Sayings · LT905

Aphorisms

Immortal maxims, inspirational epigrams, and ethical golden verses.

710works

11dynasties

185authors

Zhou

84 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. Do Not Impose on Others What You Do Not DesireAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself; the Confucian principle of reciprocity.
  2. A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single StepLaozi (traditionally attributed)A journey of a thousand li begins beneath one's feet.
  3. A Foot Can Fall Short, an Inch Can SufficeLiu Xiang (comp.)Zhanyin then set aside his stalks and declined, saying: 'A foot may fall short, and an inch may be long enough;
  4. Silencing the People Is Worse Than Damming a RiverZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Stopping the people's mouths is worse than stopping a river: when a blocked river bursts, it hurts many people;
  5. Confucius Sides with the Spring Outing by the River YiAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)The Master sighed deeply and said: I am with Dian!
  6. Spring Clothes Ready in Late SpringAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, with five or six young men and six or seven boys, I would bathe in the Yi, enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and come home singing.
  7. Being and Non-Being Give Rise to Each OtherLaozi (traditionally attributed)Thus being and non-being give rise to each other, difficult and easy complete each other, long and short reveal each other, high and low lean on each other, note and sound harmonize, and front and back follow each other.
  8. Zilu Answers Rashly Before the MasterAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)Zilu answered at once, without a moment's thought.
  9. The Perfected Person Has No SelfZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)Therefore it is said: the perfected person has no self, the spirit person has no merit, the sage has no name.
  10. Subdue the Enemy Without a BattleSun Wu (Sunzi)To win a hundred battles out of a hundred is not the highest excellence; to subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest excellence.
  11. The Morning Mushroom Never Sees a Month Begin or EndZhuangzi (traditionally attributed)The morning mushroom knows nothing of the month's first and last days, the summer cicada knows nothing of spring and autumn: these are short lives.
  12. Governing a Great State Like Cooking a Small FishLaozi (traditionally attributed)Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish.
  13. Bathing in the Yi River and Taking the Breeze at the Rain AltarAnonymous (Confucius's disciples and their students)We would bathe in the Yi, take the breeze at the Rain Altar, and come home singing.
  14. The Fire Star Sinks West in the Seventh MonthAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)In the seventh month the Fire Star sinks west; in the ninth month winter clothes are handed out.
  15. I Share My Robe With YouAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Who says you have no clothes? I will share my robe with you. The king is raising an army; we mend our dagger-axes and spears. Your enemy is mine!
  16. The Neighbour's Daughter to the EastSong YuThe daughter of my eastern neighbour: add an inch and she would be too tall, take one away and she would be too short; powder would make her too white, rouge would make her too red.
  17. Profound and Never Ceasing Is Heaven's MandateAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The mandate of Heaven, how profound and solemn, never ceasing!
  18. Solemn and Pure Is the Ancestral TempleAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Ah, solemn and pure is the ancestral temple; reverent and harmonious are the illustrious assistants.
  19. Harming Others to Profit OneselfMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Why is this? Because he harms others to profit himself.
  20. Mend Our Spears and Lances for the Common FightAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The king is raising his army; we mend our spears and lances. With you I share one foe!
  21. Its Leaves So Lush and ThickAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)How young and lovely the peach tree, its leaves so lush and thick! This girl goes to her new home; she will bring harmony to the household.
  22. An Old State with an Ever-Renewed MandateAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Though Zhou is an ancient state, its mandate is new.
  23. Toil That Hardens Sinews and BonesMenciusSo when Heaven is about to confer a great charge on someone, it first embitters his heart, wears out his sinews and bones, starves his body, leaves him destitute and thwarts his undertakings, to rouse his mind, toughen his nature and increase his abilities.
  24. True to Its Nature, the Orange Tree Will Not MoveLiu Xiang (comp.)Fair tree of sovereign Earth, the orange came to suit this soil; bound by its charge it will not move, but grows in the southern land.
  25. Deer Calling to One Another in the WildsAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The deer call to one another, eating wormwood in the wilds. I have honoured guests; for them the zither is strummed and the pipes are blown.
  26. Harmony Gives Birth to All ThingsZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Harmony truly gives birth to things; sameness cannot continue.
  27. Skilled at Making Use of ThingsXunzi (Xun Kuang)The gentleman is not different from others by birth; he is simply skilled at making use of things.
  28. The One I Seek, Across the WaterAnonymous (comp.)The one of whom I speak is somewhere across the water.
  29. Chop, Chop, Felling Sandalwood by the RiverAnonymous (comp.)Chop, chop, we fell the sandalwood and set it on the river's bank; the river water is clear and rippling.
  30. A Single Note Makes No Music: Shi Bo on HarmonyZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)A single note makes no music, a single colour no pattern, a single flavour no fine taste, and a single thing allows no comparison.
  31. Lowered by Rope at Night: Zhu Zhiwu Turns Back QinZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)He agreed. At night he was let down from the wall on a rope and went out.
  32. The Greatest Wrong Called Right: Mozi Against Aggressive WarMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)Now when it comes to the greatest wrong, attacking a state, they do not condemn it but praise it and call it right.
  33. All the Realm in Mourning White: Tang Ju Defies the King of QinLiu Xiang (comp.)If a true man must be angry, two corpses fall, blood flows five paces, and all the realm puts on mourning white; and today is that day.
  34. Heaven Sent the Dark Bird to Bring Forth ShangAnonymous (comp.)Heaven commanded the dark bird to come down and bring forth Shang, who dwelt in the land of Yin, vast and wide.
  35. Heaven's Course Is Constant: Xunzi on NatureXunzi (Xun Kuang)Heaven's course is constant: it did not persist for Yao, nor perish for Jie.
  36. Losing the Original Heart: Mencius on Fish and Bear's PawMenciusCan this not be stopped? This is called losing one's original heart.
  37. Bringing Harmony to Her New Home: The Peach Blossom BrideAnonymous (comp.)This girl goes to her new home; she will bring harmony to her household.
  38. The Wrath of a Man in Plain Cloth: Tang Ju Answers the King of QinLiu Xiang (comp.)Has Your Majesty heard of the wrath of a man in plain cloth?
  39. O Distant Blue HeavenAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)O distant blue heaven, who has brought this about!
  40. Removing Troubles and Easing Hardships for OthersLiu Xiang (comp.)What is prized in a gentleman of the world is that he removes others' troubles, eases their hardships and settles their disputes while taking nothing.
  41. Bound Together Through Life and Death, Near or ApartAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)In life or death, together or apart, we made our pledge: I would hold your hand and grow old with you.
  42. The Nine Divisions of the Great PlanAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)Heaven then granted Yu the Great Plan in nine divisions, and the constant norms were set in order.
  43. A Host of Able Men Around King WenAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)In dignified throngs the many officers stand, and through them King Wen has peace.
  44. Deep Roots That Will Not Be Transplanted: Ode to the OrangeLiu Xiang (comp.)Deep-rooted and hard to move, its will is all the more single.
  45. Peach Blossoms Blazing Bright: A Bride's SongAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)The peach tree young and tender, blazing bright its blossoms.
  46. Standing Alone and Unmoved Like the Orange TreeLiu Xiang (comp.)Standing alone and unmoved, is that not a joy?
  47. Fair and Delicate: the Worshipper of the Xiang River SpiritLiu Xiang (comp.)Fair and delicate, fittingly adorned, swiftly I ride in my cassia boat.
  48. Trying the Heart and Will: Mencius on Heaven's Great ChargeMenciusWhen Heaven is about to confer a great charge on someone, it first makes their heart and will suffer and wears out their sinews and bones.
  49. Plants and Trees Shake and Fall: Song Yu's Sorrow of AutumnSong YuHow sad is the air of autumn! Bleak and chill, the plants and trees shake, fall and wither.
  50. Even a Passer-by Refuses: Mencius on Food Given with ContemptMenciusGiven with a contemptuous shout, a passer-by will not accept them; kicked over to you, a beggar will disdain them.
  51. Slow Is Our Road Home: the Returning Soldier of Cai WeiAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Slow is our road, we thirst and we hunger. My heart is grieved; no one knows my sorrow!
  52. Establishing Offices and Dividing Duties: the Opening of the Rites of ZhouDuke of Zhou (traditionally attributed)Only the king establishes the state: he distinguishes the directions and fixes the positions, lays out the capital and the countryside, establishes offices and divides duties, as a standard for the people.
  53. Off to That Happy LandAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)We swear we will leave you and go to that happy land; happy land, happy land, there we shall find our place.
  54. The Way Is Hard and LongAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Upstream I go to find that person, but the way is hard and long; downstream I go to find that person, who seems to be in the middle of the water.
  55. The Glory of the NationAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)On the southern hills are mulberries, on the northern hills poplars; joyful gentlemen, the glory of the land.
  56. Gathering Plantain, Gathering PlantainAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Pick, pick the plantain, come and pick it; pick, pick the plantain, now we have some.
  57. Kneeling Upright to Apologise: Tang Ju Faces the King of QinLiu Xiang (comp.)The King of Qin's face fell; he rose upright on his knees and apologised, saying, 'Please sit, sir; why go so far? I understand.'
  58. Snow Falling Thick on the Road HomeAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)When I left long ago, the willows swayed softly; now as I return, the snow falls thick and fast.
  59. Plucking the Zither and Playing the Reed Pipes for GuestsAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Yoo-yoo the deer are calling, eating the wormwood of the plain. I have honoured guests; we pluck the zither and blow the reed pipes.
  60. The Whole World Muddy, I Alone ClearLiu Xiang (comp.)The whole world is muddy and I alone am clear; all men are drunk and I alone am sober; that is why I was banished.
  61. Affairs Succeed in Secrecy, Fail by Loose TalkHan FeiAffairs succeed through secrecy and fail when words leak out.
  62. Two Bodies Fall, Blood Flows Five PacesLiu Xiang (comp.)If a man of resolve is truly roused, two bodies will fall and blood will flow five paces, and the whole world will wear mourning white; today is such a day.
  63. Master Heaven's Decree and Put It to UseXunzi (Xun Kuang)Rather than obey Heaven and sing its praises, why not master Heaven's decree and put it to use!
  64. The King's Mighty WindSong Yu (traditionally attributed)This is what is called the king's mighty wind.
  65. The World Belongs to All, Not to One ManJiang Ziya (the Grand Duke) (traditionally attributed)The world is not one man's world; it is the world's world.
  66. As if in the Middle of the WaterAnonymous (Folk song of Qin)Upstream I follow, the way is hard and long; downstream I follow, and there she seems to stand, in the middle of the water.
  67. Silencing the People's CriticismZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)The king was pleased and told the Duke of Shao: 'I have been able to stop the criticism; they dare not speak.'
  68. Victory Won at CourtLiu Xiang (comp.)When Yan, Zhao, Han and Wei heard of this, they all came to pay homage to Qi. This is what is called a victory won at court.
  69. Holding Your Hand, to Grow Old with YouAnonymous (Folk song of Wey)In life or death, together or apart, I made my promise to you: I will hold your hand and grow old with you.
  70. Hard-Pressed Like the Nest-Building BirdAnonymous (Book of Songs poet; traditionally the Duke of Zhou)My claws are cramped with toil as I gather rush flowers.
  71. Banners Blotting Out the SunLiu Xiang (comp.)Banners blot out the sun, the enemy comes like clouds; arrows fall back and forth, and the warriors press forward.
  72. Your Majesty Is Deeply Deceived: Zou Ji's Mirror LessonLiu Xiang (comp.)Seen in this light, Your Majesty is deeply deceived!
  73. Master Dengtu: How a Slanderer Became a Byword for LecherySong Yu (traditionally attributed)The grandee Master Dengtu, attending on the King of Chu, disparaged Song Yu: Yu is handsome and graceful in person, full of subtle words, and lustful by nature.
  74. Those Who Know Me Say My Heart Is Grieved: The Drooping MilletAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Those who know me say my heart is grieved; those who do not know me ask what I am seeking.
  75. Big Rat, Do Not Eat My Millet: A Peasant's ProtestAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Big rat, big rat, do not eat my millet!
  76. Eating Without Working: The Sandalwood Cutters' ComplaintAnonymous (compiled by Zhou court musicians)Those gentlemen, oh, they do not eat for nothing!
  77. Treat Others' Elders as Your Own: Mencius on Extending KindnessMenciusTreat your own aged as aged, and extend it to the aged of others; treat your own young as young, and extend it to the young of others; then the realm can be turned in the palm of your hand.
  78. Medicine That Does Not Daze Will Not Cure: King Wu Ding's Charge to Fu YueAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)Open your heart and water mine. If medicine does not make one dizzy, the illness will not be cured.
  79. Planning Far Ahead for One's Children: Chulong Persuades the Queen DowagerLiu Xiang (comp.)When parents love their children, they plan far ahead for them.
  80. The Road Ahead Is Long and Far: Qu Yuan's Endless SearchLiu Xiang (comp.)The road ahead is long and far; I will search for it high and low.
  81. The Reversed Scales Under the Dragon's Throat: Han Fei on PersuasionHan FeiRulers too have reversed scales; if a persuader can avoid brushing against them, he is close to success.
  82. Take People, Not Water, as Your Mirror: Wu Zixu's Warning to FuchaiZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Why does Your Majesty not take people as your mirror, rather than water?
  83. Condemning Offensive War: Mozi's Argument from Stolen PeachesMozi (Mo Di) (traditionally attributed)But when the great wrong of attacking a state is done, they do not know to condemn it, and instead praise it and call it righteous.
  84. Heroes Among the Ghosts: Qu Yuan's Hymn for the FallenLiu Xiang (comp.)Though their bodies are dead, their spirits are potent; their unbending souls are heroes among the ghosts!

Han

16 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. An Old Hero's Heart Still BurnsCao CaoA man of high purpose in his twilight years does not let his great heart rest.
  2. Uncarved Jade Makes No VesselDai Sheng (comp.)Jade that is not carved does not become a vessel;
  3. Peach and Plum Trees Say Nothing, Yet Paths Form Beneath ThemSima QianA proverb says: 'Peach and plum trees do not speak, yet a path forms beneath them of itself.'
  4. Idle in Youth, Grieving in Old AgeAnonymous (Han yuefu)If you do not exert yourself while young and strong, in old age you will grieve in vain.
  5. Fortune Lies Within MisfortuneJia YiMisfortune is what good fortune leans upon; good fortune is where misfortune lies hidden;
  6. Teaching From Behind a Lowered CurtainSima QianHe lectured behind a lowered curtain; his disciples passed the teaching on in order of seniority, and some never saw his face.
  7. Nine Times Assembling the Lords for Duke HuanSima QianOnce Guan Zhong was employed and ran the government of Qi, Duke Huan became overlord, assembling the lords nine times and setting all under heaven to rights; this was Guan Zhong's planning.
  8. One Script for the Whole Qin EmpireSima QianHe unified laws, weights and measures; carts shared one axle width; writing used one script.
  9. Wei Qing: Born a Slave, Content to Escape the WhipSima QianBorn a slave, I am content if I escape beatings and curses; how could I hope to become a marquis!
  10. All the World Drunk, Qu Yuan Alone SoberSima QianThe whole world is muddy and I alone am clean; all men are drunk and I alone am sober; that is why I was banished.
  11. Let the Ruler Be a Ruler and the Minister a MinisterSima QianDuke Jing asked Confucius about government. Confucius said: let the ruler be a ruler, the minister a minister, the father a father, the son a son.
  12. Sacrifice Atop Mount LangjuxuSima QianHe sacrificed to Heaven on Mount Langjuxu, to Earth at Guyan, and climbed to gaze over the Hanhai.
  13. Cooking With Pots Hung Above the FloodSima QianInside the city they cooked with their pots hung up, and exchanged children to eat.
  14. Fan Kuai Bursts Through the Palace DoorSima QianAfter more than ten days, Kuai pushed open the door and went straight in, and the ministers followed him.
  15. Zhuo Wenjun Tending the Wine CounterSima QianHe bought a tavern to sell wine, and had Wenjun tend the counter.
  16. A Hero's Heart Undimmed in Old AgeCao CaoA man of ambition in his twilight years: his bold heart never ceases.