Proverbs |
Annotation
And Connotations |
- Throw
out a brick to attract a jade.
(Chinese
original: 抛砖引玉Chinese Pinyin: Pao1 zhuan1 yin3 yu4.)
|
- This
is a Chinese way of showing modesty. When one tries to offer an opinion,
he claims that his is but a commonplace one and with it he hopes that
others may come up with better ideas.
|
- When
you are poor, you will have no visitors even if you
live in a crowded city; once you become rich, you'll
be surprised by visitors from alleged relatives even
if you live in a remote location.
(Chinese
original: 贫居闹市无人问，富居深山有远亲 Chinese Pinyin: Pin2 ju1 nao4shi4
wu2 ren2 wen4, fu4 ju1 shen1shan1 you3 yuan3 qin1.)
|
The
proverb criticizes snobbishness. |
- A
drop of sweat spent in a drill is a drop of blood saved in a battle.
(Chinese
original:  Chinese Pinyin: Ping2shi2 duo1 liu2 han4, zhan4shi2 shao3 liu2 xue4.)
|
More
practice will give one a better chance of success in real situation. |
- Smash
the pots and sink the boats.
(Chinese
original: 破釜沉舟Chinese Pinyin: Po4 fu3 chen2 zhou1.)
|
It is
said of a historical battle during the Qin dynasty. During an offensive
march, a general ordered his men to smash their cooking pots and sink
the boats with which they crossed the river, making it clear that retreating
was no longer an option. When someone claims he is going to do this
figuratively, he is determined to carry out his task till it is finished
no matter what. |
