皆搖 Ti 1 yeh 4 chi 3 tung 4 pai 3 chih 1 chieh 1 yao. 2 793 Whilst men sit in their houses, Heaven sends calamity upon them. 人在家 裡坐。 禍從. 天 上 來 J&i 2 tsai 4 chai 1 li 3 tso, 4 ? huo 4 tiling 2 t^ien 1 shang 4 lai. 2 —— *794 The mischief will fall on your own pate. Lit. : "When . are trackers drowned by the upset of a vessel ？ 136 JOYS AND SORROWS. 翻 艴 的 幾踌淹 死了扯 繂 的 Fan 1 ch^uan 2 ti 1 chi 3 shih 2 yen 1 ssu 3 liao 3 ch^e 3 ch^ien 1 ti. 1 795 Calamities may come down from Heaven ； but let us seek to be blameless. 禍 從 天 上來。 但求 心無 愧. ? Huo 4 ts^ung 2 t^ing 1 shang 4 lai 2 ； tan 4 ch r m 2 hsin 1 wu 2 k，ud. 4 79S ― To extract sweetness from what is bitter. 從苦 中得甘 Ts^ung 2 k^u 3 chung 1 te 2 kan. 1 797 Worse and worse. Lit. : u When a rat creeps up the horn of a cow the higher it mounts the narrower the space/' 老鼠 扒 f 角越扒 越尜： r Lao 3 shu 3 pa 1 niu 2 chiao 1 yiieh 4 pa 1 yiieh 4 chien 1 liao. 3 —— ~ 798 Grief is ten times bitterer than gentian. 苦比黃 迤. 勝+分 K ? u 3 pi 3 huang 2 lien 2 sheng 4 shih 2 fen. 1 799 Woe ！ and Alas ！ Death, is hard to guess. 鳴 呼哀哉 。人 死難牆 Wu 1 'hu 1 ai 1 tsai 1 ！ jen 2 ssu 3 nan 2 ts^ai. 1 Note. ― This furnishes a specimen of the Innuendo : for several other ez amples, aud notes thereon, see Index. 800 Calamity cannot raise its head. 苦不出 頭 K ? u 3 pu 4 chV t ? ou. 2 —— •—— SOI Hoping to lift up his head, he lifts up his feet. i. e. dies. 望 到 伸 頭。 便要伸 脚， Wang 4 tao 4 shen 1 t'ou, 2 pien 4 yao 4 shen 1 chiao. 3 CALAMITY AND GRIEF. 137 802 If the heart be not wounded the eyes will not weep. 人不傷 心 涙不 « Jen 2 pu 4 shang 1 hsin 1 lei 4 pu 4 liu. 2 —— S〇3 The three misfortnnes are, ― in youth to lose one's father, in middle age to lose ones wife, and in old age to have no son. 三 不 幸。 少 年喪父 San 1 pu 4 hsing, 4 一 sliao 3 nien 2 sang 1 fa, 4 + 年死妻 。老 爽無子 chung 4 nien 2 ssil 3 ch^i/ lao 3 lai 2 wu 2 tzu. 3 ； 8〇4 r • A blind man on a blind horse, coming at midnight upon a deep ditch. 盲 a 麟瞎馬 。夜 半臨深 m Mang 2 jen 2 ch^i 2 hsia 2 ma, 3 yeh 4 pan 4 lin 2 shen 1 cb r ib. 2 —— — 805 For bringing down calamity there is nothing worse than a bad temper ； for warding off misfortune there is nothing better than patient concession. 招殃^ 端莫狠 淤 氣 f Chao 1 yang 1 chih 1 tuan 1 mo 4 ? hen 3 yii 2 cM 4 hsing 4 ; m 禍 $ m 奠過 m .忍 .讓 pi 4 ( huo 4 chih 1 fa° ino 4 kuo 4 yii 2 jen 3 jang. 4 —- 80S Don^t raise waves in the world, and youll keep ice and coal out of your bosom. 不 作風波 於世上 Pu 4 tso 4 feng 1 po 1 yii 2 shih 4 shang, 4 自無， 炭 到 脾 中 tzu 4 wu 2 ping 1 t ? an 4 tao 4 hsiung 1 chung. 1 807 No escape from trouble. Lit. ： There is no road up to heaven, nor door into the earth. 上 天無路 。人 地無門 Shang 3 t^ien 1 wu 2 lu， 4 ju 4 ti 4 wu 2 men. 2 138 JOYS AND SOKROWS. 808 Sympathy. Lit.: When your tooth aches you know how to pity another in the same fix. 齒疼方 知齒疼 A ChW t^eng 2 fang 1 chih 1 cb% 3 t^eng 2 jen. 2 809 The sheep drops into the tiger's jaws. 羊落虎 口 Yang 2 lo 4 ^hu 3 kW 3 810 ― Better a dog in time of peace, than a man in time of rebellion. 寧作； 平 犬。 莫 作遨亂 A Ning 2 tso 4 t ai 4 p^ing 2 ch^iian, 3 mo 4 tso 4 ni 4 lan 4 jen. 2 811 —— ― Despite all his thousands and myriads of schemes, a gimlet strikes against his skull. 千算 萬算當 頭一鑽 ChHen 1 suan 4 wan 4 saan 4 tang 1 t c ou 2 yi 1 tsuan. 1 CHAPTER III HAPPINESS. 812 The happiness of good men may be looked on as reward: The happiness of bad men as a snare we must regard. 差^ V 得 福爲之 賞 Shan 4 jen 2 te 2 fu 2 wei 2 chih 1 shang 3 : 惡 • 人得 騸爲之 殃 4 jen 2 te 2 fa 2 wei 2 chih 1 yang. 1 Note. ― ' 1 The prosperity of fools shall destroy them ，，. Prov : 1 ； 32. 813 Tlie ox ploughs the field while the horse eats the grain; One rears a son and another gets tlie gain. f 耕田。 馬喫穀 Niii 2 keng 1 t^ien, 2 ma 3 chW ku 3 ； 別 .人 養兒。 他 享福 Pieh 2 jen 2 yang 3 erh, 2 t'a 1 hsiang 3 fu. 2 ― ~ 814 The more mouths to eat， So much the more meat. 添人 進 口。 越 Pi 越有 THen 1 jen 2 chin 4 k r ou, 3 yiieh 4 ch^ih 1 yiieh 4 ya. 3 815 Happiness he has but no powers of enjoyment, Who, though his sails are set, must give his oars employment. 有福不 會享。 扯^ 篷來盪 槳 Yu 3 fu 2 pu 4 ^hui 4 hsiang, 3 ch^e 3 ch ? i 3 p^eng 2 lai 2 t^ang 4 chiang. 3 81S For neighbours to keep up a friendly tone, Is equal to finding a precious stone. 和 得 鄕 瞵好。 摺如 檢 得 寶 《Ho 2 te 2 hsiang 1 lin 2 4iao， 3 yu 2 ju 2 chien 3 te 2 pao. 3 140 JOYS AND SORROWS. 817 One man in a house, of joy possessed, Passes it on to all the rest. 一 A 有 福。 拖帶満 屋 Yi 1 jen 2 yu 3 lu,^ tV tai 4 man 3 wu. 1 ― 81S a To assail a man with a whole day's cursing and strife) Only adds to his happiness and lengthens his life. —天一 咒添 福添 壽 Yi 1 t^ien 1 yi 1 chou, 4 Wen 1 fu 2 t/ien 1 shou. 4 819 The hair grows luxuriant when the mind is at rest j And when a man has nothing to do his nails grow best. 心 閒 蓄 頭髮。 身 閒 蓄 指 甲 Hsin 1 bsien 2 hsiu 2 t(ou 2 fa 5 ； shen 1 Men 2 hsiu 2 chih 3 chia. 3 820 In the hum of the market there is money ； but in seclusion there is rest. 閬涎 有錢。 靜 處安身 ISIao 4 li 3 ya 2 cMen 2 ; ching 4 ch c u 4 an 1 shen. 1 821 The older joa grow the more hale may you be ！ 越 老越康 健 Yiieh 4 lao 3 yiieh 4 k^ng 1 chien. 4 822 May you live long, your years ; be plenteous, and your seasons felicitous ！ 人 壽年豐 節氣和 Jen 2 shou 4 nien 2 feng 1 chieb 1 chH 4 c bp. 2 823 ^ With a healthy body a thatched cottage in comfortable; with a settled disposition even cabbage roots are fragrant. 身 安茅屋 穩,。 f 定 莱. 根 ，香 Shen 1 an 1 mao 2 wu 1 wen 5 ； bsing 4 ting 4 ts^ai 4 keD^ hsiang. 1 HAPPINESS. 141 一 — 一 一 824 If you long for pleasure, you must labour hard to get it. 欲求生 快活。 須下 死工夫 Yii 4 cMu 2 sheng 1 k^uai 4 ^huo, 2 hsii 1 hsia 4 ssu 3 kung 1 fu. 1 825 Sorrow is bom of excessive joy. 樂極生 # Le 4 chi 2 sheng 1 pei, 1 82S Unjustly gotten happiness must be followed by calamity. 無端 獲福。 禍 必隨之 Wu 2 taao 1 c huo 4 fu, 2 (huo 4 pi 4 sui 2 chih. 1 827 Days of sorrow pass slowly; times of joy very quickly. 苕日 難熬。 歡 峙^ 過 K^u 3 jih 4 nan 2 ao 2 ； ^uan 1 shih 3 i 4 kuo. 4 82S —— Earth, has no feasts which clon't break up. 天 下無 不散^ 筵， 席 T^ien 1 hsia 4 wu 2 pu 4 san 4 ti 1 yen 2 hsi. 2 -"" —— S29 Happinesses never come in pairs ； calamities never come single. 福 不 雙 至。 禍 不 單 行 Fu 2 pu 4 shuang 1 chih 4 ； ^buo 4 pu 4 tan 1 hsing. 1 830 -Happiness is transient. Lit. ： The bright moon is not round for long ； the brilliant cloud is easily scattered. m 9 月不 常 圓。 彩雲 容易散 Ming" yueh 4 pu 4 ch^ang 2 yiian 2 ; ts^ai 3 yiin 2 yung 2 i 4 san. 4 831 Happiness stands by the ugly, 福 在. 醜. 人邊 Fu 2 tsai 4 cb^ou 3 jen 2 pien. 1 142 JOYS AND SORROWS. 832 One generation plants the trees under whose cool shade another generation rests. 前厶 栽樹。 後人歇 凉 CMen 2 jen 2 tsai 1 sha, 4 f hou 4 jen 2 hsieh 1 liang. 2 ― 833 One generation opens up the roads on which another generation travels. 前 A 開路。 後人 行 Ch^ien 2 jen 2 k^ai 1 lu， 4 ? hou 4 jen 2 hsing. 2 ― 834 There are only a few days in the year for eating flesh- meat. Lit. : for roasting the Yamen sacrifices. 燒衙祭 6》 B 子一 竽有 M Shao 1 ya 2 chi 4 ti 1 jih 4 tzu 3 yi 1 men 2 ya 3 cbi 3 ? hai. 2 835 Who do their duty are free from trouble all their lives. 伹 能 舉 本分。 終 身 無 煩 惱 Tan 4 neng 2 i 1 . pen 3 fen, 1 chung 1 shen 1 wu 2 fan 2 nao. 3 83S Peace and joy are more precious than yellow gold. 黃 金未爲 ：貴。 安 樂 简 m 多 ? Huang 2 chin 1 wei 1 wei 2 kaei, 4 an 1 le 4 chih 2 ch^ien 2 to. 1 837 Of the five happinesses long life is the greatest. 五 軀之中 壽爲. 先 Wu 3 fa 2 chib 1 cbung 1 shou 4 wei 2 hsien. 1 Note. ― It is remarkable that, though the Five Happinesses are spoken of everywhere, scarcely any one cau tell you what they are. The orthodox five, however, must be those mentioned in the Book of History ； viz, Long life 幕， Wealth 富, health 康 寧, the cultivation of Virtue 修 jtf 德, and a natural death 者 終命. 2838 Happiness, long life, and health, are the common desire of all men. ' 福壽 康寧。 人所 同欲 Fa 2 shou 4 k^ng 1 nmg， 2 jen 2 so 4 t f tmg 2 yii. 4 HAPPHSTESS. 143 839 In a country ^it peace great talent is honoured ； in a family grown wealthy children are proud. 國 淸大才 *。 家富 小兒驕 Kuo 2 cluing 1 ta 4 ts^ai 2 kuei^ ； chia 1 fu 4 hsiao 3 erh 2 chiao. 1 840 To dwell in peace is happiness. 居之安 年爲福 Chii 1 chih 1 an 1 p^ing 2 wei 2 fu 2 . 841 More comfortable than the gods ！ it 神 仙 還舒 Is Pi 3 shen 2 hsien 1 ^huan 2 shu 1 fu. 2 842 It is good to be neither too high nor too low. 萵不得 低不得 就 好 Kao 1 pu 4 te 2 ti 1 pu 4 te 2 chiu 4 bao. 3 843 Happiness is Heaven-sent. 福 自天來 Fu 2 tzu 4 t^ien 1 lai, 2 5~ 84：4 Possessed of happiness don t exhaust it. 有福不 可享盡 Yu 3 fu 2 pu 4 k ? o 3 hsiang 3 chin. 4 845 Without a Wtc-fimg tree you can't get the phoenix to visit you. 、 沒 有梧桐 樹。 叫不着 鳳鳳來 Mu 2 yu 3 wu 2 t^ung 2 shu, 4 chiao 4 pu 4 cho 2 feng 4 huang 2 lai. 2 Note. 一 The meaning of this proverb is, that without some inducement certain benefits cannot be attained. The Wu-tung tree " is much admired by the Chinese, the popular idea being that its branches are the favourite resort of the phoenix "• See Stent's Vocabulary page 673. 84S Having harmony in the family, and being in harmony with all men, all your affairs will be harmonious. 144 JOYS AKD SOEKOWS. 家和人 和萬事 ft Chia 1 4io 2 j en 2 (ho 2 wau 4 shih 4 c ho 2 > 847 The two words Peace and Rest are worth, a thousand taels of gold. 平安兩 字镡千 金 P^ing 2 an 1 liaug 3 tzu 4 chih 2 ch^ien 1 chin. 1 848 ― When all our affairs are in order great is our felicity and profit. 百事 從 順大 吉夭利 Pai 3 shih 4 ts r ung 2 shun 4 ta 4 chi 2 ta 4 li. 4 849 "When happiness comes the mind grows more in- telligent. 福至心 靈' Fu 2 chih 4 hsing 1 ling. 2 850 " An immoderate use of dainties generally ends in disease ； and pleasure when past is converted into pain." 爽 口食多 僞作病 Shuang 1 k^ou 3 shih 2 to 1 p^ien 1 tso 4 ping 4 ； 快 心 事 過 恐 生 殃 K^aai 4 hsin 1 shih 4 kuo 4 k^ung 3 sheng 1 yang. 1 851 To the contented even poverty and obscurity bring happiness ； to the discontented even riches and honours bring misery. 知 足者貧 賤亦樂 Chih 4 tsu 1 che 2 p(in 2 cHen 4 i 4 le 4 ; 不知 足者貴 富亦憂 i pu 4 chih 1 tsu 2 che 2 fu 4 kuei 4 i 4 yu 1 ; 852 A happy condition; Lit. : No creditor at the door, and nobody sick in the house. happhstess. 145 n ^，無 債. 主。 3 家 中無， A Men 2 ch^ien 2 wu 2 chai 4 chu, 3 chia 1 chung 1 wu 2 ping 4 jen. 2 . S53 The happy know not how time flies. 快？ 舌不知 特日邋 K^uai 4 ? huo 2 pu 4 chih 1 shih 2 jih 4 kuo. 4 854 一 The two words Pure and Leisure no money can buy. $ m ，兩 字 寧 難 賈, Cying 1 hsien 2 liang 3 tzu 4 ch4en 2 nan 2 mai. 3 . 855 Be very careful of happiness ； and provoke not calamity. 多 惜 福 少 惹 禍 To 1 hsi 2 fu 2 shao 3 je 8 %io. 4 ― 85S Since life lias nothing in it like tranquility, can it be a thing obtained by chance ！ 人 生無似 p 閒 好 Jen 2 sheng 1 wu 2 ssu 4 ching 1 hsien 2 hao， 3 得 到淸閒 豈偶然 te 2 tao 4 ch^ing 1 hsien 2 ch^i 3 ou 3 ja。. 2 857 Whether rich, or poor be pleased with, your lot ； for he is a fool who can't laugh (under all circumstances). 隨 富隨貧 且隨喜 Sui 2 fu 4 sui 2 p^in 3 ch^ieh 3 sui 2 h^si 3 ; 不 簡口笑 是癡. 人 pu 4 k^ai 1 k^ou 3 hsiao 4 shih 4 ch% 2 jen. 2 858 Three meals per day, one sleep per night. 日度 三餐。 夜 眠一宿 Jih 4 tu 4 san 1 ts^an, 1 yeh 4 mien 2 yi 1 su. 2 859 You must have four ounces of happiness to get one ounce of gold. 、 146 JOYS AKD SORROWS. 壹兩 黃金四 兩瀕氣 Yi 1 liang 3 (huang 2 chin 1 ssil 4 liang 3 fu 2 cM. 4 8SO Few desires — and buoyant spirits : many cares — and feeble health. , 寡 欲精神 爽。 思多 血氣衰 Kua 3 yii 4 ching 1 shen 2 shuang 1 : ssu 1 to 1 hsieh 3 (M 4 shuai. 1 C H A P.T E R IV. INJURIES ： GIVEN AND SUSTAINED. 8S1 One stroke one kick, Ends the thing quick. —槌一 脚。 繫 w m 脫 Yi 1 ch^ui 2 yi 1 chio， 3 kan 1 ching 4 p^ieh 1 t^o. 1 Note. 一 Said of injury done to anything in oue，s possession. 862 Shrimps are the victims of big fishes' foul play ； And shrimps in their turn too impose on the clay. 大 魚 欺蝦。 蝦 欺泥巴 Ta 4 yu 2 ch^ 1 hsia 1 ； hsia 1 ch^i 1 ni 2 pa. 1 ― 8S3 Though suffering wrong, Keep working along. » 吃得虧 。在一 堆 ChW te 2 k^uei, 1 tsai 4 yi 1 tui. 1 BG^z The moth which, dashes into the flame And burns itself, has itself to blame. 飛蛾 撲燈。 自 燒其身 Fei 1 o 2 p^a 1 teng, 1 tzu 4 sbao 1 ch r i 2 shen. 1 865 Whoe'er provokes misfortune and distress, Deserves to suffer for his foolishness. 惹 禍 招 炎。 問 罪應該 Je 3 ^huo 4 chao 1 tsai, 1 wen 4 tsui 4 ying 1 kai 1 . 8S6 7 In shallow water dragons become the joke of shrimps ； And tigers on the plains are the butt of canine imps. 龍遊淺 水、 遭 蝦 戲 Lung 2 yu 2 cMen 3 shui° tsao 1 hsia 1 hsi 4 ； 虎。 落平 烊被犬 欺 《Hu 3 lo 4 p^ing 2 yang 2 pei 4 ch^iian 3 cVi. 1 148 JOYS AND SORROWS. 867 He who spurts blood at another, first defiles his own month. 含 血 觼人。 先？ 于自己 ^Han 2 hsieh 3 fen 4 j§n, 2 hsien 1 wu 1 tzil 4 chi. 3 868 To injure others you must injure yourself. 害 .人 終 害. a ? Hai 4 jen 2 chung 1 ^hai 4 chi. 3 : 869 ― To come into unpleasant contact with hard men. Lit. : To run against a nail. 礴倒 釘子 P^ecg 4 tao 3 ting 1 tsu. 3 870 At the first stroke of an egg against a stone, the yolk runs out. m m 撞 石頭。 一撞 稗簿黃 Chi 1 tan 4 chuang 4 sbih 2 t^ou, 2 yi 1 chuang 4 chin 4 liii 2 c buang. 2 871 ― It is easy to avoid an arrow shot in one's sight ； but hard to escape one aimed in secret. 明 f 容易躱 。暗箭 最難 防 Ming 2 chien 4 yuog 2 i 1 to 2 ； an 4 chien 4 tsui 4 nan 2 fang. 2 872 To injure secretly. Lit. : To hide mailed soldiers. 喑 藏甲兵 An 4 ts^ang 2 chia 3 ping. 1 873 一 The same. Lit. . To conceal a dagger in one's sleeve. 袖 辜藏刀 Hsia 4 li 3 ts^ang 2 tao. 1 874 To murder by means of another's sword. 借 刀 殺 A Chieh 4 tao 1 sha 1 jen. 2 INJURIES ： GIVEIST AND SUSTAINED. 149 875 To murder without a sword. 殺人 不用刀 Sha 1 jen 2 pu 4 yung 4 tao. 1 876 Injury is infectious. Lit. : When a city gate is burn- ing, the fishes suffer in the moat. 城 門 失火。 殃 及. m m Ch^eDg 2 men 2 shih 1 ^huo, 3 yang 1 chi 2 chHh 2 yii. 2 "~ 877 A wise man will sometimes overlook injuries done to his face. 好 瀵不吃 眼前虧 《Hao 3 ^han 4 pu 4 ch^ih 1 yen 3 (Men 2 k K uel l 878 To injure by means of some great person. Lit. : To bring a great hat to oppress one. 拿 得大帽 子來壓 Na 2 te 2 ta 4 mao 4 tzu 3 lai 2 ya. 1 一 —— - 879 ― Never presume on authority or power to injure orphans or widows. 勿恃勢 力而凌 這孤寡 W shih 4 shih 4 li 4 erh 2 ling 2 pi 1 ku 1 kua. 3 ~~ - —— 880 As the pig's-blood-seller said to the robber ― sup my broth but spare my life. 强 盜 打死寶 楮血的 Chiang 3 tao 4 ta 3 ssu 3 mai 4 chu 1 hsieh 3 ti 1 一 饒 命喝湯 Jao 2 ming 4 (ho 1 t^ang. 1 881 The locust chases the cicada, ignorant that the yellow bird is after it. , 螳螂 捕蟬。 豈知黃 雀在後 T^ang 1 lang 2 pu 3 ch^an, 2 ctfi 3 chih 1 ^huaug 2 ch^iao 3 tsai 4 T hou. 4 150 JOYS AND SOEROWS. 882 If you miss the tiger, he won't miss you. 打 虎 不 着。 反被. 虎 傷 Ta 3 ^hu 3 pu 4 cbo, 2 tan 3 pei 4 ！ hu 3 shang. 1 883 Summer mosquitoes provoke raps with the fan. 六 月蚊虫 招扇打 Lu 4 yiieh 4 wen 2 ch r ung 2 chao 1 shan 4 ta. 3 884 When a man takes foe into his bosom, lie provokes his own calamity. 解衣 抱火。 自 惹其炎 CMeh 3 i 1 pao 4 4mo， 3 tzu 4 je 3 c¥i 2 tsai. 1 885 To drop the bricks one is carrying, on one's own foot. 自 ^ 搬 碡打 自己^ 脚 Tzu 4 chi 3 pan 1 chuan 1 ta 3 tzU 4 chi 8 ti 1 chio. 3 ~ 886 The load a beggar cannot carry he has begged himself. 告化子 背不萄 自討的 Kao 4 Tma 4 tzu 3 pei 4 pu 4 ch^i 3 tzu 4 t^ao 3 ti. 1 887 Paper and pen may take a man's life without the use of a sword. ^寧殺 厶 不用刀 Chih 3 pi 3 sha 1 jen 2 pu 4 yuog 4 tao. 1 888 It is the beautiful bird which gets encaged. 嬌 鳥 被. 籠 Chiao 1 niao 3 pei 4 lung, 2 839 One man may obstruct many. Lit. •• One dragon may obstruct a thousand rivers. 一 龍 阻 住千 江， 水. Yi 1 lung 2 ts(u 4 chu 1 ch^ien 1 chiang 1 shui. 3 皿 UHIES ： GIVEN AND SUSTAINED. 151 890 When one horse will not go, a hundred are thrown into trouble. 一馬不 行 百馬憂 Yi 1 ma 3 pu 4 hsing 2 pai 3 ma 3 yu. 1 891 Cold water entering the mouth, drops into the heart. 冷 水. A 口點^ 在. 心 Leng 3 shui 3 ju 4 k^ou 3 tien 3 tien 3 tsai 4 hsin. 1 Note. 一 Said of slights or injuries, which are not soon forgotten. 892 To draw the big net out of a water-butt. 氷， 缸 幕搬醫 寃 網 Shui 3 kang 1 li 3 pan 1 tseng 1 yiian 1 wang. 3 Note. 一 This is another specimen of the innuendo, so frequent in Chinese proverbs. The meaning is all in the last two words, wliich, in sound, exactly resemble 宽 枉， to ill-iise, to accuse falsely ； and this is the meaning of the proverb. —— ― 893 Through life do nothing to make men knit their brows, then the world should not contain a man to grind his teeth at you. 乎 生莫作 皺眉事 PHng 2 sheng 1 mo 4 tso 4 chou 4 mei 2 shih, 4 m 上 隳無切 n a shih 4 shang 4 ying 1 wu 2 ch^ieh 4 ch% 3 jen. 2 894 To entice a sheep into a drove of tigers. 牵羊 入虎群 Ch^ien 1 yang 2 ju 4 4u 3 ch^uiL 2 895 Strike a man dead and you must forfeit life ； not so if you can deceive him to his death. 打死. A 要镡 ^ Ta 3 ssu 3 jeo 2 yao 4 t c ien 2 ming 4 ； 哄死人 不塡命 ? HuDg 3 ssu 3 jen 2 pu 4 t^ien 2 ming. 4 152 JOYS AND SORROWS. 896 To mislead. Lit. : To give one a chimney to climb. 把烟箇 我鑽 Pa 3 yen 1 t^ung 3 wo 3 tsuan. 1 897 A blind man with inflamed eyes, suffers more and more grievous injury. 瞎子 害火眼 。又狠 又利害 Hsia 2 tzu 3 ^hai 4 ? huo 3 yen, 3 yu 4 'hen 3 yu 4 li 4 f hai. 4 89S Chase a dog down a passage, and he will turn again and bite you. m m 趕狗。 回 頭一口 Chih 2 hsiang 4 kan 2 kou, 3 (hui 2 t^ou 2 yi 1 k^ou. 3 899 - ~~ ― To throw stones on a man in a well. 落 井下石 Lo 4 ching 3 hsia 4 shih. 2 900 To help the tyrant Chieh to tyrannize. 助 桀爲虐 Chu 4 Chieh 2 wei 2 nio. 4 901 To injure men is misery; to pity men is happiness, ' 虧人 是禍。 饒 人是鯧 KVei 1 jen 2 sHh 4 f huo 4 ; jao 2 jen 2 shih 4 fa. 2 902 Man cannot injure man as Heaven can. 人害 .人 不^ Jen 2 ，hai 4 jen 2 pu 4 ssii 3 ; 天 害人纔 害死了 Wen 1 'hai 4 jen 2 ts'ai 2 ? hai 4 ssu 3 liao. 3 C H A P T E E V . LIFE AND DEATH. 903 Any kind of life above the sod, Surpasses burial under the clod. 寧在世 上挨。 不願 土锂埋 Ning 2 tsai 4 shih 4 shang 4 ai 户 pu 4 yiian 4 t c u 3 fi 3 mai. 2 904 ― When we take off our boots and stockings to-day, That we shall wear them to-morrow, who can say ？ ^ H E T S 会襪 Chin 1 jih 4 tV liao 3 hsieh 2 ^ho 2 wa, 4 不知 明 日？ 及 不 ？及 Pu 4 chih 1 ming 3 jih 4 sa; pu 4 sa. 1 —— 一 OOS Tlie man lives, but wit lives not ； wit lives and the man grows old. . Life and wit both live ； but e ? er a man knows it his days are told. 人 生智未 生。 智 生. 人易老 J en 2 sheng 1 chih 4 wei 4 sheng 1 ； chih 4 sheng 1 jen 2 i 4 lao 3 : 生智一 切生。 不 覺無常 到 Sheng 1 chih 4 yi 1 ch^ieh 4 sheng 1 ； pu 4 chiao 4 wu 2 ch^ang 2 tao. 4 90S The roots of an old tree in the earth, you may find ； But a dead man is fully cut off from his kind. 樹 老根 還在。 人 死雨丢 開 Shu 4 lao 3 ken 1 ^huan 2 tsai 4 ; jen 2 ssil 3 liang 3 tiu 1 k^ai. 1 ― 907 On the road to hades (or the Yellow spring) no account is taken of old and young. 黃 皋 St 上 無老少 ^Huang 2 cMen 2 lu 4 shang 4 wu 2 lao 3 shao. 3 154 JOYS AND SOEEOWS. ― 90S Insects of every kind covet life and fear death. 蟲 蟻也貪 生怕死 Ch'ung 2 i 3 yeli 4 t^n 1 sheng 1 p a 4 ssu 3 . 909 Man's life is like a candle in the wind, or hoar-frost on the tiles. 人生 在世。 如. 風！! T 燭 J en 2 sheng 1 tsai 4 shib , 4 ju 2 feng 1 clrien 2 cbu, 2 P % 上 霜 ju 2 wa 1 shaug 4 shuang. 1 910 Man，s life on earth, resembles a spring dream ； when once the soul has fled， all is over. 人 生在. 世 如寒夢 Jen 2 sheng 1 tsai 4 shih 4 ju 2 ch^un 1 meng 4 ; 乖魂一 走 萬事休 ling 2 ^hun 2 yi 1 tsou 4 wan 4 shih 4 hsiu. 1 911 Though a man live a hundred years still he must die ； and the sooner we die the sooner we have done "with, the body. A ？ 舌百歲 也是死 Jen 2 ^huo 2 pai 3 sui 4 yeb 3 shih 4 ssu 3 ； 早 死早些 脱了身 tsao 3 ssu 3 tsao 3 hsieh 1 t^o 1 liao 3 shen. 1 912 —— ~ Man's days are numbered. 人之修 短有數 ~ Jen 2 chih 1 hsiu 1 tuan 3 yu 3 shu. 4 ^ 913 Few have ever attained the age of threescore years and ten. A 生七十 古來稀 Jen 2 sheng 1 cM 1 shih 2 ku 3 lai 2 hsi. 1 \ LIFE AND DEATH. 155 914 The fish, wliicli sports in the pan has but a short time to live. f > 遊釜 中雖 生不久 Yii 2 yu 2 fu 3 chung 1 sui 1 sheng 1 pu 4 chiu. 3 915 Man's life is truly a performance. A 生 在世無 醉是戲 Jen 2 sheng 1 tsai 4 sbih 4 wu 2 fei 1 shih 4 hsi. 4 Note. 一 "All the world's a stage." 916 Before a man knows it lie has grown white-headed. 不 學又是 白頭翁 Pu 4 chiao 4 yu 4 shih 4 pai 2 t ? ou 2 weng. 1 917 In the Great Eiyer, preceding waves are swallowed up by those which follow ； so in the world, new men take the old men's places. 長 江後 蒗催前 蒗 Ch、ang 2 chiatig 1 r hou 4 lang 4 ts'm 1 cL'ien 2 lane; 4 : 世 上 新 A 換舊人 l shih 4 sbang 4 Lsin 1 jen 2 c buan 4 chiu 4 jen. 2 ' 918 Tlie ancients see not the modem moon ； but the modern moon shone on the ancients. 古 人不見 今特 月 Ku 3 jen 2 pu 4 chien 4 chin 1 shih 2 yiieh 4 ； . 今月 曾經 照 ^ A cbiii 1 yiieh 4 ts^eng 2 cMn 1 chao 4 ku 3 jen. 2 919 - —— ― There are trees on tile mo 皿 tains a tliousand years old ； but a centenarian amongst men it is hard to find. 山 中命有 。于 年 樹， Sban 1 cbuns; 1 yeb° ya 3 ch'ien 1 nien 2 sLa 4 ； 世 ± 難逢 百歲人 shih 4 shang 4 nan 2 feng' 2 pai 3 sui 1 jen. 2 156 JOYS AND SORROWS. 920 Some hate to see a hoary head, I view one witli delight ； for many young men die， attaining not an old man s death. 人見白 頭嗔。 我 |L 肖頭喜 Jen 2 cbien 4 pai 2 t^oa 2 ch^en 1 ； wo 3 chien 4 pai 2 tW 2 ^hsi 3 : 多 少 少 年 c 。不見 白， 頭 死 to 1 shao 3 shao 3 nien 2 wang, 2 pu 4 chien 4 pai 2 t^ou 2 ssii* 3 921 ― Man lives a generation as plants a spring. ^生一 世。 萆 生一春 Jen 2 sheng 1 yi 1 shih, 4 ts^ao 3 sheng 1 yi 1 ch^un. 1 922 After full moon the light diminishes ； after middle age man's affairs begin to lessen. 月 過十五 光 ， 少 Yueh 4 kuo 4 shih 2 wu 3 kuang 1 ming 2 shao 3 \ 人到中 竽萬事 休 jen 2 tao 4 chung 1 nien 2 wan 4 shih 4 hsiu. 1 —— 923 Though life cannot reach, a hundred years, men cherish the troubles of a thousand. 人生不 満百。 常懷千 歲憂' Jen 2 sheng 1 pu 4 man 3 pai, 3 ch^ang 2 ^huai 2 ch^ien 1 sui 4 yu. 1 924 Men live like birds in a wood together ； but when the set time comes each takes his flight. 人 生似鳥 同秫宿 Jen 2 sheng 1 shih 4 niao 3 t^ung 2 lin 2 su 2 ; 大限 來 fl# 各自飛 ta 4 Men 4 lai 2 shih 2 ko 4 tzu 4 fei. 1 ~ ； —— 925 Whom Yen wang dooms to die in the third watcli, can never live on to the fifth. 閻 王註定 三更^ Yen 2 wang 2 chu 4 ting 4 san 1 keng 1 ssu ? 3 LIFE AXD DEATH. 157 並 不留， A 到五 更 ping 4 pu 4 liu 2 jcn 2 tao 4 wu 3 keng. 1 Note. ― Yen wang is popularly regarded as one person, a sort of Hades or Pluto ； really, however, this designation is applicable to the Ten Kings of Hell, who are supposed to have rule over the life and death of men. ― 92S Sick folks dread a devil's call (i.e. to die). 患 ， m 怕 鬼， P4 c Huan 4 ping 4 ti 1 p^a 4 kuei 3 cbiao. 4 927 Death, has reached the points of his eyebrows. 死在 眉毛尖 上枣： r Ssu 3 tsai 4 mei 2 嵐 o 2 chien 1 shang 4 lai 2 liao. 3 Note. 一 This means that a man is on the point of death. 928 When the oil is exhausted the lamp dies out. 油乾燈 息 Tn 2 kan 1 teng 1 hsi. 2 929 He does not close his eyes in dying. 他 死不閉 眼 T^a 1 ssu 3 pu 4 pi 4 yen. 3 Note. 一 That is because he has some trouble on his mind ； —-some anxiety for the welfare of his survivors. 930 Who knows whether the bonze or his "wooden fish will last the longer \ 嗪 得是和 尙 長， 木魚 長 Hsiao 3 te 2 shih 4 ^ho 2 shang 4 ch^ang 2 ma 4 yii 2 cb c ang. 2 931 Get the coffin ready and the man won t die. 辦 到 棺^ 材 ^不死 Pan 4 tao 4 kuan 1 ts^ai 2 jen 2 pu 4 ssu. 3 932 Fitful life is but a dream. 浮， 生若， 夢 Fou 2 shGng 1 jo^ raeng 4 158 JOYS AND SOEEOWS. 933 Flowers bloom and wither year by rear ； but how can an old man grow young again ？ 花簡花 謝 年年有 ^Hua 1 k^ai 1 ^hua 1 hsieh 4 nien 2 nien 2 yu 3 ； 人 老何曾 轉 少^ jen 2 lao 3 c ho 2 ^bui 4 chuan 3 shao 3 nien. 2 ~~ —— 934 There is a day to be born, and a time to die. 生有日 死有峙 Sheng 1 yu 3 jib 4 ssu 3 ya 3 sLih. 2 Note. ― a A time to be born, and a time to die. " Eccles. 3. 2. 935 No medicine can secure long ]ife， even to a minister of state ； no money can buy for any man a virtuous posterity. 無藥 可延卿 相 壽 Wu 2 yao 4 kV yen 2 cMng 1 hsiang 1 sbou 4 ； 有錢難 買子孫 箕 yu 3 ch、ien 2 nan 2 mai 3 tzu 3 sun 1 hsien. 2 93S The great wall of a myriad miles still remains, but Chin SMh ，！ luang, who built it， is gone. 長 城萬里 今猶在 a Chiang 2 cl^eng 2 wan 4 IP chin 1 yu 2 tsai, 4 不見當 年秦始 f 皇 9 pu 4 chien 4 tang 1 nien" 2 CMn 2 SLih 3 ^Huang. 2 . 937 What centenarian has 36,000 days of pleasure ？ 人 生百歲 Jeu 2 sheng 1 pai 3 sui, 4 那有三 萬六 千.. 日 ± m na 3 yu 3 san 1 wan 4 lu 4 cVien 1 jih 4 chih 1 le 4 % 938 Our whitened bones must needs' lie buried under the green sod ； and yellow gold will hardly buy back the raven locks of youth. ! LIFE AND DEATH. 159 終 須 6 骨埋. 靑 塚" Chung 1 hsii 1 pai 2 ku 3 mai 2 cluing 1 chuog 3 ; 難把 黃 傘買. 禺 §頁 nan 2 pa 3 ^huang 2 chin 1 mai 3 Taei 1 t^ou. 2 S39 The Emperor with all his wealth, cannot buy myriads of years. 皇 帝有錢 難買. 萬萬歲 ！ Huang 2 Ti 4 yu 3 ch'ien 2 nan 2 mai 3 wan 4 wan 4 sui. 4 940 A beggar will not cross a rotten bridge. 吃丐不 過朽木 橋 Ch^ih 1 kai 4 pu 4 kuo 4 hsiu 3 ma 4 ch^iao. 2 941 To-day secures not to-morrow's affairs. 今 朝不保 明朝事 Chin 1 chao 1 pu 4 pao 3 ming 2 chao 1 shih. 4 ^ ~ ― 942 , We can，t secure on going to bed that we shall get up again. 上 床難保 下床东 Shang 3 cWnang 2 nan 2 pao 3 hsia 4 ch r uang 2 lai. 2 943 When a man will risk his life, ten thousand cannot stop him. ― A } 弃 命。 萬夫難 擋 Yi 1 jen 2 j/an 1 ming, 4 wan 4 fu 1 nan 2 tang. 3 944 If you envy a man's wealth, do not envy his food ； if you are dissatisfied with life, do not be so with death. ^財奠 ^食。 怨 生 奠怨死 Tu 4 ts^ai 2 mo 4 tu 4 shih 2 ; yiian 4 sheng 1 mo 4 yiian 4 esu. 8 945 一 A generation is like a swift horse passing a crevice. —世如 駒 過 隙 Yi 1 shib 4 ju 2 chu 1 kuo 4 hsi. 2 CHAPTER VI. MOURNING AND BURIAL. 94:6 Any soil will do to bury in. 處處 黃土 好埋人 ChV ctfu 4 (huang 2 t^u 3 W mai 2 jen. 2 947 A son's mourning for Hs motlier startles Heaven and moves Earth.. 兒子 哭娘驚 天動地 Erh 2 tzu 3 niang 2 ching 1 tW tung 4 ti. 4 948 A daughters mourning for her mother is true and sincere. 女兒^ ^ 娘龔 心實葶 Nii 2 erh 2 k^u 1 niang 2 chen 1 hsra 1 s£ih 2 i. 4 949 A daugh.ter-m-law ? s mourning for her mother-in-law is purely hypocritical. 媳 婦 哭婆婆 假 情-假 E Hsi 2 fa 4 kV p^o 2 p f o 2 chia 3 ebbing 2 chia 3 i. 4 950 A son-in-laws mourning for Ms mother-in-law is short and fitful. 女： If 哭丈母 驢子放 M Nii 2 hsti 4 k^u 1 chang 4 mu 3 lii 2 ' tzu 3 fang 4 pH. 4 Note. ~ The latter part of this proverb I have preferred to translate freely, since it contains an illustration less beautiful than striking. 951 The hare dies and the fox mourns. 兎死 狐 悲 T^u 1 ssu 3 ^bu 2 pei, 1 MOURNING AND BUEIAL. 161 952 When puss mourns for the rat it is all sham pity. 貓兒 哭老鼠 假慈藜 Mao 1 erh 2 k^u 1 lao 3 shu 3 chia 3 tz c u 2 pei. 1 953 ― When his lady dies, hundreds of visitors haste to condole ； but when the general himself dies, not a single soldier appears. 夫人死 W 客臨門 Fu 1 jen 2 ssu 3 pai 3 k c o 4 lin 2 men 2 ; 將 軍 c 一卒 不至 Chiang 1 chiin 1 wang 2 yi 1 tsu 2 pu 4 chih. 4 954： Over a husbands s death, a wife will truly mourn three years ； over a wife's such favour is not shown for more than a hundred days. 夫 死三年 妻大孝 Fu 1 ssu 3 san 1 nien 2 cM 1 ta 4 hsiao 4 ; 妻 死無過 百日思 ch^i 1 ssu 3 wu 2 kuo 4 pai 3 jih 4 ssu. 1 955 Vain is the sacrifice of an 皿 filial son. 在. 生不 孝。 死祭無 S Tsai 4 sheng 1 pu 4 hsiao, 4 ssu 3 cbi 4 wu 2 i. 2 056 Why should he, who does not honour his parents when living, mourn for them wlien dead ？ 在. 生不 把父母 敬 Tsai 4 sLeng 1 pu 4 pa 3 tu 4 mu 3 ching, 4 死 後何 必哭靈 魂 ssu 3 ? hou 4 《ho 2 pi 4 k^u 1 ling 2 ^hun. 2 957 一 To offer a bullock at one's parents' grave, is not equal to presenting them while living with fowls or sucking-pigs. 162 JOYS ANT) SORROWS. 不如 雞豚之 逮存 pu 4 ju 2 chi 1 t ? un 2 chih 1 tai 4 ts^un. 2 e 058 Men mourn for those who leave fortunes behind them. 牀 頭一倉 穀 9 死： r 有. 人哭 Ch^uang 2 t ? ou 2 yi 1 ts^ang 1 ku, 3 ssii 3 liao 3 yu 3 jen 2 k^u. 1 959 Don，t distress yourself for the dead. Lit : Let the dead care for the dead, and the living for the living. 死 的顧死 的。 活 的 顧 活 的 Ssii 3 ti 1 ku 4 ssu 3 ti 1 , Tmo 2 ti 1 ku 4 ^huo 2 ti. 1 9SO ― If a mourner, you cannot sing ； if you can sing, you cannot mourn. 哭 則 不 歌。 歌則不 哭 tse 2 pu 4 ko 1 ; ko 1 tse 2 pu 4 k^u. 1 CHAPTER V REPUTATION. 961 Fragrant perfumes will exhale wherever musk is found : And wind will not be needed to spread the scent around. 有 麝自. 然 f 。奠^ 當風鼹 Yu 3 she 4 tzu 4 jan 2 hsiang 1 : mo 4 tsai 4 tang 1 feng 1 yang. 2 962 Wealth among men is like dew among plants ； Foam on the waves is the fame which earth, grants. A 閬 富貴花 閒 露 Jen 2 Men 2 fu 4 kuei 4 Tma 1 hsien 2 lou 4 : 禅上功 ^ 水. 上 濯 Shih 1 shang 4 kung 1 ming 2 shui 3 shang 4 ou. 4 963 Wealtli is but dung ； a face is worth thousands of gold. 錢財如 糞土。 臉面 値千金 Ch^ien 2 ts^ai 2 ju 2 fen 4 t c u 3 ； lien 3 mien 4 chih 2 ch^ien 1 chin. 1 ― —— 964 A dying leopard leaves his skin ； a dying man his name. 豹死 留皮。 人 死留名 Pao 4 ssu 3 liu 2 pH 2 ； jen 2 ssu 3 lia 2 ming. 2 一 965 As the scream of the eagle is heard when she has passed over ； so a man's name remains after his death. 臈過留 聲。^ 去留名 Ying 1 kuo 4 liu 2 sheng 1 : jen 2 ch^ii 4 liu 2 ming. 2 966 ― His fame is great, like thunder in one's ear. 聲 名。 大如雷 貫耳 Sheng 1 ming 2 ta 4 ju- lei 2 kaan 4 erh. 3 164 JOYS AND SORROWS. 9S7 Merit and fame never crown the lazy. 功 名不上 懶人頭 Kung 1 ming 2 pu 4 shang 3 lan 3 jen 2 t ? ou. 2 9S8 The sound of drumming on a lofty hill is heard far and wide. 萵山打 鼓。 聲 名在^ Kao 1 shan 1 ta 3 ku, 3 sheng 1 ming 2 tsai 4 wai. 4 969 Whoever gains fame dignifies his parents. 揚 名顯親 Yang 2 ming 2 Lsien 3 cMru 1 970 Wide-spread his fame, who comes with, waving flags and roaring cannon. 扯旗放 砲。 聲 名浩蕩 Ch ( e 3 cVi 2 fang 4 p r ao 4 , sheng 1 ming 2 (hao 4 tang. 4 971 - The tiger is terrible even when dead. 虎死 雄心在 c Hu 3 ssu 3 hsiung 2 hsin 1 tsai. 4 972 A great man who fails to leave a good name for a hundred generations, will leave a bad one for a myriad years. 大 丈夫旣 不能流 旁百世 Ta 4 chang 4 fu 1 chi 3 pu 4 neng 2 liu 2 fang 1 pai 3 shih, 4 便遣臭 萬年 pien 4 i A cUou 4 wan 4 nien 2 973 , To sweep clean at a stroke. 一 苕 m 掃< 得 鹩 淨 Yi 1 t^iao 2 chou 3 sao 3 te 2 kan 1 ching. 4 Note, 一 This is said of a reputation suddenly forfeited from any cause. KEPUTATION. 165 974 - One，s good deeds are known only at home ； one's bad deeds far away. 好事不 出門。 惡事傳 千里 ^Hao 3 shih 4 pu 4 ch^u 1 men 2 ； o 4 shih 4 chuan 4 ch^ien 1 li. 3 Note. 一 "The evil which men do, lives after tbem ; The good is oft iDterred with their bones." 975 In your ten years secluded study no one will know yon ； but once take your M. A. degree, and your fame will be known through, the empire. 十年 窓下 無人問 Shih 2 nien 2 ch^uang 1 hsia 4 wu 2 jen 2 wen 4 ； —舉 成名 天下知 yp chii 3 ch^eng 2 ming 2 t^ien 1 hsia 4 chih. 1 ― 976 '- When the dragon has returned to his sea caves, the clouds retain their moisture : after the musk-deer has crossed the green hills, the grass and trees retain its perfume. 龍 遊海 涧雲 猶 m Lung 2 yu 2 ? hai 3 tung 4 yiin 2 ju 2 shih 1 : 麝過 f 山草 木香 she 4 kuo 4 ch^ing 1 shan 1 ts^ao 3 mu 4 hsiang. 1 1977 One thounder - clap resounds through tlie empire. —下雷 哄天下 饗 Yi 1 hsia 4 lei 2 %ing 3 t^ien 1 hsia 4 hsiang. 3 Note. 一 This refers to any act or event by which a man acquires sudden notoriety. 978 ~~ —— Once scale the dragon gate, and your fame is tenfold multiplied. 一登 龍門。 聲 價十倍 Yi 1 teng 1 king 2 men, 2 sheng 1 chia 4 shih' 2 pei. 4 Note. 一 To 4 scale the dragon gate ， is to take the B. A. degree. 166 JOYS AND SOREOWS. 979 —— ^ When the tiger dies he does not lose his dignity. 虎死不 铜 威 ? Hu 3 ssu 3 pu 4 tao 3 wei. 1 9SO At court men contend for fame ； in the market for profit. 爭 名 入朝。 爭 利】 A 市 Cheng 1 ming 2 ju 4 ch^ao 8 ； cheng 1 li 4 ju 4 shih. 4 —— ： 981 Vicious conduct will cause a man's name to stink for ten thousand years. 爲惡 則遺臭 萬 年 Wei 2 o 4 tse 2 i 2 ch^ou 4 wan 4 nien. 2 . 982 ― The reputation of a thousand years may depend on the character of a single day. 得失一 朝。. 榮辱千 載 Te 2 shih 1 yi 1 chao, 1 juiig 2 ju 4 ch^ien 1 tsai. 3 983 If one man praises you, a thousand will repeat the praise. 一人 道好。 千 人傳實 Yi 1 jen 2 tao 4 hao， 3 chMen 1 jen 2 chuan 4 shih. 2 CHAPTER V II THE PLEASURES, ETC. OF WINE. 984 Old monarch in the eating line ； He will not touch a drop of wine. m c m 不嘗。 吃 莱老王 Tieo d chin 3 pu 4 ch^ang 2 ― cli^ih 1 ts(ai 4 lao 3 wang. 2 985 In every morning's stroll for him the wine doth flow ； Eeturning home at eve fair garlands crown his brow. 朝朝出 去酒， 隨後 Chao 1 chao 1 ctfu 1 ch^ii 4 chin 3 sui 2 c hou 4 ； 夜夜 歸來花 満 頭 Yeh 4 yeh 4 tuei 1 lai 2 ^hua 1 man 3 tW. 2 986 When flowers are blooming then pour out the wine ； But don't ascend the tower when there's no bright moon-shine. 齊花方 * 酌酒。 無月 不登樓 Yu 3 ^hua 1 fang 1 cho 2 chiu a ； wu 2 yueh 4 pu 4 teng 1 lou. 2 987 As limpid streams within .earthen banks are bound, So midst wine's victims are hosts of scholars found, m 淸 之 水. 爲. 土所防 CMng 1 ctfing 1 chih 1 shai 3 wei 2 t^u 3 so 4 fang, 2 濟. 濟 之士爲 酒所傷 Chi 4 chi 1 cliih 1 shih 4 wei 2 chiu 3 so 4 shang. 1 988 Don t begin to drink with day's returning light ； Or you'll be very drunk till six o'clock at night. 莫吃卯 踌酒。 昏昏醉 到 酉 Mo 4 chW mao 3 shih 2 chiu, 3 ^hun 1 ^hun 1 tsui 4 tao 4 yu. 3 168 JOYS AND SOEEOWS. 989 Let those who desire to break off drinking habits, when sober, observe a drunken man. 若要 颟 酒法。 醒眼看 醉人 Jo 4 yao 4 tuan 4 chiu 3 fa, 3 hsing 3 yen 3 k^an 4 tsui 4 jen. 2 ― —— 990 A drop to a thirsty man is like refreshing dew ； a cup to one already drunk is worse than none at all. 渴 ^—滴 如甘露 K^o 3 shih 2 yi 1 ti 1 ju 2 kan 1 lu， 4 醉 後添 坏 不郯無 tsai 1 ^hou 4 t^ien 1 pei 1 pu 4 ju 2 wu. 2 ― 991 Medicine may heal imagined sickness, but wine can never dispel real sorrow. 藥能醫 假病。 準不 解募愁 Yao 4 neog 2 i 1 chia 3 ping, 4 chiu 3 pu 4 chieb 1 chen 1 ch^ou. 2 ― 992 Three glasses help one to understand great doctrines ； perfect intoxication scatters a thousand troubles. 三杯通 大道。 一醉解 千 愁 San 1 pei 1 t^img 1 ta 4 tao 4 ； yi 1 tsui 4 chieh 1 ch'ien 1 ch^ou. 2 993 '― He got into debt for wine wherever he could. 酒 債霉常 行處有 Chiu 3 cbai 4 hsin 2 ch^aiig 2 hsing 2 ch c u 4 yu. 3 Note, "This is said of Li T f ai-^ai (李 太白) an epicurean L L. D. of the T， ang dynasty; who, because lie saw that life was short, determined to •enjoy in it as much pleasure as possible. 994： To the drunken man heaven and earth are great ； to the man of leisure days and months are long. 醉 後乾坤 九 閑中 日月長 Tsui 4 ? hoa 4 ch^ien 2 k^un 1 ta 4 ； hsien 2 chung 1 jih 4 yueh 4 ch f ang. 2 995 Good wine reddens the face ； riches excite the mind. 好 酒紅 人面。 財帛動 .人 心 ? Hao 3 chiu 3 (hung 2 j^n 2 mien 4 ； ts^ai 2 pai 2 tung 4 jen 2 hsin. 1 WINE. 169 99© With a well-known friend, a thousand cups of wine are few ； when opinions disagree, even half a sentence is too mucli. 酒逢 知己千 钚少 Chiu 3 feng 2 chih 1 chi 3 ch^ien 1 pei 1 shao 3 : 話 不投镌 半句多 hua 4 pu 4 t"on 2 chi 1 pan 1 chii 4 to. 1 997 Three glasses of wine can set everything to rights. 三杯 和萬事 San 1 pu 4 W wan 4 shih. 4 998 Wine can both help and hinder business. 酒能 成事。 洒 能敗事 Chiu 3 neng? ch^eng 2 shih, 4 chiu 3 neng 2 pai 4 shih. 4 ~~ —— 999 ― Wine is a discoverer of secrets. 酒發心 腹之言 Chiu 3 fa 1 hsin 1 fu 2 chih 1 yen. 2 1〇〇〇 ' Wine is a poison which, perforates the bowels ； lechery is a sharp knife which scrapes the bones. 酒是 穿 腸毒藥 Chiu 3 shih 4 ch^ian 1 ch^ang 2 tu 2 yao 4 ； . 色 乃剮骨 剛 刀 se 4 nai 3 kua 3 ku 3 kang 1 tao. 1 * ~ : lOOl Wine is a proper drink for men, as grains a proper food for pigs. 酒 是人喝 的。 糟 是猪噢 的 Chiu 3 shih 4 jen 2 ^ho 1 ti, 1 tsao 1 shih 4 chu 1 ch^ih 1 ti. 1 Note. 一 This is said to deter men from drinking too much. ― 1002 ―; To be mad with wine. 發酒瘋 Fa 1 chiu 3 feng. 1 170 JOYS AND SORROWS. 1〇〇3 Your whole face is reddened with the spring wind- 満 面春風 Man 3 mien 4 ch'un 1 feng. 1 1004 Do not drink more wine than you are able to carry. 莫 f: 過量； ^洒 Mo 4 yin 3 kuo 4 Hang 2 chih 1 chiu. 3 1005 —— Intoxication is not the wine's fault, but the man，s. 酒不 醉人。 人自醉 Chin 3 pu 4 tsui 4 jen 5 2 jen 2 tzu 4 tsui. 4 1006 ~ Drunk but still intelligent. iS 醉 心 明 白 Chin 3 tsui 4 hsin 1 ming 2 pai. 2 1〇〇7 Whether the affair be settled or not, we must have our eighteen bottles of wine. 成不 成 十八瓶 Ch^eng 2 pu 4 ctfeiig 2 shih 2 pa 1 p^iog. 2 1.008 When drinking wine remember the poverty of your family. 吃 酒. 念家貧 Ch^ih 1 chiu 3 nien 4 chia 1 p r in. 3 1009 No wine, no company ； no wine， no conversation. 無洒 不會。 無 酒不議 Wu 2 chiu 3 pu 4 ^hui 4 : wu 2 cbiu 3 pu 4 i. 4 ioio Over the wine cup conversation is light. 酒 钚説話 輕 Chiu 3 pei 1 shuo 1 ? hua 4 ch^ing. 1 WINE. 171 lOll Eich. or not it is my country s wine. 美 不 錢 ^ 中 準 Mei 3 pu 4 mei 3 hsiang 1 chung 1 chin. 3 1012 , Excessive joy breeds sorrow ； excess of wine disorder m 極 則 悲。 酒 極 則 亂 Le 4 chi 2 tse 2 pei 1 ; chiu 3 chi 2 tse 2 lan. 4 SECTION IX.— ON LANGUAGE. H A P T E E I CONVERSATION.. 1013 —— With WSn wang your manners and music display ； With Pa wang let atms be the talk of the day. 豳文王 施鱧樂 Yii 4 Wen 2 wang 2 shih 1 li 3 yo 4 ； 會霸王 動干戈 《Hui 4 Pa 4 wang 2 tnng 4 kan 1 ko. 1 Note. ― Wen wang. The King Alfred of Chinese history, who reigned about 1150 years B. C.， and forms the link between the Shang and the Chou dynasties. Pa wang* There were five chiefs or Kings thus designated ； the most poversful of them was Huan wang or ^Huan hung 公)， whose reigu dates from 717 B. C. 1014： ~~ —— If you deal in tittle-tattle, In your ears will curses rattle. 傳言 過話。 多討 A 罵 Chuan 4 yen 2 kuo 4 ^hua, 4 to 1 t^ao 3 jen 2 ma. 4 1015 The talk of a person can never be true, Who has pointed lips and a very long queue. 嘴尖毛 長。' 説話荒 唐 Tsui 3 chien 1 roao 2 ch^ang, 2 shuo 1 %ua 4 ^huang 1 t^ang. 2 iois Suit your talk to your man : Suit your lot to your plan. 看人 說話。 看 事打卦 K^an 4 jen 2 shuo 1 ? hua 4 : k^an 4 shih 4 ta 3 kua. 4 1017 If one word misses ite aim, A myriad will do the same. CONVEESATION. 173 —言 不中。 萬言無 用 9 Yi 1 yen 2 pu 4 chung, 4 wan 4 yen 2 wu 2 yung. lOlS Say what will please; straight-forward words provoke dislike. 順情説 好話。 幹直華 A 縑 Shun 4 ch%g 2 shuo 1 ！ hao 3 ^hua 4 ； ban 4 chih 2 je 3 jen 2 hsien. 2 1019 Many men, many tongues. A 多 舌頭多 Jen 2 to 1 sh^ 2 t ? ou 2 to. 1 1020 Who know, don't talk ； who talk, don't know. 失口者 不言。 言者不 拟 Chih 1 che 2 pu 4 yen 2 ； yen 2 che 2 pu 4 chih. 1 1021 Sitting alone meditate on your own faults ； in con- versation talk not of other men's. 靜坐常 思己過 Ching 4 tso 4 ch^ang 2 ssu 1 chi 3 kuo 4 ； 閒 談奠論 A m hsien 2 t r an 2 mo 4 lun 4 jen 2 fei. 1 1022 On weddings and burials it is hard to answer clearly. 白喜事 難答白 ^Hung 2 pai 2 hsi 3 shih 4 nan 2 ta 1 pai. 2 , Note. 一 This proverb (another specimen of the innuendo) is commonly used in the sense of ~ Mind your own business ； and frequently only the last three characters are spoken, the others being understood. 1023 There are Chiang - nan men sitting* by, be careful what you say. 座上 有江南 Tso 4 shang 4 yu 3 chiang 1 nan. 1 Note.— In the Yu-shioh (幼 學), section Jen shik (A 事)， where this proverb occurs, we read that there exists a song called "The Song of the Part- ridge " (庶， 古喜 曲)， which when heard by a man from the provinces of Chiang- "a", cau&es him earnestly to desire to return. So when sitting with such guests, it is good manners not to sing that song. 174 LANGUAGE. 1024 A jar's mouth may be stopped ； a man's cannot. 罎口封 得住。 人口封 不 住 T^an 2 k^ou 3 feng 1 ta 2 cbu 4 ； jen 2 k^ou 3 feng 1 pu 4 chu. 4 1025 It is a waste of words to repeat a thing three times over. 話 說三遍 是閑言 ^Hua 4 shuo 1 san 1 pien 4 shih 4 Men 2 yen. 2 102S Do not talk to a man about what lie cannot under- stand. 不是 纟口 昔不與 談 Pu 4 shih 4 chih 1 yin 1 pu 4 ya 3 t f an. 2 ― —— ― 1〇27 ― —— ― Never mention Han Liu. 不 提瀵劉 二字 Pu 4 t^i 2 ^Han 4 Liu 2 erh 4 tzu. 4 Note. ― ，！ Ian Liu Hsiu (漢 劉 秀) or, 'according to his reigning title, 9 Han ^"W, (瀵光 武)， was the enemy of the usurper W,M, (王 莽)， Some one happening to mention ，Han Liu in his presence, Wang Mang uttered this trivial remark, which from that circ-umstance has become proverbial in the s ense of ~ Never mention a man's enemy before his face. ~ 1028 A troublesomely great talker is sure to make mistakes. 説話 囉咬。 難 翠無錯 Shuo 1 c hua 4 lo 2 so, 1 can 2 mien 3 wu 2 ts^o. 4 ― 1029 Never joke in the presence of a Prince. 君 前 無戲言 Chiin 1 cMen 2 wu 2 hsi 4 yen. 2 1〇3〇 Neither let tongue nor pen wag as they list. 齊不 亂發。 擎不 妄 動 len 2 pu 4 lan 4 fa, 1 pi 3 pu 4 wang 4 tung. 4 1031 The lion opens his mouth ； the elephant shuts his ； ' shut yours. COXYERSATIOX. 175 開. 口 獅子。 閉口 象。 不可） 亂言 K^ai 1 k r ou 3 sbih 1 tzu 3 ； pi 4 k c ou 3 hsiang 4 ； pu 4 ¥o ?J lan 4 yen. 2 1032 If one compliments everybody, who will be one's enemv ？ 逢人說 好話。 那 有不對 Feng 2 jen 2 shuo 1 ^hao 3 %ia， 4 na 3 yu 3 pu 4 tui 4 ？ 1033 You chatter like magpies over a broken egg. 鴉 昔 I 打破蛋 Ya 1 cL4ao 3 ta 3 p'o 4 tan. 4 ― 1034 Speak carefully and be slow to speak. 鞾 m 口。 慢簡. 言 Chin 3 l^ai 1 k^ou, 3 man 4 k ? ai 4 yen. 2 Note. 一 "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak." James 1. 19. 二 1035 一 Double-tongued. Lit. ： To beat a gourd in the east, a ladle in the west. 東 打葫蘆 。西打 瓢 Tung 1 ta 3 ^hu 2 lu， 2 hsi 1 ta 3 p^iao. 2 1036 No discussion no rousing. 不 提不醒 Pu 4 t'i 2 pa 4 hsin. 3 1037 A good questioner is like one beating a bell. 善 問 者 p 撞 鐘 Shan 4 wen 4 che 2 ju 2 chuang 4 cbung. 1 1038 Meeting a man speak of K Hang. 逢. 人說 項 Feug' 2 jen 2 shuo 1 ^Hang. 4 Note. ― That is, speak of some one well known. Hang Ssu (項 期) was a famous scholar and poet, at the beginning of the T^ang Dynasty. See Yu-hsioh (幼 學)， section Jen-shih (A 拿) • 176 LANGUAGE. 1039 Meeting any one say but few words ； don't out all that is in your heart. 逢 A 且說 Feng 2 jen 2 ch^ieh 3 shuo 1 汆 可全拋 wei 4 k^o 3 ch f ien 2 p^ao 1 三分話 san 1 fen 1 ? haa 4 ； 一 片 心 yi 1 p^ien 4 hsin. 1 1〇4〇 Beware of being overheard. Lit : Partitions have chinks, and walls have ears. m 有縫。 壁有 s ♦ CMang 2 yu 3 feng, 3 pi 3 yu 3 erh. 3 1041 A stammerer of few words need not be a fool ； a glib - tongued man need not be wise. 吶 吶寡言 者未 必 愚 La 3 la 3 kua 3 yen 2 che 2 wei 4 pi 4 yii 2 ; 喋喋 利口者 未必智 tieh 2 tieh 2 li 4 k ? ou 3 che 2 wei 4 pi 4 ehih. 4 1042 The head, may be cut off， but the tongue cannot be restrained. 頭可 斬。 舌 不可禁 T c ou 2 chan, 3 she 2 pu 4 k'o 3 chin. 4 1043 一 He who talks much must err ； he excels who says nothing. 言 多 * 失。 不 言 爲 高 Yen 2 to 1 pi 4 shih 1 ； pu 4 yen 2 wei 2 kao. 1 1044 If you converse by the way, remember there may be men in the grass. 路 J: 說話。 萆 锂有人 Lu 4 shang 4 shuo 1 ? hua ? 4 ts^ao 3 li 3 yu 3 jen. 2 1045 Meeting men or devils, talk as they do. CONTERSATIOJST. 177 遇 不說 A 話。 遇鬼 說鬼話 Yii 4 jen 2 ehuo 1 jen 2 ? hua， 4 yii 4 kuei 3 shou 1 kuei 3 ? hua. 4 104S A man may say what lie has seen. % 得 到 說得出 Chien 4 te 2 tao 4 shuo 1 te 2 ch^u. 1 1047 One may discourse with a wise man ； it is hard to converse with a fool. 可 ^一 者道。 難與 俗人言 K^o 3 wei 2 chih 1 che 2 tao 4 ； nan 2 yii 3 su 2 jen 2 yen. 2 ~~ —— 1048 Be careful what you say. Lit. ： That which goes out of your month, goes into other people's ears. 出在 你口。 入在人 S Ch^u 1 tsai 4 ne 3 k ? ou, 3 ju 4 tsai 4 jen 2 erb. 2 1049 Never converse on the faults of others ； nor presume to speak of your own virtues. 罔談 彼短。 靡恃 a 長 Wang 3 t ? an 3 pi 3 tuan 3 ; mi 2 sLih 4 chi 3 ch^ang. 2 1050 ― It is not so safe to open the mouth, as it is to keep it shut. 開.. 口 不如鉞 P 穩 K^ai 1 k^ou 3 pu 4 ju 2 hsien 2 k^ou 3 wen 3 . - -"" ― 1051 In conversation you must exercise control over the feelings. 説話 要留情 Shuo 1 c bua 4 yao 4 liu 2 ch%g. 2 CHAPTER II. SIMILES. 1052 ~~ —— Pompous. Lit. ： Like an Imperial Preceptor. 像 一個太 歸 ， 皇 Hsiang 4 ji 1 ko 4 t^ai 4 h 1 ^uaug. 2 ―'— 1053 Stupid. Lit. ： Like a wooden image. 像 一個 木偶人 Hsiang 4 yi 1 ko 4 mu 4 on 3 jen. 2 - ― ~ - lOS-i ― Very lazy, muscles. Lit. : Like one who lias drawn out his 像 抽了一 副筋 Hsiang 4 ch^ou 1 liao 2 yi 1 fu 4 chin. 1 - "一 1055 Containing stores of ill-arranged information. Lit. ： Like a waste-paper basket. 像 一個 字紙簍 Hsiang 4 yi 1 ko 4 tzii 4 chih 4 lou. 3 105S ~~ ~—— Depraved. Lit. : Like a door all awry. -像一 個歪. pi m 勢 Hsiang 4 yi 1 ko 4 wai 1 men 2 hsieh 2 shih. 4 1057 Useless. Lit. •• Like a funeral paper god. 像一 個顯道 神 Hsiang 4 yi 1 ko 4 hsien 3 tao 4 shen. 2 Note. ― The hsien tao shen are huge, light, paper-covered images, carried at tlie bead of an officer's funeral. Doolittle gives a good description of them in his " Social Life, " Vol. i， page 203. 1058 Very ugly. Lit. : Like Yang Fan of Ts^ou. 像 楚國楊 樊 ' Hsiang 4 Ts^ou 2 kuo 2 Yang 2 fan. 2 SIMILES. 179 1059 Poor. Z^.: Like anything washed by many waters. 像 大 水珠了 Hsiang 4 ta 4 shui 3 hsi 3 liao 3 lOSO Like a beaten dog. 像打殃 辟狗子 Hsiang 4 ta 3 yang 1 ti 1 kou 3 tzu. 3 lOSl Wise. Lit : Like an efficacious tortoise. ^—個 靈鹚 Hsiang 4 yi 1 ko 4 ling 2 kuei. 1 10S2 Like a sister-in-law of Su ChHn. 像〜 個蘇秦 的嫂子 Hsiang 4 yi 1 ko 4 Su 1 cMn 2 ti 1 sao 3 tzu. 3 Note. 一 That is, to cringe and bow to one in prosperity, whom in adversity you have slighted. See note under proverb 2629. 10S3 To come Suddenly and go gradually. Lit, : As wind and rain it comes, as small dust it goes. 率 p 風雨。 去 似 微 麈 Lai 2 ju 2 feng 1 yii, 3 ch^ii 4 ssu 4 wei 1 ch^en. 2 ― 10S4: ― Uncared for. Lit. ： Like a dog whose master is dead. 如 喪 家 的 狗 Ju 2 sang 1 chia 1 ti 1 kou. 3 1〇65 —— Gradually. Lit : As water soaks into wood. 如 水 浸 木 Ju 2 shui 3 tsin 4 mu. 4 ― loss Without sustenance. Lit. ： As a fish out of water. 如 魚 ^ 氷 Ju 2 yu 2 shih 1 shui. 3 180 LANGUAGE. 10S7 As hard as a stone. 跟石頭 這麼硬 Ken 1 sbih 2 t^ou 2 cLe 4 mo 3 ying.- ' 106S As intimate as brothers, 親 如同胞 ChHn 1 ja 2 t^ung 4 pao. 1 1069 As like as two claps of thunder. w 同 Lei 2 t^urg. 2 1〇7〇 As far as heaven from earth. 天 壤之分 T^ien 1 jaog 2 chih 1 fen. 1 1071 As far as heaven from the abyss of the ocean, 相 去天淵 Hsiang 1 elf ii* t^ien 1 yuan. 1 1072 As thin as a rail. 骨 瘦如柴 Ku 3 shou 4 ju 2 ch^ai. 2 1073 As weak as cotton. 軟如綿 Juan 3 ju 2 mien. 2 —— 1074 - ~ As hard as iron. 硬似鐡 YiDg 4 ssu 4 t r ieh 3 1075 As clear as the pebbles at the bottom of a brook 承 底沙明 Shui 3 ti 3 sha 1 micg. 2 SIMILES. 181 1076 Gradually. Lit, : As the silkworm eats its way. 蠶 食而進 Ts^an 2 sMh 2 erh 2 cbin. 4 1077 As stupid as black lacquer. 糊 塗像鏐 ? Hu 2 t r u 2 hsiarg 4 chH. 1 10*78 As orderly as printin^-blocls. 印 扳層^ Yin 4 pan 3 ts^eng 2 tz% 4 1079 一 Glib-tongued. Lit, : Lips sharp as a knife, m 似 Tsui 3 ssu* tao. 1 ― —— - 1080 Smooth-tongued. Lit •• A pair of oily lips. 一 張油嘴 Yi 1 chang 1 yu 2 tsui. 3 1081 ~ ― Sudden. Lit. •• Like a clap of thunder in the sky, jF q 此半天 雲锂一 翳 Hao 3 pi 8 pan 4 tW yun 2 li 3 yV- lei. 2 1082 Quickly, Lit. •• As ice melts and hoarfrost evaporates 如氷 涫纟霧 戧一般 Ju 2 ping 1 7 "； iao 1 wu 3 san 4 yi 1 pan. 1 1083 Pure as water, clear as a mirror. ^ ， 如 水。 明如 鏡 Ch^Dg 1 ju 2 shui, 3 roing 2 ju 2 cb'ng. 4 一 10S4 Useless. Lit. : As the chaff of fine rice. 182 LANGUAGE. 如 細 米 外 的 糠 皮 Ju 2 hsi 4 mi 3 wai 4 ti 1 Faog 1 1085 As easy as to take anything out of a purse J ^囊 取物 T^an 1 nang 2 ch^u 3 wu. 4 CHAPTER III. WORDS. 108S If you always remember the words you have spoken, Then your peace to tlie end will continue unbroken. 記得從 前 話。 到老不 Pi 罵 Chi 4 t^ 2 t^ung 2 chien 2 ！ hua, 4 tao 4 lao 3 pu 4 she 1 ma. 3 1087 Faithful words do conduct good while they the ear displease ； And good drugs, bitter in tlie mouth, may cure the disease, 忠 言遨耳 利淤， Chung 1 yen 2 ni 1 erh 3 li 4 yii 1 hsing 2 ； 茛 藥苦口 利 淤 病 Liang 2 yao 1 k^u 3 k^ou 3 li 4 yii 1 ping. 4 1088 All tlie words which saws said, Gods respect and devils dread. m 賢言語 。神 欽鬼伏 Sheng 4 bsien 2 yen 2 yii, 3 shen 2 cMn 1 kuei 3 fu. 2 、 1089 ― Whilst our words resemble wind. Writing leaves a trace behind. p 是 ®、 肇是 踪 K^ou 3 shih 4 feng. 1 pi 3 shib 4 tsucg. 1 1090 If your words are not pleasing, hold in half of them. f 話 不投機 留半句 T Hua 4 pu 4 t ; ou 2 chi 1 liu 2 pan 1 cbu. 4 • 1091 Words whispered in the ear may be heard for a thousand miles. Si i 之言闞 淤千里 Fu 4 erh 3 chih 1 yen 2 wen 2 yii 1 ch^ien 1 li. 3 184 LANGUAGE. 1092 Beat your drum inside your house, and outsiders will mot iieai* 鼓' 在內打 。聲不 見外 m Ku 3 tsai 4 nei 4 ta， 3 sheng 1 pu 4 chien 4 wai 4 bsiaug. 3 1093 Fine words are incredible ； credible words are not fine, 美言 不信。 信 言不莠 Mei 3 yen 2 pu 4 hsin 4 ； hbin 4 yen 2 pu 4 mei. 3 1094 ― A man of few words escapes slander, of few desires preserves Lis health. 寡， 言省 謗。 寡慾 保舞， Kua 3 yen 2 sheng 3 pang, 4 kua 3 yii 4 pao 3 shen. 1 1095 A wise man will learn something even from the words of a fool. 狃 夫之言 （聖 人擇焉 K^uang 2 fu 1 cbih 1 yen 2 sheng 4 jen 2 tse 2 yen. 1 109S One good word can warm three winter months ； one bad one can stir up anger. 好話一 切 三冬煖 c Hao 3 c hua 4 yi 1 chii 4 san 1 t^ung 1 nuan 3 ; i 惡話一 句 惱 人 心 4 ? hua 4 yi 1 chii 4 nao 3 jen 2 hsin. 1 Note. —In that part of the Yu hsiao (幼 拿) called Su% shih (歲 膀), a story is told of one Ko Hsien (葛 仙)， a wonderful individual, who performed a feat similar to that referred to in the first line of this proverb. During the cold winter weather he invited some guests to his dwelling ； and, on their arrival, he emitted such a fire from his mouth (吐 火) as made the house warm as in spring time, so that his guests were obliged to put off some of their clothing. The second line of this proverb bears a strong resemblance to Proverbs 15 : 1. 一 "Grievous words stir up anger." 1097 One word of his settles the matter. Lit. •• By one stroke of the saw lie severs the gourd into a couple of ladles. WORDS. 185 —鑤 兩把瓢 Yi 1 chii 4 liang 2 pa 3 p^iao. 2 1098 One word may be better than hundreds or thousands. —言勝 千！ [ Yi 1 yen 2 sheng 4 cWien 1 pai. 3 1099 One word may be worth, a thousand tads of gold. —諾 千金 Yi 1 no 4 cVieu 1 chin. 1 ， 11〇〇 Listen to a man's words if you wish to know his mind. 欲知心 腹事。 犟^ 口 中言 Yti 4 chih 1 hsin 1 fu 2 shih, 4 tan 1 t^ing 1 k c oa 3 chung 1 yen. 2 HOI A man's meaning becomes visible when he opens his mouth. 閼口見 人肺腑 K^ai 1 kW chien 4 jen 2 fei 4 fu. 3 1102 When a man opens his mind his real meaning be- comes evident. m )& 見 誠 K^ai 1 hsin 1 chien 4 ch^eng. 2 1103 What you do not understand, say nothing about. 摸不' 淸 白。 不要 亂答白 Mo 1 pu 4 ch^ing 1 pai, 2 pu 4 yao 4 lan 4 ta 1 pai. 2 1104 一 Stop up your month, like a bottle neck ； guard your thoughts like a city. f q P Q 如 瓶。 防意如 城 Sbou 3 k'ou 3 ju 2 p^ing 1 ； fang 2 j Q 2 c h ? eDg. 2 186 LANGUAGE. 1105 Do not talk about a tiling when it is done ； spilt water cannot be gathered up again. 成 事莫說 。覆 水難收 Ch^eng 2 sbih 4 mo 4 shuo 1 ; fu 2 shui 3 nan 2 shou. 1 1106 ― Praise is hard to get ； but censure is easy to give. 好言 難得。 惡 語易施 ！ Hao 3 yen? nan 2 te 2 ； o 4 yu 3 i 4 shih. 1 1107 When a man is calm he says nothing ； when water is level it flows not. 人平不 語。^ 平不铳 Jen 2 p r ing 2 pu 4 yii 3 ； shui 3 p^ing 2 pu 4 liu. 2 1108 No single word can be recalled. Lit. •• One word let out， a swift horse cannot overtake it. 一言 旣出。 駟馬難 追. Yi 1 yen 2 chi 3 ch^u, 1 shih 4 ma 3 nan 2 chui. 1 1109 One hurtful word wounds like a sharp sword. 傷 /V — 語。 夥 p 刀 割 ShaDg 1 jen 2 yi 1 yii, 3 li 4 ju 2 tao 1 ko. 1 lllO What one says may be false ； what a hundred say must be true. — 人 傳虛。 百.. 人傳實 Yi 1 jen 2 chuan 4 hsii 1 ; pai 3 jen 2 chuan 4 sSh. 2 1111 —— ： ~~ The wound of a sharp knife will close up ； but the hate provoked by evil words will never die. 利 刀割體 瘡猶合 Li 4 tao 1 ko 1 t¥ ch^aang 1 yu 2 ！ ho 2 ； 言 語傷. 人 恨 不 m Yen 2 yii 3 shang 1 jen 2 ^hen 3 pu 4 hsiao. 1 WORDS. 187 1112 Books do not exhaust words, nor words thoughts. 書不盡 言 言 不盡意 Shu 1 pu 4 chin 4 yen, 2 yen 2 pu 4 chin 4 i. 4 1113 Always beware of many words ； when words are many tliere must be error. 處世戒 多言。 言 多必失 Cb c u 4 shih 4 chieh 4 to 1 yen 2 ; yen 2 to 1 pi 4 shih. 1 • -" 1114 Neither drum nor bell can sound unstruck ； and words unspoken cannot be understood. 鼓 不打不 晌。 鐘不撞 不鳴 Ku 3 pu 4 ta 3 pu 4 hsiarig 3 ； chung 1 pu 4 chuang 4 pu 4 ining 2 ； 話不 説不明 c liua 4 pu 4 shuo 1 pu 4 ming. 2 ~ : —— 1115 When good words fill the empire, no one's mouth, offends. 言 滿天下 無口過 Yen 2 man 3 i^ien 1 hsia 4 wu 2 k^ou 3 kuo. 4 111S Three boors cannot carry the word Eeason. '三個 蠻人擡 不起一 個理字 San 1 ko 4 man 3 jen 2 t ? ai 2 pu 4 cb^i 3 yi 1 ko 4 li 3 tsu. 4 1117 ~~ —— Bitter words are medicine ； sweet words an epidemic. 苦 言藥也 ^言 疾也 K^u 3 yen 2 yao 4 yeh 3 ； kan 1 yen 2 chi 2 yeh. 3 1118 * Sages have written thousands and myriads of words to rouse up dreaming men. 聖¥ 千萬 語提醒 夢中人 Sheng 4 hsien 2 ch^ien 1 wan 4 yii 3 t(i 2 hsing 3 meng 4 cbung 1 jen. 2 1119 Having something to say speak plainly, and never conceal it. 188 LANGUAGE. 有話 明說不 必隱瞞 Yu 3 ? hua 4 ming 2 shuo, 1 pu 4 pi 4 yin 3 man. 3 ― 1120 ― Good words are like a string of pearls. 好 語似珠 串一一 《Hao 3 yii 3 ssu 4 chu 1 ch r uan 4 yi 1 yi. 1 1121 "Petty distinctions are injurious to rectitude ； quib- bling words violate right reason." 小 辯 害 義。 小 言破道 Hsiao 3 pien 4 r hai 4 i 4 ； hsiao 3 yen 2 p ? o 4 tao. 4 1122 Tall talk is followed by no true action. 高 談 闊 諭。 沒有一 ，點 實 ， Kao 1 t r an 2 huo 4 lim， 4 mil 2 yu 3 yi 1 tien 3 shih 2 hsing. 2 1123 ― " As the light of a single star tinges the mountains of many regions ； so a single unguarded expression injures the virtue of a whole life." —舉^ 火 能燒萬 頃卒山 Yi 1 hsing 1 chih 1 c huo 3 neng 2 shao 1 wan 4 cluing 3 chih 1 shan 1 ； 半 句非言 誤 損 平生之 德 pan 4 chii 4 fei 1 yen 2 wu 4 sun 3 p^ing 2 sheng 1 chih 1 te. 2 1124 Plausible talk is not equal to honest speech ； and a clever man needs but few words. 巧 言不. 如直道 CMao 3 yen 2 pu 4 ju 2 chih 2 tao 4 ; m a 不 用細說 Ming 2 jea 2 pu 4 yung 4 hsi 4 shuo. 1 1125 Words may not be foolishly spoken ； what you say must accord with reason. 、声 不 袅發發 必 當 稱 I en 2 pu 4 wang 4 fa 1 ; fa 1 pi 4 tang 4 li. 3 WOEDS. 189 112S Who makes his strength cheap obtains men，s respect ； who makes his mouth cheap obtains their dislike. 力賤得 人敬。 口 賤 得人僧 Li 4 chien 4 te 2 jen 2 ching 4 ; k ? ou 3 chien 4 te 2 jen 2 tseDg. 1 1127 When you have anything to say, first think and then say it. 有所言 必議之 而後言 Yu 3 so 3 yen 2 pi 4 i 4 chih 1 erh 2 ^hoa 4 yen. 2 1128 He who seldom opens his moutli, often shuts his eyes. 少 開口。 多闭目 Shao 3 k^ai 1 k^ou, 3 to 1 pi 4 mu. 4 Note. 一 u Shuts his eyes" ； i, e. meditatively, thinking well before he speaks ~~ ； —— 1129 When troubles are few dreams are few ； "when words are scarce faults are scarce. ji 少夢 自少。 言豨 過亦豨 Lii 4 shao 3 meng 4 tzu 4 shao 3 ； yen 2 hsi 1 kuo 4 i 4 bsi. 1 1130 The pen can convey one's meaning for a thousand miles. 雩情 達千里 Pi 3 ch^ing 2 ta 2 ch^ien 1 li. 3 ― 1131 The mouth which boasts of the sea, utters big words. 誇海口 說大話 K^ua 1 ^bai 3 k ? ou 3 shuo 1 ta 4 ? hua. 4 SECTION X.— OH" LAW AND GOVERNMENT. CHAPTEE I. LAWS AND PENALTIES. 1132 Never beat if you must fine ； If you do， all fines decline. 罰就不 打。 打 就不罰 Fa 2 chiu 4 pu 4 ta y ; ta 3 chiu 4 pu 4 fa. 2 1133 Try you to defraud in customs and revenue ； The mandarins soon will try to be having you, m 闘 漏税。 拿着問 蟬 man 3 kuan 1 lou 4 shui 4 ; na 2 cho 2 wen 4 tsui. 4 1134 Whetlier you punish or reward, To friend or foe show no regard. 賞不論 寃 仇。 罰不 論骨. 肉 Shang 3 pu 4 lun 4 yiian 1 ch^ou, 2 fa 2 pu 4 lun 4 ku 3 jou. 4 1135 Decapitation, strangling, banishment, exile, and trans- portation, are regulations which may not be broken. 斬较軍 流徒法 不可犯 Chan 3 chiao 3 chun 1 liu 2 t《u， 2 fa 3 pu 4 k^o 3 fan. 4 1136 He who fears the laws will not break them ； lie who dreads punishment will escape it. 懼法自 不犯法 Chu 4 fa 3 tzu 4 pu 4 fen 4 fa 3 ; '畏 刑自可 免 刑 wei 4 hsing 2 tzu 4 kV mien 3 hsing. 2 LAWS AJSTD PENALTIES. 191 1137 In making laws, severity is indispensable; in adminis- tering them, clemency. 立法不 可不巖 Li 4 fa 3 pu 4 kV pu 4 yen 2 ; 行法不 可不恕 hsing 2 fa 3 pu 4 k^o 3 pa 4 shu. 4 ― 1138 One word settles life or death ； so tlie pen may not carelessly move. , —字定 生死。 肇奠亂 動 Yi 1 tzu 4 ting 4 sheng 1 ssu d ； pi 3 mo 4 Ian 4 tung. 4 1139 One word from a magistrate's pen may decide for life or death. 黑擎寫 白絨。 一字. 定生死 ^Hei 1 pi 3 hsieh 3 pai 2 chih, 3 yi 1 tzii 4 ting 4 sheng 1 ssu. 3 一 1140 He drew a line on the ground for a prison. 畫 她爲騸 ^Hua 4 ti 4 wei 2 yii. 4 Note. 一 This proverbial saying, referring to the obedient people of Wen wang^ s now used as the equivalent of pu kan tung (不 動) 1 1 dare not move.' 1141 Though, the sword of justice be sharp, it will not slay the innocent. 鋼刀 雖快。 不靳無 罪之人 Kang 1 tao 1 sui 1 k(uai， 4 pu 4 chan 3 wu 2 tsui 4 chih 1 jen. 2 1142 If gentle means fail, harsh, means will not. 善化 不足。 惡 化有餘 Shan 4 ^hua 4 pu 4 tsu ? ^ o 4 ，！ ma 4 yu 3 yii 2 . 1143 ' No punishment on the Bench, no law below it. 棻上 無邢。 案 下無法 An 4 shang 4 wu 2 hsing, 2 an 4 hsia 4 wu 2 fa. 3 CHAPTER II. LITIGATION. 1144： Happy is the man who himself alone arraigns ； With others go to law, youVe trouble for your pains. m 者 齊。 訟. 人者殃 Sung 4 hsin 1 che 2 hsiang 2 ； sung 4 jen 2 che 2 yang. 1 1145 With, only right to back you, Be sure the yamens lack you. 八 字衙門 朝南閼 Pa 1 tzu 4 ya 2 men 2 ch^ao 2 nan 2 Wai) 1 有理 無錢莫 進來 yu 3 li 3 wu 2 ch^ien 2 mo 4 chin 4 lai 2 . If the warrant omits your name, Take you no notice of the same. 榜上 無名. ^不獰 Pang 3 sbang 4 vvu 2 miiig, 2 chiao 4 pu 4 ying. 4 ― 1.147 It one family has a lawsuit, ten families are involved in calamity. 一家 有事。 建 累十家 Yi 1 chia 1 yu 3 shih, 4 lien 2 lei 3 shih 2 chia. 1 1148 The bite of a thief goes three inches into the bone. 賊咬一 口入 骨三分 Tsei 2 yao 3 yi 1 k^ou 3 ju 4 ku 3 san 1 fen. 1 Note. — This proverb refers to the false statements sometimes made by prisoners at the bar, charging others with complicity in their offences. LITIGATION. 193 1149 Inform against a man once, and three of his genera- tions will become your enemies. 吿人 一狀 三世寃 Kao 4 jen 2 yi 1 chuaag 4 san 1 shih 4 yuan. 1 1150 An indictment cannot be got up without lies. 無誑 不成詞 Wu 2 ? huarig 3 pu 4 ch^eng 2 ssu. 2 1151 If but one word of information against a man get into the court, nine bullocks cannot drag it out again. —字、 公門。 九牛 拖不出 Yi 1 tzu 4 ju 4 KuDg 1 men, 2 chin 3 niu 2 tW. pu 4 ch^u. 1 ― 11S2 Let householders avoid litigation ； for once go to law and there is nothing but trouble. 居寧难 爭訟。 訟則終 凶' Chii 1 chia 1 chieh 4 cheDg 1 sung 4 ; sucg 4 tse 2 chung 1 hsiung. 1 1153 Win your lawsuit and lose your money. v 廪了官 事輸了 錢 Ying 2 liao 3 kuan 1 shih 4 shu 1 liao 3 ch^ien. 2 一 1154= Winning a cat you lose a cow. 寧 了貓兒 輸了牛 Ying 2 liao 3 mao 1 erh 2 shu 1 liao 3 niu. 2 1155 "Nine lawsuits out of ten are settled by arbitration." t 場官事 九場和 Shih 2 ctfang 2 kuan 1 shih 4 chiu 3 ch^ang 2 ； ho. 2 1156 The plaintiffs charge makes the defendant seem worthy of death ； but the defendant's answer shows there is reason on both sides. 194 LAWS AND PENALTIES. 原吿一 張紙。 被吿 就要死 Yiian 2 kao 4 yi 1 chang 1 chih, 3 pei 4 kao 4 chin 4 yao 4 ssu 3 ； 被吿一 張紙。 兩 下都有 稗 pei 4 kao 4 yi 1 chang 1 chih, 3 Hang 2 hsia 4 tu 1 yu 3 li. 3 1157 His pen is as sharp as a sword. 擎 如刀利 Pi 3 Ao 2 tao 1 li. 4 Note. 一 Said of one who writes indictments. 1158 To retain some feeling in writing an indictment. 肇 下寧情 Pi 3 hsia 4 liu 2 cMng. 2 1159 Wishing to criminate, no difficulty will be met in finding a pretext. 欲加 之罪。 何 患無詞 Yii 4 chia 1 chih 1 tsui, 4 % 2 ^huan 4 wu 2 ssu. 2 llSp In life beware of yamens ； in death, beware of hell. 生 不入 宫門。 死不 ^ 埤獄 Sheng 1 pu 4 ju 4 kuan 1 men 2 ； ssu 3 pu 4 ja 4 ti 4 yii. 4 1161 On the magistrate's table a sheet of • paper ； at his feet a pair of lips. 堂上一 張紙. 。堂下 一張嘴 T^ang 2 shang 4 yi 1 chang 1 chih 3 ； t^ang^ hsia 4 yi 1 chang 1 tsui. 3 11S2 Before you arrest a magistrate, arrest his domestic. 拿官先 拿枣： r Na 2 kuan 1 hsien 1 na 2 chia 1 ting 1 . 1163 Three or six hundred cash ； two or four hundred cash ； cash for runners, and cash for clerks. 三六百 。二 四百。 差 費房禮 San 1 lu 4 pai 3 ； erh 4 ssu 4 pai° ； cb^ai 1 fei 4 fang 2 li. 3 Note. 一 u Hundred ，， in tliis connection is said a] ways to mean " thousand ！ ，， LITIGATION. 195 Though nine times you present an accusation, the last must agree with the first. 九狀不 離原詞 Chin 3 chuang 4 pu 4 li 2 yiian 2 ssu. 2 11S5 ~ ^ . He who can get up a lawsuit will have calls on Ms cash. 會. 打官司 也要錢 ^Hui 4 ta 3 kuan 1 ssu 1 yeh 3 yao 4 cMen. 2 ~~ ~~ 1166 You cannot get at the Emperor, to tell him your wrongs. 不 能見天 子言情 Pu 4 neng 2 chien 4 t^ien 1 tzu 3 yen 2 ch^ing. 2 1167 Of ten reasons by which a magistrate may decide a case, nine are unknown to the public. 宫飄十 條理九 條人不 S 口 Kuan 1 tuan 4 shih 2 Wao 2 li' 3 chia 3 t%o 2 jen 2 pu 4 chib. 1 CHAPTER III. CIVIL OFFICERS. ― ~~ - 1168 ― Whenever a neighbour office takes, The event a genral gladness makes. ，鄰 9 舍傲 官。 夭家喜 歡 Lin 2 she 4 tso 4 kuan, 1 ta 4 chia 1 hsi 3 ^uan. 1 ~ ~ 一 1169 ~ ~ - One dash of a civil magistrate's pen, Makes the martial magistrate jump again. JL 官點一 犖。 武官 扒不霹 Wen 2 kuan 1 tien 3 yi 1 pi, 3 wu 3 kuan 1 pa 1 pu 4 chi. 2 1170 The magistrate sitting to judge in court, Is helped by underlings of every sort. 官府坐 堂書差 衙役帮 忙 Kuan 1 fu 3 tso 4 t^ang, 2 shu 1 ch^ai 1 ya 2 yi 4 pang 1 mang. 1171 Do you wish to enjoy a peaceful state ― First settle all claims of the magistrate. 若 要安。 先完官 Jo 4 yao 4 an, 1 hsien 1 wan 2 kuan. 1 1172 Civil and martial mandarins must, One to his seal, one to his flag, trust. 文憑 印信。 武 憑號仓 Wen 2 p^ing 2 yin 4 hsin, 4 wu 3 p^ing 2 ? hao 4 ling. 4 1173 The two Commissioners of salt and grain, Keep, each of them, to his own domain. CIVIL OFFICERS. 197 鹽糧 雨。 道： 各管一 號 Yen 2 liang 2 Hang 2 tao, 4 ko 4 kuan 3 yi 1 { h&oJ 1174 With, friends at court, it is easy to get into office. 朝 中有 人， 好爲宫 Ch^ao 2 cbimg 1 yu 3 jen" 2 ? hao 3 wei 2 kuan. 1 二 1175 ~ Deceive but don't insult a mandarin. 瞞官 _ 莫欺官 Man 3 kuan 1 mo 4 cbi 1 kuan. 1 1176 An officers door is like a market-place ； his heart is like pure water. 臣 2 門。 市。 E Z\ 似 水 Ch K en men 2 ju 2 shli 7 4 cb'oir hirv- ssu 4 shai. 3 ~~ —— 1177 ― High office"i3 iiece^sarily dangerous. 官 m ^ m ° Kuan 1 kao 1 hsiea. 3 1178 ^ An honest magistrate cannot get on. 淸官不 到 頭 o CMng 1 kuan 1 pu 4 tao 4 t^ou. 2 1179 The civil magistrate takes his pen and pacifies the empire. 文 宫把 筆安^ T Wen 2 kuan 1 pa 3 pi 3 an 1 t r im l hsia. 4 11SO 一 The dignity of high office is widely known, 官 高欝顯 Kuan 1 kao 1 chiieb 2 hsien. 3 ― 11S1 A magistrate will not consider your poverty, nor the devil your leanness. 198 LITIGATION. 官 不 怕 你 窮。 鬼 不 怕 你 瘦 Kuan 1 pu 4 p(a 4 ni 3 ch^iimg, 2 kuei 3 pu 4 p^a 4 ni 3 shou. 4 Note. 一 The meaning of this caustic saying is, that the one will have your money and the other your life, 1182 An honest magistrate can hardly escape dishonest clerks. , m 官難逃 猾 吏手 CWing 1 kuan 1 nan 2 t^ao 2 4iua 2 li 4 shou. 3 ― —— 1183 - Men's hearts are like iron, and the rule of mandarins like a furnace. A 心 似 鐡。 宫 法如爐 Jen 2 hsin 1 ssii 4 t^ieh 3 ； kuan 1 fa 3 ju 2 lu. 2 1184 If the homes of the people are without learned sons, where are the magistrates to come from ？ 家無讀 書子。 官從 何處來 Chia 1 wu 2 tu 2 shu 1 tzu, 3 kuan 1 ts^ung 2 ^ho 2 a ch^u 4 lai 2 ？ ~ 1185 ' A mandarin must aim at being Premier, and so must begin early to contend for the first rank. 爲官須 作相。 及 第早爭 先 Wei 2 kuan 1 hsii 1 tso 4 hsiang, 1 chi 2 ti 4 tsao 3 cheng 1 hsien. 1 1186 The magistrate has his proper laws ； and the people their private agreements. 宫有 正條。 民 有私約 Kuan 1 yu 3 cheng 4 t^iao 2 ； min 2 yu 3 ssu 1 yo. 1 1187 A magistrate who is not a lord among his people, has received the Emperor's high distinction and pay in vain. 爲 宫不與 民作主 Wei 2 kuan 1 pu 4 yli 3 min 2 tso 4 chu, 3 枉。 受朝 廷 爵祿高 Wang 3 shou 4 ctfao 2 t^ing 2 cliiieh 2 lu 4 kao. 1 CIVIL OFFICEES. 199 1188 A wise man before a magistrate will be mute for a little while. 好瀵見 官三聲 © c Hao 3 (han 4 chien 4 kuan 1 san 1 sheng 1 ya. 3 1189 ― A poor mandarin equals a rich merchant. 窮 官 當富客 Ch'iung 2 kuan 1 tang 4 lu 4 k c o. 4 1190 He who takes office far from home only does so for a living. 千 里傲宫 只爲嘴 Ch^ien 1 li 3 tso 4 kuan 1 chih 3 wei 2 tsui. 3 1191 —— ~~ He who in higli station is without pride, is exalted without danger. 在上 不驗。 高 而不危 Tsai 1 shang 4 pu 4 chiao, 1 kao 1 erh 2 pu 4 wei, 2 1192 A man may display great ability in any office liigh or low ； a man without ability receives high, rank and pay in vain. 有才不 在宫大 小， Yu 3 ts^ai 2 pu 4 tsai 4 kuan 1 ta 4 hsiao 3 ; 無才柱 。受 爵祿高 wu 2 ts^ai 2 wang° shou 4 chiieh 2 lu 4 kao. 1 —— 1193 The Chih-fu can exterminate families ； the Chih- hsien can confiscate goods. 滅 門 纟口 府。 抄 家 i 口 縣 Mieh 4 men 2 chih 1 fu y ； ch^ao 1 cbia 1 chih 1 hsien. 4 1194 Even an honest Chih-fu may, during a three yeafs term of office, save ten myriad snow-white taels of silver. 200 CIVIL OFFICERS. —住淸 5S 口府 十萬 雪花銥 Yi 1 jen 4 ch^ing 1 Chih 1 fa 3 ehih 3 wan 4 I fin. 2 1195 Before he comes into office he reproTes a thousand faults ； after he comes into office he coniniits ike sstju3.6 himself, 未傲官 說。 千般， Wei 4 tsa 4 kiian 1 sbuo 1 cMen 1 paii A % 做了官 是一般 tso 4, liao 3 kuan 1 sbih 4 yi x pan. 1 119S There are three rules for men in office : be upright, be cautious, be diligent. 當官有 三事。 曰 淸。 曰慎。 曰勸 Tang 1 kuan 1 yu 3 san 1 shib 4 : yiieh 1 ebbing, 1 yiie^ 1 sben, 4 yiieh 1 ch^in. 2 —— ~~ Among magistrates there are distinctions of rank ； among their assistants, none. 官有大 小。 吏 無尊専 Kuan 1 yu 3 ta 4 hsiao 3 ； li 4 wu 2 tsun 1 pei. 1 1198 Better awe-inspiring police than awe-inspiring man- darins ； for if the police be not so, the mandarins will be lightly esteemed. 官威 不如衙 役威. Kuan 1 wei 1 pu 4 ju 2 ya 2 yi 4 wei 1 ； 衙 役不威 官就低 ya 2 yi 4 pu 4 wei 1 kuan 1 cliiu 4 ti. 1 1199 —— ~~ Magistrates innumerable beget sons to die of want ； whilst many unofficial men bear sons who turn out courtiers. » 無限 朱門生 殍餓， Wu 2 Men 4 chu 1 men 2 sheng 1 o 4 p^iao 3 ； 幾 多白屋 出朝郞 chi 3 to 1 pai 2 wu 1 cl^u 1 ctfao 2 lang. 2 CIVIL OFFICERS. 201 12〇〇 Neither dogs nor mandarins injure those who give them anything. 狗不咬 厨屎的 Kou 3 pu 4 yao 3 o 1 sui 1 ti 1 ; 官不打 送鱧的 kuan 1 pu 4 ta 3 sung 4 li 3 ti. 1 Note. 一 Tlii3 common and very suggestive proverb, is too coarse for any more literal translation than the 000 given above. ； ^ 1 I CHAPTEE IV. MILITARY OFFICERS. 1201 When against rebels a general does an army bring, His first endeavour ought to be to seize the rebel king. . 將軍上 戰場。 檎賊 $ 檎王 Chiang 1 chtiu 1 shang 3 chan 4 ch^ang, 2 chHn 2 tsei 2 hsien 1 ch^in 2 wang. 2 1202 Nailmakers don't good iron use ； Nor good men to be soldiers choose. 好鐡不 打釘。 好人 不當兵 ? Hao 3 t^ieh 3 pu 4 ta a ting 1 ； ^hao 3 jen 2 pu 4 tang 1 ping. 1 1203 Under a powerful general there are no feeble soldiers. 强 ^手 下無 p 兵 Chiang 2 chiang 1 shou 3 hsia 4 wu 2 jo 4 ping. 1 1204 The rank of general is open to the meanest born. 將 箪不怕 出身低 Chiang 1 chiin 1 pu 4 ctfu 1 shen 1 ti 1 1205 ： Though you kill ten thousand, you will have tliree thousand killed. 殺人一 萬。 自損三 千 Sha 1 jen 2 yi 1 wan, 4 tzu 4 sun 3 san 1 ch^ien. 1 1206 Armies are kept a thousand days to be used on one. 養軍 千. 日用 ^—朝 Yang 3 chiin 1 ch^ien 1 jih 4 yung 4 tsai 4 yi 1 cbao. 1 1207 ~ ； —— To rush on the foe at the point of the spear, is the mark of a truly brave man ； and the scholar who can move heaven and earth is wonderfully talented. MILITARY OFFICEES. 203 m 鋒 破敵具 個大膽 Cl^ung 1 feng 1 p ? o 4 ti 2 cheo 1 ko 4 ta 4 tan. 3 飒天 釋她方 是奇才 hsien 1 t^ien 1 chieh 1 ti 4 fang 1 shih 4 chi 1 ts^ai. 2 ― 1208 A great general is honoured everywhere. 大 將軍八 面威風 Ta 4 chiang 1 chiin 1 pa 1 mien 4 wei 1 feng. 1 1209 A (defeated) general never dismounts, so each soldier may flee where he pleases. . 將軍不 T 馬。 各 自奔前 程 Chiang 1 chiin 1 pu 4 hsia 4 ma, 3 ko 4 tzu 4 pen 1 ch f ien 2 ch^eng. 2 1210 ― A thousand soldiers are easily obtained ； one general is hard to find. ' 易得一 將難求 ChMen 1 pingL. i 4 te 2 ； yi 1 chiang 1 Dan 2 ch^iu. 2 —— ； ~~ 1211 ―. The martial magistrate draws his sword and puts down all rebellion. 武官 提刀定 干戈 Wu 3 kuan 1 t(i 2 tao 1 ting 4 kan 1 ko. 1 CHAPTER V. YAMENS AND YAMEN-RUNNEI^S. 1212 - As sheep drop into a tiger's jaw, Cash drops into an underling's paw. 錢 落 差手。 羊落虎 口 Ch r ien 2 lo 4 ch^ai 1 shou, 3 yarig 2 lo 4 ? hu 3 k^ou. 3 ― 1213 A police-runner's actions are subject to fate. Does he fear lest a shower should sprinkle his pate ？ 官 差. 不自由 。那 怕雨湫 頭 Kuan 1 ch^ai 1 pu 4 tzil 4 yu, 2 na 3 p r a 4 yii 3 lin 4 t ? ou. 2 1214 Though, the yamen be small the law is the same. 衙門雖 小 法 度一例 Ya 2 meD 2 Bui 1 hsiao 3 fa 3 tu 4 yi 1 li. 4 ' ― 1215 Yamens are deep as the sea, and their corruptions lofty as heaven. 衙 門 深 似 海。 弊病 大如天 Ya 2 men 2 shen 1 esu 4 r hai, 3 pi 4 ping 4 ta 4 ju 2 t^ien. 1 121S Official underlings see money as a fly sees blood. 公人見 錢如蒼 蠅見血 Kung 1 jen 2 chien 4 chMen 2 ju 2 ts^ang 1 ying 1 chien 4 hsieh. 3 1217 Yamen-runners must be very brave who can deceive, frighten, defraud, and extort. ^tt 嚇 騙詐 差膽夭 Hung 3 hsia 4 p^ien 4 cha 4 ch^ai 1 tan 3 ta. 4 Note. 一 See next proverb and note. 1218 —— "~ What paddy-fields and cotn-fields belong to the yamen ？ YAMEN AND YAMEN-RUOTTERS. 205 有麽衙 門田。 有麼 衙門地 Yu 3 mo 1 ya 2 men 2 t^ien, 2 yu 3 mo 1 ya 2 men 2 ti" Note. 一 This is the yamen-rumier's reply to the charge conveyed in the prece- ding proverb. 1219 However wrong the magistrate and his assistants may be, their messenger is not to be blamed. 官 差 吏差东 不差 Kuan 1 ch^a 1 li 4 ctfa 1 lai 2 jen 2 pu 4 ch^a. 1 1220 Those who follow mandarins eat mandarins, rice. 跟宫， 人吃官 A •Ken 1 kuan 1 jen 2 ch^ih 1 kuan 1 jen. 2 1221 Quickly" pay your taxes, even should that empty your purse ； then you will be most happy. 國課 早完。 卽 囊 橐無餘 Kuo 2 kV tsao^ wan, 2 chi 2 nang 2 t^o 4 wu 2 yu, 2 自 得至欒 tzu 4 te 2 chih 4 le. 4 1222 An inmate of a yamen may easily acquire merit. 公 門中好 行 KuDg 1 men 2 chung 1 ? hao 3 bsiu 1 hsing. 2 SECTION XI.— ON MAN. CHAPTER I. MANKIND. 1223 Take a hundred men, and you Will find all sorts and every hue. 人生一 百。 種 種色色 Jen 2 sheng 1 yi 1 pai, 3 chang 4 chung 4 se 4 se. 4 Note.- 1224： Man resembles the stump of a tree ； ~~ - Completely dependent on clothing is lie. 人是 樹樁。 全靠衣 m Jen 2 shih 4 shu 4 chuang, 1 cMen 2 k c ao 4 i 1 shang. 1 -Here is an idea worthy of the author of Sartor Resartus, 1225 Men are one in heart, and their hearts one in principle. 人同此 心。 心 同此 P Jen 2 t r ung 2 tz^u 3 hsin^ 1 hsin 1 t^ung 2 tz^u 3 li. 3 122S Who but the sages are free from faults? 人非聖 賢孰 能無過 Jen 2 fei 1 sheng 1 hsien 2 shu 2 neDg 2 wu 2 kuo 4< ? 1227 Of men there are good and bad, as of goods there are valuable and worthless. 人有 好歹。 貨 有高俾 Jen 2 yu 3 ? hao 3 tai, 3 ^huo 4 yu 3 kao 1 ti. 1 MANKIND. 207 1228 Man is the most intelligent of all creatures. 人爲萬 物之靈 Je^ 2 wei 2 wan 4 wu 4 chih 1 ling. 2 1229 So long as no favour ife sought, all men are equal ； as tlie place is level where water flows not. A 不 Jen 3 pu 4 水 不 Shui 3 pu 4 He who sits in， and alike men. 坐轎子 Tso 4 chiao 4 tzu 3 m 子 t^ai 2 chiao 4 tzu 3 求 ^ — 般大 ch^iu 2 jen 2 yi 1 pan 1 ta 4 ; ，枣一 般 平 liu 2 lai 2 yi 1 pan 1 p%g. 2 - 1230 they who carry, the sedan, are 也是人 yeb 3 shih 4 jen 2 ; 也晕人 yeh 3 shih 4 jen. 2 1231 All men have faces, as all trees have bark. A 办 有臉。 樹 樹有皮 Jen 2 jen 2 yu 3 lien, 3 shu 4 shu 4 yu 3 p^i. 2 1232 Man is heaven and earth, in miniature. 人身一 小 天 她 Jen 2 shen 1 yi 1 hsiao 3 t^ien 1 ti. 4 ― 1233 When in their lives are men satisfied ？ The aged may steal a little leisure. 人生 纟口足 何賒足 Jen 2 sheng 1 chih 1 tsu 2 ！ ho 2 shih 2 tsu. 2 人老偷 閑且自 閑 Jen 2 lao 3 t^ou 1 hsien 2 ch^ieh 3 shih 4 bsien. 2 CHAPTER II. DIFFEP^ENT KINDS OF MEN. (l) AGED MEN 1234 An aged man will always be, The jewel his his family. 家有老 是' 個蠻 Chia 1 yu 3 lao, 3 shih 4 ko 4 pao. 3 . 1235 Old trees become half empty at the core : Old men see all things clearer than before. 櫞老半 心空 A 老事 事通 Sha 4 lao 3 pan 4 hsin 1 k^ung 1 : jen 2 lao 3 shah 4 shih 4 t^ung. 1 1236 See the old man of eighty cutting dried reeds : For each day he does not die, fuel lie needs. A 十瑪老 砍黃蒿 Pa 1 shih 2 sui 4 lao 3 p ? o 4 ? huang 2 ^bao. 1 —日 不死 要柴燒 Yi 1 jih 4 pu 4 ssu 3 yao 4 ch^ai 2 shao. 1 1237 There is nothing like newness in clothes ； nothing like age in man. 衣莫 若新。 A 奠若故 I 1 mo 4 jo 4 hsin 1 ； jen 2 mo 4 jo 4 ku. 4 ； ~ 1238 Age lacks kindness, as dry weather dew. 人老無 人情。 天乾 镞露水 Jen 2 lao 3 wu 2 jen 2 cMng, 2 Wen 1 kan 1 wu 2 lu 4 shui. 3 1239 Aged men are virtuous. AGED MEN. 209 年 高有 fi Nien 1 kao 1 yu 3 te. 2 —— ~ 1240 一 ~~ ^ Better die ten years sooner, than live those years in poverty. 願 短十 年壽。 不可 老來. 貧 Yiian 4 tuan 3 shih 2 den 2 shou, 4 pu 4 k(o 2 lao 3 lai 2 . p f ing. 3 1241 An old man ready to depart. Lit. : The sun descend- ing the mountain sides. 下 山维日 頭 Hsia 4 shan 1 p^o 1 jih 4 t c ou. 2 . 1242 White hairs don t all disappear with, tlie old men, for we see them again on young men's heads. 白 髮不 隨. 老. 人去 Pai 2 fa 3 pu 4 sui 2 lao 3 jen 2 cb^ii, 4 看 看又 上少年 頭 k^an 4 k^an 4 yu 4 shang 3 shao 3 nien 2 t^ou. 2 ― 1243 I won't laugh at another for having grown old ； for that will assuredly happen to me. 莫 笑他人 老。 終 須 還 到 我 Mo 4 hsiao 4 t^a 1 jen 2 lao d ; chung 1 hsii 1 ? huan 2 tao 4 wo. 3 ― 1244 We remember riding on bamboos as boys, and lo ！ we are white with age. 少 年 II 竹 馬 shao 3 nien 2 chH 2 chu 2 ma, 3 又 是白頭 翁 k^an 4 k^an 4 yu 4 shih 4 pai 2 t^ou 2 wetig. 1 1245 On earth impartial justice is with the aged ； they will not show mercy to noble ofienclers. 得 s 二 Hpc 210 ON MAN. 公道世 間 惟 白 髮 Kung 1 tao 4 shih 4 cbien 1 wei 2 pai 2 fa 3 ; * A 頭上 不曾饒 kuei 4 jen 2 t^ou 2 shang 4 pu 4 tseng 2 jao. 2 1246 The older ginger and cinnamon are, the more pungent their flavour. 薑桂 之性愈 老愈辣 Chiang 1 kuei 1 chih 1 hsing 4 yii 4 lao 3 yii 4 la. 4 1247 If deferential to experienced old men, in perplexity you can rely on them. 屈志 老成急 則 可相倚 Ch^'d 1 chih 4 lao 3 ch f eng, 2 chi 2 tse 2 k《o 3 hsiang 1 i. 3 1248 At seventy a man is a candle in the wind. 七十 風前燭 CbH 1 shih 2 feng 1 ch^ien 2 chu. 2 1249 At eighty a man is hoar-frost on the tiles. 八十^ 上 霜 Pa 1 shih 2 wa 1 shang 4 shuang. 1 1250 He who won't take an old man's advice, will one day become a beggar. 不 信老 人言。 乞兒 有得傲 Pu 4 hsin 4 lao 3 jen 2 yen, 2 ch f i 3 erh 2 yu 3 te 2 tso. 4 1251 ~~ ； —— He must err grievously, who wont listen to aged men. 不 聽老. 人 言。 必 做 心 慌 事 Pu 4 t^iu 1 lao 3 jen 2 yen, 2 pi 4 tso 4 hsin 1 huang 3 shih. 4 BAD MEN. 211 (2) BAD MEN. 1252 A.liook attached to a ring : To him let nobody cling. 鈎打 連環。 沒 得人纒 Kou 1 ta 8 lien 2 r huan 2 : mu 2 te 2 jen 2 ch^an. 2 Note. 一 This is a specimen also of the innuendo, or as the Chinese call it 歇 後 語 ，hou yil Only the first four words are ever spoken ； the last four being always understood. The sense of this proverb is — Let nobody be deceiv- ed by him ； he is one of the lot. 1253 He who dare risk being made a mangled corse, May drag an emperor down from his horse. 捨 得 一 身 剮 She 3 te 2 yi 1 shen 1 kua, 3 皇 f 老子 挪下馬 f Huang 2 ti 4 lao 3 tzu 3 lo 2 hsia 4 ma. 3 His conduct is cruel, and he fights ； In cursing and swearing he delights, fr 凶打架 。開口 就 罵 Hsing 2 hsiung 1 ta 3 chia 4 k^ai 1 k ? ou 3 chiu 4 ma.' 1255 A barefaced wight, thinks everything right. 臉兒一 皮。 百 事大吉 Lien 3 erh 2 yi 1 p% 2 pai 3 shih 4 ta 4 chi. 2 1256 Whose teeth are white and visage yellow, Is an opium-smoking fellow. 面 黃牙 齒白。 必定 鴉片客 Mien 4 ^lmang 2 ya 2 ch% 3 po， 2 pi 4 ting 4 ya 1 p^ien 4 k^o. 4 1257 Where he has trodden no grass will grow. 212 ON MAN. 走 了 路不生 草 Tsou 4 liao 3 lu 4 pu 4 sheng 1 ts^ao. 3 —— - —— 1258 A rogue is soft as cotton ； a fool hard as iron. 光 棍 軟 如 綿 癡瀵硬 似 鐡 Kuang 1 kun 4 yuan 3 ju 2 mien 2 ； ch% 2 ！ ban 4 ying 4 ssu 4 t^ieh. 3 1259 A rogue fears a simpleton ； and a simpleton fears importunity. 光 棍 怕 眼子 眼子 怕 綿 纏 Kuaog 1 kan 4 p r a 4 yen 3 tzu 3 ; yen 3 tzu 3 p c a 4 mien 2 ch c an. 2 Note. ― The simpleton may spoil a rogue's plan ； and importunity is sure to result in the simpleton's being taken in. 12SO One rat may spoil the nest. 了 個老 鼠打壞 一 % m Yi 1 ko 4 lao 3 sbu 3 ta d ? huai 4 yi 1 ch^ao 2 tung. 4 1261 His heart is not upright whose eye looks askance. m 斜 心 不 正 len 3 hsieh 2 hsin 1 pu 4 cheng 4 1262 Amongst bullies there is always one more overbearing than the rest ； and bad men must be by bad men ground clown. 强 中 更有强 中手 CMang 2 chuDg 1 ken 1 yu 3 ch^iang 2 chung 1 shou 3 ; 惡 人須用 惡人磨 O 4 jen 2 hsii 1 yung 4 o 4 jen 2 mo. 2 1263 A tribe of foxes and dogs. 狐 羣 狗 黨 ( Hu 2 cl^iin 2 kou 3 tang. 3 1264： A vicious blackguard. Lit. ： One with a black heart and a rotten liver. BAD MEN. 213 黑. 心 斕 肝 ^Hei 1 hsin 1 lan 4 kan, 1 1265 A shameless man is ready for anything. A 無 廉 恥。 百事可 爲： Jen 2 wu 2 lien" 5 ch%/ pai 3 shih 4 k^o 3 wei. 2 1266 A lazy good-for-nothing. Lit. : One who goes slipshod in old shoes. 律及 半 頭 鞋 Sa 1 pan 4 tW 2 hsieh. 2 1267 Bad men are hated by all. Lit. : When a rat crosses the street, every one cries "Hit; him." 過 街 老 鼠齊降 打 Kuo 4 "chieh 1 lao 3 shu 3 ch ? i 2 chiao 4 ta. 3 1268 ― An untruthful man is iron without steel ； an untruth- ful woman is rotten grass and tangled hemp. 男兒 無信銶 鐡無鋼 Nan 2 erh 2 wa 2 hsin 4 tun 4 t^ieh 3 wu 2 kang 1 : 女兒 無信爛 萆麻. 瓤 nii 2 erh 2 wu 2 hsin 4 lan 4 ts^ao 3 ma 2 jang. 2 1269 A lying machine. 扯^ 考子 Ch^e 3 ^huang 3 clna 4 tzu. 3 1270 ― A lying; machine cannot enter a city gate. 扯 i 架子 進不 得城門 Ch^e 3 ^huang 3 chia 4 tzu 3 chin 4 pu 4 te 2 ch^eng 2 men. 2 1271 The skin of his face is as thick as a city wall. 臉 有城牆 厚 Lien 3 ya 3 ch^eng 4 ch^iang 2 《hou. 4 214 ON MAK 1272 A bad man will not confront a good man. 邪 不敵正 Hsieh 2 pu 4 ti 2 cheng. 4 Union of bad men. Lit. ： Dry fuel rears a blazing fire. 乾 柴 傍 烈 火 ^ Kan 1 ctfai 2 p^ang 2 lieh 4 ^huo. 3 1273 The disobedient provoke many stripes. 降 . 人多討 打 Chiang 4 jen 2 to 1 t ? ao 3 ta. 3 1274 YouVe put your bowels out of shape by swallowing a carrying-pole. 吃： r 匾担 撗了腸 子 CMh 1 liao 3 pien 3 tan 1 ^beng 4 liao 3 ch^aDg 2 tzu. 8 Note. 一 This is said to one who lias degenerated into a violent and cruel character. CLEVEE MEN. 215 (3) CLEVER MEN. ― 1275 Wiser than the emperor none can ever be ； Shrewder than the premier you can never be. 聰 ，莫 過淤^ 王 Ts^img 1 ming 2 鶴 4 kuo 4 yii 1 ti 4 wang : 2 伶 俐莫過 於宰相 Ling 2 li 4 mo 4 kuo 4 yii 1 tsai 4 hsiang. 1 127S In the wise and strong, There is nothing wrong. # B 月 ? 虽幹。 絲 毫不亂 Ching 1 ming 2 ch^iang 2 kan, 2 ssu 1 ^hao 2 pa 4 lan. 4 一 ±277 Half your talents are natural ; the other half acquired. 生 成一半 。學 成一半 Sheng 1 ch^eng 2 yi 1 pan 4 ; hsiao 3 ch^eng 2 yi 1 pan. 4 1278 A word is enough to a clever man. 晕， 白卢 說 得 就 矢口 Shih 4 ming 2 pai 2 jen 2 shuo 1 te 2 chin 4 chih. 1 1279 Clever men are often the servants of fools. 聰 明 .人 是 糊 塗 人的用 人 Ts^ung 1 ming 2 jen 2 shih 4 ^hu 2 t^u 2 jen 2 ti 1 yung 4 jen. 2 1280 A clever man needs few words ； as a drum but to be lightly beaten. 明 A 不用細 講 Ming 2 jeii 2 pu 4 yung 4 hsi 4 chiang. 3 齊鼓不 用重槌 hsiang 3 ku 3 pu 4 yung 1 chung 4 cMu. 2 216 ON MAN. ― 1281 Three fools equal one clever man ； three clever men equal one District magistrate. 三個愚 人當個 ，人 San 1 ko 4 yii 2 jen 2 tang 1 ko 4 ming 2 jen ； 2 三個 ，人 當個^ m san 1 ko 4 ming 2 jen 2 tang 1 ko 4 chih 1 hsien. 4 Clever for a lifetime ； foolish for a moment. 聰 明 一 生。 糊 塗一特 Ts^ung 1 ming 2 yi 1 sheng 1 ； ? hu 2 t^ii 2 yi 1 shih. 2 1233 A wise man can fill a thousand mouths ； a fool can only protect himself. 有智養 千口- 無智保 一 A Yu 3 chih 4 yang 3 ch^ien 1 k(ou 3 ； wu 2 chili 4 pao 3 yi 1 jen. 2 The wise are minislied by half ； and self-scrutinizing men are all gone. 的 者減半 。省 者全無 Chih 1 che 2 chien 3 pan 4 ； hsing 3 che 2 ch^ien 2 wu. 2 1285 The clever have more, the stupid less, than enough. 巧。 者有。 餘。 拙 者， 不足， Cli^iao 3 che 2 yu 3 yii/ chueh 2 ei^ 2 pu 4 tsu. 2 i2se A wise man needs three assistants. 好瀵要 三個帮 手 f Hao 3 ^han 4 yao 4 san 1 ko 4 pang 1 shou. 3 1287 The clever man sees, at a nod of the head. 明 入 點 頭 就 |口 Ming 2 jen 2 tien 3 t^ou 2 chiu 4 chih. 1 1288 ~~ Clever men are sometimes the dupes of their own cleverness. CLEVER MEN. 217 聰 明 反蒋聰 ， 悮 Ts^ung 1 ming 2 fan 3 pei 4 ts'ung 1 ming 2 wu. 4 1290 Dust never stains a highly-polished mirror ； nor do licentious vices generate in a mind enlightened with wisdom. m m 則 塵 埃不染 Ching 4 ming 2 tse 2 ch^en 2 ai 2 pu 4 jan 3 ； 智 明 則 邪 惡不生 chih 4 ming 2 tse 2 hsieh 2 o 4 pu 4 sheng. 1 1291 Let him do a thing once, and lie will surpass all others. 凡事閬 歴過一 回 Fan 2 shih 4 yiieh 4 li 4 kuo 4 yi 1 ? hui, 2 見 釋 總不同 .人 chien 4 ^shih 4 tsung 3 pu 4 t^ung 2 jen. 2 1292 Enlightened men do no dark deeds. 明人不 作暗事 Ming 2 jen 2 pu 4 tso 4 an 4 shih. 4 1293 A very cunning man. Lit.: A murex wearing a pagoda has one point above another. 螺 螩 頂 寶 塔 * 過 S Lo 2 shih 1 ting 3 pao 3 t ? a 3 chien 1 kuo 4 ting. 3 1294： ― —— A good drum does not require hard striking. 好 鼓不用 勸槌打 Hao 3 ku 3 pu 4 yung 4 chHn 2 clfui 2 ta. 3 1295 He lias met with his match. Lit. : The chess-player has met with a sturdy opponent ； the general has encountered a worthy foe. 218 ON MAN. 碁逢 敵手。 將 遇茛材 Ch^i 2 feng 2 li 2 shou d ; chiang 1 yii 4 liang 2 ts^ai. 2 129S Clever men pronounce sentence on themselves. m 人自斷 Ming 2 jen 2 tzu 4 tuan. 4 (4) CONCEITED MEN, 1297 He is little like men, and less like devils 三分不 像人。 七 分不像 ^ San 1 fen 1 pu 4 hsiang 4 jen, 2 cM 1 fen 1 pu 4 hsiang 4 kuei. 3 Note.— Said in contempt of a proud pretentious knave. 1298 A self-conceited bad man must have many errors. ^僻 自是。 悔 悮 必 多 Euai 1 pH 1 tzu 4 shih, 4 f hui 3 wu 4 pi 4 to* 1 ~~ —— 1299 ~~ —— His eye beholds an empty world ； within its range no man appears. 目 空一世 。眼 內無人 Mu 4 khmg 1 yi 1 shih 4 ; yen 8 nei 4 wu 2 jen. 2 1300 He looks on others as nonentities. 旁 若無人 I^ang 2 jo 4 wu 2 jen. 2 1301 Very fond of bragging. n 耍牌子 ^Hao 4 shim 2 p^ai 2 tzu. 3 CONCEITED MEN". 219 1302 Its a bragging rat that climbs the steelyards. 老鼠 }A 秤鈎 自稱自 Lao 3 shu 3 pa 1 ch^eng 3 kou 1 tzu 4 ch^eng 1 tzu. 4 ― 1303 One fond of wearing a lofty hat. 爱戴 高帽子 Ai 4 tai 4 kao 1 mao 4 tzd. 3 1304 The self-conceited come to grief ； the boastful are but fools. @ 満者敗 。自 矜者愚 Tzu 4 man 3 che 2 pai 4 ; tzu 4 ching 1 che 2 yu. 2 1305 A boastful fellow. Lit. : One fond of wearing an eel basket. 愛 舅歸 魚簍子 Ai 4 tai 4 Bhan 4 yii 2 lou 3 tzu. 3 ― 130S In his eye he has no superiors. 目 無萇上 Mu 4 wu 2 chang 3 shang. 4 1307 Proud talk. Lit. : When a toad gapes, what a mouth! and what breath ！ 癲 蝦嫫打 呵欠大 口夭氣 Lai 4 hsia 1 ma 1 ta 3 o 1 ch^ien 4 ta 4 k W ta 4 ch ? i 4 1 1303 The humble receive advantage ； the self-sufficient provoke loss. m 受 s 。鏽 招損 Chien 1 sbou 4 i 2 ； man 3 chao 1 sun. 9 1309 ― Heaven, Earth, Men and Spirits, all love the humble, not the proud ； to the humble is given happiness, to the proud calamity. 220 ON MAN. 天地 A 神俱 喜謙 不喜盈 Tien 1 ti 4 jen 2 shen 2 chu 4 hsi 3 ch^ien 1 pu 4 hsi 3 ying 2 : 謙者賜 $ 騮盈者 賜之禍 ch^ien 1 che 2 tz^u 4 chih 1 fu, 2 ying 2 che 2 tz^u 4 chih 1 ^huo. 4 Note. 一 " Though the Lord be HgL, yet hath he respect unto the lowly : the proud he knoweth afar off." Ps. 138 : 6. but 1310 Proud men are disgusting. Lit: The characters for 《self and c great' compose the character for ^stinking'. 自大是 個臭字 Tzu 4 ta 4 shih 4 ko 4 ch^ou 4 tzii. 4 1311 A lofty lamp-post lights what is distant, not what is near. —丈 八尺 高 的 燈 臺 Yi 1 chang 4 pa 1 chHh 3 kao 1 ti 1 teng 1 t^ai, 2 照遠 不照近 chao 4 yuan 8 pu 4 chao 4 chin. 4 Note. 一 This is said of one blind to his own, but not to the faults of other people. 1312 The humble reap advantage ； the haughty meet mis- fortune. 自 損者 ^自 釜者殃 Tzu 4 sun 3 che 2 i 2 ; tzu 4 i 2 che 2 yang. 1 DEFORMED MEN. 221 (5) DEFORMED MEN. 1313 From a dwarfish dwarf you'll hear, Nothing but the strange and queer. 矮 子矮。 一肚怪 Ai 3 tzu 3 ai， 3 yi 1 tu 3 kuai. 4 1314 To pry into what's said the deaf aro too prone ； The dumb cannot bear to let talking alone. 聾 子愛打 剎。 啞卩 /\ 愛說 話 Lung 2 tzu 3 ai 4 ta 3 cWa 4 ; ya 3 pa 1 ai 4 shuo 1 ^hua. 4 1315 The thougHts of the blind are like a knife. -唪 子& 思像一 把刀 Hsia 2 tzu 3 hsin 1 ssu 1 hsiang 4 yi 1 pa 3 tao. 1 1316 The blind get led, and the lame supported. 降 子有. 人 牵。 跛子 有人扶 Hsia 2 tzu 3 yu 3 jen 2 cMen, 1 p^o 3 tzu 3 yu 3 jen 2 fu. 2 1317 When one blind man leads several blind men, before long all will fall into a fire pit. 7 盲引 衆盲。 相將 入火坑 Yi 1 mang 2 yin 3 chung 4 mang, 2 hsiang 1 chiaog 1 ju 4 ^huo 3 k^eng. 1 1318 When the blind lead the blind, they will certainly fall into a ditch. 瞎. Q 子棧 扶瞎子 Hsia 2 tzu 3 ch^an 1 fu 2 hsia 2 tzu, 3 未 必不棹 下钪處 wei 4 pi 1 pu 4 tiao 4 hsia 4 k^eng 1 c¥u. 4 Note.——" If the blind lead the blind, both shall Ml into the dUcli." Matt. 15: 14. 222 ON MAN. 1319 The blind are quick at hearings the deaf are quick at sight. 瞽者 善聽。 聾 者善視 Ku 3 che 2 shan 4 t^irig, 1 lung 2 che 2 shan 4 shih. 4 1320 ~ ~" ； ~ Dumb men are' fond of making signs. © tvi 好做 顧 m Ya 3 pa 1 ? hao 4 tso 4 ku 4 tien. 3 1321 When a dumb man sees his mother, he wants to speak but cant. ^ © PA 見 娘有話 說不出 Ya 3 pa 1 chien 4 niang 2 yu 3 ^hua 4 shuo 1 pu 4 ch'u. 1 1322 Couldn't Wu Ta Lang, get a living ？ 武 大郞不 過曰子 Wu 3 Ta 4 LaDg 2 pu 4 kuo 4 jih 4 tzii 3 ? Note. 一 Wu Ta-lang、 a notorious dwarf of the Sung dynasty, was less than the least of dwarfs, yet seems to have made his way in the world. jEIence tbi proverb, used by dwarfs when repelling banter. EXCITABLE AND ANXIOUS ME1ST. 223 (6) EXCITABLE AND ANXIOUS MEN. 1323 Men in a flurry from morning to night, Seldom are seen to continue all right. 朝 也 忙 暮 也 忙 Chao 1 yeh 3 mang 2 mu 4 yeh 3 mang 2 那 萆 忙 .人 得 A 長. Na 3 chien 4 mang 2 jen 2 te 2 chiu 3 ch^ang. 2 1324 ~~ —— An excitable, restless man. Lit.: One for whom no ti-chH was burnt in his ante-natal life. 前世未 燒地契 CMen 2 shih 4 wei 4 shao 1 ti 4 cM. 4 Note. 一 The ti-cJH is the deed of purchase of the grave written for the dead, and burnt at his funeral by a son or relative. It is supposed that one of the three souls (^^) of the departed takes this document to Yen Wang (閻 王)， or Pluto, for his seal ； thereupon the grave is secured against violation, and the soul (^^) which is supposed to reside therein, secured in peaceful possession* That such a paper should not have been burnt at the close of a former life, is though* sufficient to account for any amount of giddiness and restlesness, any person so neglected may display in this. ― 1325 ― Flurried men lack wisdom. 忙 ^ 無智 Mang 2 jen 2 wu 2 chih. 4 132S He has the head of a cat, the eyes of a rat. 貓 頭 鼠 眼 Mao 1 t c ou 2 shu 3 yen. 3 1327 An unsettled person. Lit.: One who now wishes to be off to Nankin to buy horses, and anon to Peking to buy office. 想 到 南 京買馬 Hsiang 3 tao 4 Nan 2 ching 1 ma" ma, 3 J 又， 想 北. ^ 賈 官 yi" hsiang 3 Pei 3 ching 1 mai 3 kuan. 1 224 ON MAN. 1328 He cannot wait till his cake gets heated. 火裡 燒粑等 不得熱 ^Huo 3 li 3 shao 1 pa 1 teng 3 pu 4 te 2 shu. 2 1329 He may sit in a tub of cold water, and it will emit no steam. 坐在冷 水盆裡 不起氣 Tso 4 tsai 4 leng 3 shui 4 p^en 2 li 3 pu 4 cM 3 ch^i. 4 Note. 一 Said of a sluggish individual ； one not excitable. ~~ 1330 Anxious as the men of ChH who feared the heavens might fall. >& 多過慮 。如祀 人憂天 Hsin 1 to 1 kuo 4 lti, 4 ju 2 Ch^i 3 jen 2 yu 1 t^ien. 1 ~ 1331 ― An anxious individual. Lit.: One who is afraid that his bones should decay before he is dead. 人還未 有宛。 怕爛了 骨頭' J en 2 ^huan 2 wei 4 yu 3 ssu, 3 p ? a 4 lan 4 liao 3 ku 3 t^ou. 2 1332 The same. Lit: One who is afraid that his eyes should decay before he is dead. A 未 死。 怕 先 爛 眼 睛 Jen 2 wei 4 ssu, 3 p c a 4 hsien 1 lan 4 yen 3 ching. 1 1333 One who fears the falling leaves will break his head. 樹 葉棹了 怕 打 破 ，頭 Shu 4 yeh 4 tiao 1 liao" p^a 4 ta^ j/o 4 t'ou. 2 1334 One who fears the falling dust will crack his skull. ，揚塵 ^下 來。 怕 打 破 腦 51 Y ang 2 ch^en 2 tiao 4 bsia 4 lai, 2 ta 3 pV nao 3 k^o. 1 GOOD MEN. 225 1335 Early risers are in jolly spirits ； anxious thinkers have enfeebled health. 早 起精 神 爽。 思 多血窣 衰. Tsao 3 chH 3 ching 1 shen 2 shuang 1 ； ssii 1 to 1 hsieh 3 ctfi 4 shuai. 1 (7) GOOD MEN. 1336 One good man represses a hundred bad ones. — 正 壓買 f|5 Yi 1 cheng 4 ya 1 pai 3 hsieh. 2 1337 Good men suffer nmclu 好 .人 多磨 難 ^Hao 3 jen 2 to 1 mo 2 nan. 2 1338 Virtuous men are a kingdom's treasure. f 爲國家之寳 Hsien 2 wei 2 kuo 2 chia 1 chih 1 pao. 3 1339 There are straight trees on the mountains, but no straight men in the world. 山 中 有直樹 。世上 無直^ Shan 1 chung 1 yu 3 chih 2 shu, 4 ehih 4 sharig 4 wa 2 chih 2 jen. 2 1340 ― Good men get cheated ； as good horses get ridden. A 善^ A 欺 竭善被 A 1 Jen 2 shan 4 pei 4 jen 2 cb^i, 1 ma 3 shan 4 pei 4 jen 2 ch r \. 2 1341 Pretty things and good men are difficult to make. ，好 看難傲 。好 瀵 難傲 ^Hao 3 k c an 4 nan 2 tso， 4 (hao 3 ^han 4 nan 2 tso. 4 226 ON MAN. 1342 Men join themselves to the good, but separate from the bad 好. 人 桕 逢。 惡. 人 相離 Hao 3 jen 2 hsiang 1 fSng, 2 o 4 jen 2 bsiang 1 1L 2 1343 He is a good fellow who can endure wrong. 吃得虧 是好瀵 GKih 1 te 2 Wuei 1 shih 4 ? hao 3 ^ban. 4 1344 —— ~ A good fellow will stick to his bargain. 好 瀵傲事 好瀵當 ? Hao 3 (han 4 tso 4 shih 4 ^hao 3 化 an 4 tang. 1 1345 True gold fears no fire. 矚金 不怕火 Chen 1 chin 1 pu 4 p^a 4 Tmo. 3 1346 An honest man. Lit.: One who tells true fortunes. 算老實 命辨. 人 Suan 4 lao 3 shih 2 ming 4 ti 1 jen. 2 1347 The same. Lit: An uncoloured man. 本色人 Pen 3 se 4 jen. 2 134:8 Good men are one in a hundred. 世上 好人百 中選一 Shih 4 sliang 4 ^hao 3 jen 2 pai 3 chung 1 hsien 3 yi. 1 1349 There are two good men ― one dead, the other unborn. 有兩 好人。 一个死 了一 个未 生 Yu 3 liang 2 (hao 3 jen, 2 ― yi 1 ko 4 ssii 3 liao, 3 yi 1 ko 4 wei 4 sheng. 1 GOOD MEN. 227 1350 An innocent man fears nothing. Lit. : He who is free from fever fears not to eat water-melons. 心 裡無 冷痫。 那 f& 吃西瓜 Hsin 1 ni 3 wu 2 leng 3 ping, 4 】ia 3 p f a 4 ch^ih 1 hsi 1 kua. 1 1351 His goodness will appear by and by. Lit : As the water recedes the stones appear. 7}< 退石出 Shui 3 t^ai 4 shih 2 ch^ii. 1 1352 Filial, disinterested, and upright men, are honored by all. 孝廉 方正。 冬 人奉敬 Hsiao 4 lien 2 fang 1 cheng, 4 jen 2 jen 2 feng 4 ching. 4 1353 ― "~ ― He is one who pursues a pig in a passage, going and coming in a straight course. 卷華 趕猪。 直 來直去 Hsiang 4 li 3 kan 2 chu, 1 chih 2 lai 2 chih 2 ch^ii. 4 1354 His words command general assent whose conduct is upright and unwavering. 行得正 。坐 得穩。 出 言人皆 準 Hsing 2 te 2 cheng, 4 tso 4 te 2 wen, 3 eh^a 1 yen 2 jen 2 chieh 1 chun 3 . 1355 Good men are not to be found amongst bad ones. Lit" Out of an indigo vat you can't draw white calico. 靛缸裡 拉不出 白布來 Tien 4 kang 1 li 5 la 1 pu 4 ch^u 1 pai' 2 pu 4 lai. 2 228 ON MAN. (8) HYPOCRITES. ― 135S ' The man who pretends to be deaf and dumb, May have no truth, but of lies will have some. 装 聾 作 婭。 無蓂有 假 Chnang 1 lucg 2 tso 4 ya, 3 wu 2 chen 1 yu 3 chia. 3 13S7 When a beggar is out onights, it is all a pretence of being busy. 告花子 走 夜路。 都是假 忙 Kao 4 ^hua 1 tzu 3 tsou 4 yeL 4 lu, 4 tu 1 sMh 4 chia 3 mang. 2 ' 1358 He is a mock sportsman who slings a dead rat in his girdle. 腰稱撇 一個死 老鼠假 充 打獰^ Yao 1 li 3 p^ieh 1 yi 1 ko 4 ssii 3 lao 3 shu, 3 chia 3 ctfuDg 1 ta 3 lieh 4 ti. 1 1359 His mouth, is sweet as honey ； his posteriors biting as ginger. 嘴裡掰 如蜜。 屁股鍊 似 薑 Tsui 3 li 3 tHen 2 ju 2 mi 4 ； p《i 4 ku 3 la 4 ssil 4 cbiang. 1 1360 In the East he eats clogs head, in the West sheep's head. 東邊吃 狗頭。 西邊 吃羊頭 Tung 1 pien 1 chHh 1 kou 3 t f ou， 2 Lsi 1 pien 1 ch^ih 1 yang 2 t ? ou. 2 13S1 , Superior man before folk ； mean man in secret. 明 @ 君子。 暗 爲 小 A Ming 2 、vei」 chiin 1 tzu, 3 an 4 wei 2 hsiao 3 jen. 2 HYPOCRITES. 229 1362 Saint outside, devil inside. Lit, : To have the mouth, full of Benevolence, Eighteousness, Eeason, and Virtue ； but to be in heart thief or whore. ― 口仁 義道德 Yi 1 kW 3 jen 2 i 4 tao 4 te 2 ； 肚裡男 盜女娼 ta 3 li 3 nan 2 tao 4 nii 2 ctfang. 1 ~ —— 1363 When you see a cold-eyed man laugh, all over his face, lie is secretly hiding a murderous sword in his heart. f . 人冷眼 笑一面 CWen 4 jen 2 leng 3 yen 3 hsiao 4 yi 1 mien, 4 心 中暗藏 殺. 人刀 hsin 1 chung 1 an 4 ts^ang 2 sha 1 jen 2 tao. 1 ~~ - —— 1.3 & 4= A laughing Ts，ao-Ts，ao. 笑面孔 曹操 、 Hsiao 4 mien 4 k c ung 3 Ts^ao 2 Ts^ao. 1 Note. 一 A pleasant but cra^y fellow, like Ts 9 ao 2，s'ao of 3an-kuo notoriety. 1365 A false superior man ； but a true mean man, 僞. 君子眞 小 .A Wei 4 chiin 1 tzfi 3 clien 1 hsiao 3 jen. 2 1366 Outside he wears a sheep's skin, inside lie hides a wolfs heart. 外 披 羊皮。 內藏痕 心 Wai 4 p f i x yang 2 p% 2 nei 4 ts^ang 2 laiig 2 hsin. 1 Note. 一 tc Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matt. 7 : 15. 1367 His mouth is sweet as honey ； his heart as venomous as a snake. . 口裏^ 如 蜜。 心 墓毒似 蛇 K ( ou 3 li 3 t c ien' 2 ju 2 mi 4 ; hsin 1 li 3 ta 2 ssu 4 she. 2 230 ON MAN. 1368 One mouth with two tongues. 一鹦 兩舌頭 Yi 1 tsui 3 liang 3 she 2 t^ou. 2 1369 ~~ —— A fox assuming a tiger's terror, 狐 假虎威 c Hu 2 chia 3 ^bu 3 wei. 1 1670 Sweet-melon lipped ； bitter-melon hearted. 雜瓜 兒嘴。 苦瓜 兒心 T^ien 2 kua 1 erh 2 tsui J ； k《u 3 kua 1 erb 2 hsin. 1 1371 He has the mouth, of a Buddha, the heart of a snake. 佛 ；口 蛇 心 Fu 2 kW she 2 hsin. 1 1372 Like a lamp-stand, he lights others but not himself. 屬燈臺 的。 照 別 K 不 照 自 己. Shu 3 teng 1 t^ai 2 ti, 1 chao 4 pieh 2 jen， 2 pu 4 chao 4 tzu 4 cbi. 3 (9) RICH AND POOF^MEN. (see section on wealth.) (10) STUPID MEN. 1373 Whilst the dolt is allowed to dine, The cunning knave is left to pine. 癡 癡杲杲 討個飽 Ch% 2 cMh 2 tai 1 tai 1 t^ao 3 ko 4 pao, 3 刁 刁掘掘 餓得好 Tiao 1 tiao 1 chiieh 2 cliiieh 2 o 4 to 2 ? hao. 3 EICH AND POOR MEN". 231 1374 He, like a camel in his might, Prefers the heavy to the light. 他是個 駱駝形 T^ 1 shih 4 ko 4 lo 4 t ? o 2 hsing, 2 铊 重 不铊輕 t V chung 4 pu 4 t c o x ch^ing. 1 1375 ~ —— Of wit and wisdom entirely free, Dog to another man lie must be. 才智 無有。 爲 人走狗 Ts^ai 1 chih 4 wu 2 yu,^ wei 2 jen 2 tsou 4 kou. 3 137S Stupid fool ！ he lets one of his water-buckets fall, And rushes on as if nothing had happened at all. 懵裏懵 情 祧 擔水捅 Meng 1 li 3 meng 1 tung 3 t^iao 1 tan 1 shui 3 t ? ung, 3 落： r 一隻 又 往前踵 Lo 4 liao 3 yi 1 chih 1 yu 4 wang 3 cMen 2 chung. 3 1377 You're thick enough for a p'orridge. 糊 塗成羹 ? Hu 2 t^u 2 ch^eng 2 keng. 1 1378 An ignoramus. Lit. : You cannot blow up a fire through, a solid stick. 稈麪棍 吹火一 竅不 通 Kan 2 mien 4 kun 4 ch^ui 1 ^mo 3 yi 1 ch^iao 4 pu 4 tiling. 1 ' ― 1379 —— ； ~ Bore as one will, the pricker will not enter. 使鑽子 鑽不動 Shih 3 tsuan 1 tzu 3 tsuan 1 pu 4 tung. 4 kotb. 一 This is said to one intensely stupid. Nothing can be got into him. 1380 A stupid bundle of dregs. ，糊 塗 1 包渣 'Ha 2 tu 2 yi 1 pao 1 cha. 1 232 ON MAN. 1381 An ox - leather lantern. 牛 皮的燈 籠 Niu 2 p p i 2 ti 1 teng 1 lung. 2 1382 A wooden man. 木頭人 Mu 4 tW jen. 2 —— 13S3 —— A fool. Lit : One hundred, sixty, and ninety. 百六九 Pai 3 lu 4 chiu, 3 1384： The same. Lit. : Three eighty-threes. 三个 八十三 San 1 ko 4 pa 1 shih 2 san. 1 1385 The same. Lit. •• Two hundred and fifty. . 二百五 Erh 4 pai 3 wu. 3 1386 The same. Lit. ； The fourth of a thousand cash. — 串 錢四開 Yi 1 ctfuan 4 chHen 2 ssu 4 k^ai. 1 1387 Black as pitch and ink. 鳥 漆墨黑 Wu 1 cM 1 mo 4 ^hei. 1 note.— This is said as well of a dark night, as of a dark mind. 13S8 Having eyes he yet cannot recognize gold inlaid with jewels. 有 眼 不 誡* 金. 鑲玉 Yu 3 yen 3 pu 4 sbih 4 chin 1 hsiang 1 yii. 4 RICH AND POOR MEN, 233 1389 One who has not yet opened his eyes. 沒有 開過眼 S 來的 Mu 2 yu 3 k^ai 1 kuo 4 yen 3 k^ung 3 lai 2 ti. 1 NOTE. 一 Said of a stupid, raw fellow, who wonders at every thing he sees. 1390 One who looks brighter then lie is. Lit. •• A bright- eyed blind man. 光 眼瞎子 Kuang 1 yen 3 hsia 2 tzu. 3 1391 One who mistakes a teapot for a chamber-pot. 把茶壺 當夜壺 Pa 3 ch^a 2 ? hu 2 tang 4 yeh 4 ^u. 2 ― —— 1392 = Who sits in a well to observe the sky does not see very much. 坐 井觀 天所 見不大 Tso 4 ching 3 kuan 1 Wen 1 so 3 cbien 4 pu 4 ta. 4 note. —Said of an illiterate ignoraut man, whose sphere of observation is naturally limited. 1393 He won't buy soy with money for vinegar. 打酷的 錢不買 醬 油 Ta 3 ts(u 4 ti 1 clfien 2 pu 4 mai 3 chiang 4 yu. 2 Note. 一 Said of one who is so stupid as not to see that it does not matter with which particular money he buys anything, so long as he buys it at all. 1394 Fools are unequal to great undertakings. Lit.: You cannot serve dogs flesh, at a banquet. 狗. 肉 上不 得正埤 Kou 3 jou 4 shang 3 pa 4 te 2 cheng 4 Lsi. 2 1395 A good-for-nothing. Lit.: He can make nothing out, either in literature or soldiery. 習 文 不成。 f 武不就 Hsi 2 wen 2 pu 4 cb^eng, 2 Lsi 2 wu 3 pu 4 chin. 4 234 ON MAN. 139S The more stupid the more happy. 、越 不 聰 明反 快 活 Yiieh 4 pu 4 ts^ung 1 ming 2 fan 3 k^uai 4 ? huo. 2 1397 If water be too clear it will contain no fish. ； and if a man be too parsimonious lie will not be wise. 水本镩 則 無 魚 Shui 3 i r ai 4 c&ing 1 tse 2 wu 2 yii, 2 人太緊 則無智 jen 2 t r ai 4 chin 3 tse 2 wu 2 chih. 4 1398 A goose. Lit : One wlio meeting a bonze cries out 6 Brother-in-law/ 逢 到 和 尙 喊 姊 夫 Feng 2 tao 4 ? ho 2 shang 4 《han 3 chieli 3 fu. 1 1399 A merciful man is not stupid ； a stupid man cannot show mercy. 饒， 人不 是癡瀵 Jao 2 jen 2 pu 4 sbih 4 cVih 2 ^ban 4 ; 癡 瀵 不會饒 A ctfih 2 ? haD 4 pu 4 《hui 4 jao 2 jen. 2 14〇〇 One unable to distinguish between right and wrong. Lit.: A fleshy, pupil-less eye. 肉 眼無珠 Jou 4 yen 3 wu 2 chu. 1 SUPERIOR AND MEAN MEN. 235 (11) SUPEIOi\_AND MEAN MEN. ― ~~ ― 1401 The friendship of superior men is like water thin and pure ； Without constant interchange of feasts mean men's friendship can't endure. 君 子之交 淡如水 Chiin 1 tzu 3 chih 1 chiao 1 tan 4 ju 2 shui 3 : 小 卢之交 嘴換鹦 Hsiao 3 jen 2 chih 1 chiao 1 tsui 3 ^huan 4 tsui. 3 1402 Honour maketh more humble superior men ； But avoidance the mean man resenteth again. 君 子， 敬 之 則 不 勝 Chiin 1 tzil 3 ching 4 chih 1 tse 2 pu 4 sheng, 4 小 ^遠之 則 怨 Hsiao 3 jen 2 ytian 3 chih 1 tse 2 yiian. 4 —— ~ 1403 The superior man but one word needs ； One lash is enough for fiery steeds. 君子一 言。 快馬一 鞭 Chiin 1 tzil 3 yi 1 yen 2 ； k^aai 4 ma 3 yi 1 pien. 1 1404 The superior man contents himself in poverty's estate; The intelligent man submits himself to all that is his fate. 君子 安貧。 達, 人 纟口命 Chiin 1 tzu 3 an 1 p^in 3 : ta' 2 jen 2 chih 1 ining. 4 ― 1405 There are plenty of men, but few superior men. 人多君 子稀 Jen 2 to 1 chiin 1 tzu 3 hsi. 1 ~ 140S Though poor the superior man is not fearful. 236 ON MAN. 君 子雖寒 而不顫 Chiin 1 tzu 3 sui 1 ！ han 2 erh 2 pu 4 ch^an. 4 ― 1407 One evening's conversation with a superior man, is better than ten years of study. 共 君一 夜話。 勝讒十 . 年睿 Kung 4 chiin 1 yi 1 yeh 4 %ia， 4 sheng 4 tu 2 shih 2 nien 2 shn. 1 1408 ― The superior man speaks beforehand, not when all is over. 君子。 言 4 前 不言 後 Chiin 1 tzu 3 yen 2 ch^ien 2 pu 4 yen 2 c hou. 4 1409 The superior man's life is at the service of Heaven. 大 丈夫. 性命 交淤天 Ta 4 chang 4 fu 丄 hsing 4 ming 4 chiao 1 yii 2 t^ien. 1 ~~ 1410 An equal combination of elegance and plainness is the fashion of the superior man. 文 質寧彬 君子樣 WeD 2 chih 2 pin 1 pin 1 chiin 1 tzu 3 yang. 4 1411 A superior man breaks off a friendship without any unpleasant words. 君子 絕交不 出惡言 Chiin 1 tzii 3 chiieh 4 chiao 1 pu 4 ch^u 1 o 4 yen. 2 1412 The superior man avoids intoxicated people. 君子 避酒客 Chun 1 tzii 3 pi 4 chiti 3 k^o. 4 1413 If the superior man desires wealth, he gets it in a proper fasliion. 君子愛 財取之 有道 Chun 1 tzu 3 ai 4 ts^ai 2 chih 1 yu 3 tao. 4 SUPERIOR AND MEAN ME^ 237 1414： In the wide world men are numberless ； but where is the superior man ？ 茫茫 四辦. 人無數 Mang 2 mang 2 ssu 4 ? bai 3 jen 2 wu 2 shu 4 ； 那 個男兒 是丈夫 na 3 ko 4 nan 2 erh 2 shih 4 chang 4 fu 1 % 1415 In liquor yet not loquacious, marks a true superior man ； just, in respect of wealth, proves one of su- perior virtue. 酒 中不語 眞君子 Chiu 3 chung 1 pu 4 yii 3 cheii 1 chiin 1 tzil 3 : 財 上分明 大丈夫 ts(ai 2 shang 4 fen 1 ming 2 ta 4 chang 4 fu. 1 1416 When a matter is over, men recognise the superior man. 過後 思 君 子 Kuo 4 ? bou 4 ssu 1 chiin 1 tzil. 3 —— ― 1-4:17 Eight moves the superior man, profit the mean man. 義動 君子。 利 動 小 A I 4 tung 4 chiin 1 tzu, 3 li 4 tung 4 hsiao 3 jen. 2 - ~~ 1418 The superior mans friendship is tliin as water ； the mean man's sweet as honey. 君子羊 交 淡如氷 Chiin 1 tzu 3 chih 1 chiao 1 tan 4 ju 2 shui 3 ； 小 A. ^ 交 掰' 郎 蜜 hsiao 3 jen 2 chih 1 chiao 1 Wen 2 ju 2 mi. 4 14zl9 一 He is a true superior man wlio gives coals in snowy weather : he is a mean man who adds flowers to embroidery. 雪 /裡 送炭 眞君子 Hsiieh° li 3 sung 4 t^an 4 cben 1 chiin 1 tzu 3 : m 上 添 花 是 小 a chin 3 sLang 4 Wen 1 ^ua 1 shih 4 hsiao 3 jen. 2 238 ON MAN. 1420 The superior man is happy in being such ； the mean man is mean to no purpose. 君 子樂得 傲君子 Chun 1 tzii 3 le 4 te 2 tso 4 chiin 1 tzu 3 ; 小 人枉自 傲小人 Mao 3 jen 2 wang 3 tzu 4 tso 4 hsiao 4 jen. 2 1421 A man with, a big head is a superior man ； one with big feet is a mean man. 頭大是 君子。 脚大 是小人 TW ta 4 shih 4 chiin 1 tzu 8 ； chiao 3 ta 4 shih 4 hsiao 3 jen. 2 1422 The superior man is able to bear with, others ； the mean man clierislies an envious spirit. 君 子有容 A . 量 Chiin 1 tzu 3 yu 3 yung 2 jen 2 chih 1 Hang 2 ； 小 A 存 忌 ^ ^ 心 hsiao 3 jen 2 ts r an 2 chi 4 koa 4 chih 1 hsin. 1 1423 The superior man eats for the taste ； the mean man gorges himself to death and is not satisfied. 君子^ 滋 降。 小 .人 脹 死不足 Chiin 1 tzu 3 ch'ih 1 tzu 1 wei 4 ； hsiao 3 jen 2 chaag 4 ssu 3 pu 4 tsu. 2 1424 Propriety rules the superior man ； law rules the mean man. 鱧治 君子。 法， 治 小 A Li 3 chih 3 chiin 1 tzu J ； fa, 3 chih 3 hsiao 3 jen. 2 1425 He whose virtues exceed his talents is the superior man ； he whose talents exceed his virtues is the mean man. 德勝 才 爲君子 ie 2 sheDg' 1 ts^ai 2 wei 2 chiin 1 tzu 8 ； ^ 勝 徳 爲 >> A ts^ai 2 sheng 4 t