Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-12-10
Chinese Proverbs.

Hc cNCciiclCc III slIjliOiiAIIl hds
been said to consist chiefly in the
comprehensions of some obvious and
Youthful truth III few words; and
if this be the case, the Chinese Ian
guage is peculiarly adapted for the
production of proverbs, for it pos
sesses, from its peculiar structure, a
beauty and pOintedness of expires
sion, which, however, no degree of
care or pains can adequately convey
into q translation.
Let us cite from various sources a
few Of the numerous aphOrisms,
maxims, and proverbs current among
the Chinese, many of which will sug-
gest parallel sentiments in our own
and other languages.
By long journey we know a
horses strength; so length of days
shows q mans heart.
In the days of af1luence always
think of poverty; do not let want
come upon you and make YOU remem-
her with regret the time of plenty, in
ontra-distinction to this sentiment
is another. Let us get drunk to-day,
while we have wine; the sorrows of
tomorrow may be borne tomorrow.
TO correct an evil which already
exists, is not so well as to forsee and
prevent it.
Wine and good dinners make
abundance of friends, but in the time
of adversely not one is to be found.
COutiOus conduct under circum-
stances of suspicion is inculcated
somewhat oddly by the following:
In field of melons do not pull up
your shoe; under plum-tre do not
adjust your cap.
"Tcmpus fugit' becomes in Chi
nese: Time flies like an arrow;
days and months like weaver's
shuttle"
Do not anXiOnsly expect what is
not yet come; do not vainly regret
what is already past.
The Chinese evidently agree with
Sol0mon's well-known advice to a
parent; for they say: az you love
your son, be liberal in punishment;
if You hate him accustom him to
dainties."
If you would understand the
character Of prince, examine his
Ministers; if you would understand
the disposition of any man, look at
his companions; if you would know
that of a father, observe his son.
Man is born without knowledge,
and when he has obtained it, very
soon becomes old; when his expert
ence is ripe, death suddenly seizes
him.
The fame of mems good actions
seldom goes beyond their own doors;
hut their evil deeds are carried tOthe
distance of a thousand miles.
Though powerful medicines are
nauseous to the taste, they are good
for the disease; though candid adj
vice is unpleasant to the ear, it is
profitable for the conduct.
From the following simile, looking
glasses are evidently appreciated by
Chinese ladies'; without a clear mir
ror, woman cannot know the state
of her own face; without a true
friend 4 man can not discern the err
rors of his own actions.
The evidence of others is not COM
parable to personal experience, nor
is II heard" as good as Il saw
The three great misfortunes in
life are: In youth to bury ones IA
ther, in middle-age to lose ones wife,
and being old to have no son.
A virtuous woman is source of
honor to her husband; vicious one
causes disgrace.
The strong feeling existing among
the Chinese against widows marry
ing a second husband is clearly seen
in the following: 1t being asked,
''Supposing a widowed woman to be
very poor and destitute, might she
in such case take second hus-
band?' 1t was answered, "This
question arises merely from the fear
OfcOld and hunger; but to be starved
to death is a very small matter COM
pared with the loss of her respecta-
bility" They are very much afraid
of what they term closing face"
He who at once knows himselfand
knows others will triumph as often
as he contends.
It's too late to pull the rein when
the horse has gained the brink of the
precipice; the time for stopping the
leak is past when the vessel is in the
midst of the river.
1t is easy to convince wise man,
but to reason with fool is difficult
undertaking.