Please list more similar idioms, allusions, allegorical sayings, and famous quotes from different ethnic cultures!
Here are the Worldviews, Outlooks on life, and Values that I enjoy sharing in ancient and modern Chinese contexts, typically used to describe two distinct attitudes towards life.
Proactive and Positive
君子必慎其所居，择邻而居. (Jūn zǐ bì shèn qí suǒ jū, zé lín ér jū.) Noble individuals must carefully choose their residence and neighbors.
Explanation: The environment can influence a person’s temperament and health, so a person of noble character must carefully choose where to live, selecting a good neighbor and environment.
近朱者赤，近墨者黑. (Jìn zhū zhě chì, jìn mò zhě hēi.) Those who stay near vermilion will be stained red; those who stay near ink will be stained black.
Explanation: It means that one’s living environment (good or bad) greatly influences a person. it’s very important to choose friends, neighbors and partners.
不改進，毋寧死！(Bù gǎi jìn, wú nìng sǐ!) No improvement, better to die!
Explanation: This expresses a strong determination to pursue progress and continuous improvement, stating that if one cannot improve and progress, then one would rather die. This attitude reflects a firm belief in self-improvement and the pursuit of excellence.
没有改进的人生不值得过！(Méi yǒu gǎi jìn de rén shēng bù zhí dé guò!) A life without improvement is not worth living!
Explanation: If we do not pursue improvement and growth, life will lack meaning and passion. Such an attitude can inspire us to constantly challenge ourselves in all aspects and pursue excellence.
窮則獨善其身，富則達濟天下！(Qióng zé dú shàn qí shēn, fù zé dá jì tiān xià!) Cultivate oneself in poverty; help the world in wealth.
Explanation: When we are in poverty, we should cultivate ourselves and strive for self-improvement; when we have the ability and resources, we should help others and benefit society. This philosophy emphasizes the different responsibilities of people in different circumstances. Maintain self-cultivation in adversity and actively give back to society in times of abundance.
先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐！(Xiān tiān xià zhī yōu ér yōu, hòu tiān xià zhī lè ér lè!) Worry before all under heaven; rejoice after all under heaven.
Explanation: This reflects a high sense of social responsibility and a selfless spirit, emphasizing that we must always treat society’s and others’ problems as our own, and as long as there is injustice in society, we should tirelessly struggle until death.
修身、齐家、治国、平天下 (Xiū shēn, qí jiā, zhì guó, píng tiān xià) Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.
Explanation: These four stages of life emphasize an ideal of self-cultivation and the gradual expansion of social responsibility, as well as the impact of personal cultivation on the family, the nation, and the world.
- 修身 (Xiū shēn): First, one must cultivate one’s character and qualities to achieve mental and physical integrity.
- 齐家 (Qí jiā): Secondly, one must manage one’s family well to make it harmonious and happy.
- 治国 (Zhì guó): Building on a harmonious family, one must have the ability to govern the country, making it stable and prosperous.
- 平天下 (Píng tiān xià): The ultimate goal is to achieve universal harmony and world peace.
Passive and Negative
一屋不扫，何以扫天下？（yī wū bù sǎo, hé yǐ sǎo tiān xià?）He who cannot manage his own household cannot lead the world.
Explanation: If one cannot keep their own room clean and orderly, how can they expect to handle bigger tasks or more important, complex matters? This saying emphasizes that managing small tasks well is the foundation for handling big tasks. Only by starting with small tasks and doing them well can one be capable of handling big tasks.
躺平、得過且過、隨遇而安 (Tǎng píng, dé guò qiě guò, suí yù ér ān) Lying flat, getting by, going with the flow.
Explanation: These describe a lack of ambition, planning, and goals; not pursuing higher goals, just getting by, not making extra effort, lacking motivation and ambition, focusing only on immediate survival without considering long-term planning and development.
苟且偷生 (Gǒu qiě tōu shēng) Clinging to life without regard for dignity.
Explanation: This describes someone who clings to life without regard for dignity or justice, demonstrating a passive and cowardly attitude toward life. This idiom has negative connotations, referring to a life attitude of not seeking progress, accepting things as they are, and merely living without regard for principles when facing difficulties.
好死不如賴活著 (Hǎo sǐ bù rú lài huó zhe) Better to live on in hardship than to die easily.
Explanation: This saying means it is better to live on in hardship than to die easily, reflecting people’s cherishing of life and a strong desire to survive, even if life is full of difficulties, one should try to persevere. It also implies a sense of helplessness in compromising with difficulties.
做一天和尚，撞一天鐘！(Zuò yī tiān hé shang, zhuàng yī tiān zhōng!) Do one’s duty in a perfunctory manner.
Explanation: This saying describes a go-with-the-flow, passive, and lazy attitude toward life, just getting through the day, not being responsible for one’s duties, not pursuing progress or change, focusing only on immediate benefits without considering long-term goals and responsibilities.
少壯不努力，老來徒傷悲 (Shào zhuàng bù nǔ lì, lǎo lái tú shāng bēi) If we don’t work hard in our youth, we will regret it in our old age.
Explanation: This ancient Chinese proverb emphasize the importance of seizing the time to work hard and study in our youth to avoid future regret and sorrow.
This life can be without regrets!
Unfortunately,
We cannot change the external social environment,
But we can change our own small living environment.
If we cannot even manage what is inside our own walls,
Then we can at least manage ourselves.
We will not become the kind of person we once disliked!
When we are old, we will not hate ourselves,
We will end our life with a clear conscience.