There are many famous sayings about "there is strength in numbers". Here are 5 of the more commonly used ones:
1. Three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang
Source: "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" written by Luo Guanzhong, a novelist in the early Ming Dynasty.
Meaning: The original meaning is that the wisdom of three lieutenants can rival one Zhuge Liang. According to folklore, they are called "cobblers".
Create a sentence: "Three stooges are as strong as Zhuge Liang" This saying tells us that the power of unity is great!
2. When everyone gathers firewood, the flames rise (zhòng rén shí chái huǒ yàn gāo)
From: "Collection of Chinese Proverbs·Han Volume".
Meaning: There is strength in numbers.
Sentence: Through this collaborative research, everyone understood the profound truth that when everyone adds fuel, the flames will rise.
3. When people unite, Mount Tai will move (rén xīn qí, tài shān yí)
Source: "Cooperation of Ancient and Modern Sages", author unknown.
Meaning: As long as everyone works together, we can exert great power.
Sentence: In the face of major natural disasters, everyone worked together and finally overcame the difficulties smoothly.
4. One good man has three gangs (yī gè hǎo hàn sān gè bāng yī gè lí bā sān gè zhuāng)
Source: folk proverb.
Meaning: One person’s ability is very weak, but with everyone’s help we can do better.
Sentence: As the saying goes, a good man has three gangs, so I need your help.
5. Gathering sand into a pagoda, gathering armpits into fur (jù shā chéng tǎ, jí yè wéi qiú)
Source: The first half of the sentence comes from "Lotus Sutra· Convenient Products", the author is unknown, The second half of the sentence comes from "Shenzi Zhizhong" where Shen Dao lived during the Warring States Period.
Meaning: Gather fine sand to form a pagoda. Although the fox armpit skin is very small, it can be gathered together to make a leather robe.
Sentence: After understanding the principle of gathering sand into a tower and gathering armpits into fur, we are more united.