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Top 10 Chinese Proverbs

By Simran Khurana, About.com Guide

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Chinese proverbs are famous for their simplicity and depth. This is my selection of the top 10 Chinese proverbs. Enjoy the simple narrative and appreciate these pithy sayings that take you back to first principles.

1. Perspective

The participant's perspectives are clouded while the bystander's views are clear.

2. Patience

Pick the flower when it is ready to be picked.

3. Courage

If you don't go into the cave of the tiger, how are you going to get its cub?

4. Tradition

Follow the local custom when you go to a foreign place.

5. Nature

It is impossible to change your basic characteristics.

6. Wisdom

Once bitten by a snake, you are even frightened by a rope that resembles a snake.

7. Perspective

Your neighbor's wife looks prettier than your own.

8. Life

When you go up to the mountain too often, you will eventually encounter the tiger.

9. Nature

Elephant tusks cannot grow out of a dog's mouth.

10. Nature

When the tiger comes down from the mountain to the plains, it is bullied by the dogs.

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