Ingenuity, needlework

By / 06-15-2017 / (Chinese Social Sciences Today)

聪者听于无声,明者见于未形
A person with good hearing can hear what others do not; a person with good sight can see what others do not.
The proverb means that a smart person can see trends more clearly.

 

巧者善度,智者善豫
An ingenious person is good at measuring things carefully; a knowledgeable person is good at prediction.
The proverb suggests that an ingenious person can only plan something well, but a wise man knows how to prepare for future possibilities.

 

看花容易,绣花难
Embroidery is pleasant to look at but difficult to do.
The proverb indicates that it is easy to look at a piece of work, but hard to do it oneself.

 

春蚕到死丝方尽,蜡炬成灰泪始干
The silkworm ceases to spin only when it is exhausted, and the taper drips tears of wax until it is burnt to ashes.
The proverb is used metaphorically to describe people who are devote to their careers or aspirations throughout their whole life.

 

金蚕无吐丝之实,瓦鸡乏司晨之用
A golden silkworm does not produce silk, and an earthenware rooster does not announce the dawn.
The proverb is used to refer to things which look fine but serve no practical purpose.

 

针尖大的窟窿,斗大的风
A hole as tiny as a needle tip will let in a gust of wind.
The proverb metaphorically means that small faults can have powerful effects.

 

小来穿线,大来穿绢
If you wear cotton while you’re young, you’ll wear silk when you grow up.
The proverb indicates that one can expect to live a happy life only by enduring hardship.