Selected English aphorisms (English-Chinese)

A bad conscience is a snake in one's heart.

A bad conscience is a thief with a guilty conscience.

A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

A bad workman often complains about his tools.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Two birds in the bush are worth two in the bush.

A bird is known by its note, and a man by his talk.

A bird is known by its song, and a man by his talk.

A blind man who leans against a wall imagines that it's the boundary of the world.

Looking at the sky from a well.

Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.

Love is stronger when we are together, and deeper when we are apart.

A burnt child dreads the fire.

Once bitten by a snake, it will be afraid of well ropes for ten years.

Accidents will happen.

Accidents will happen.

A clean hand wants no washing.

I am not afraid of slanted shadows.

A clear conscience is a soft pillow.

A clear conscience is a soft pillow.

A clear conscience is a sure card.

A clear conscience is a sure card.

A clear conscience is a sure card.

A clear conscience laughs at false accusations.

If you don’t do anything wrong during the day, you won’t be surprised if you knock on the door in the middle of the night.

A clear fast is better than a dirty breakfast.

It is better to be poor than to be rich.

A close mouth catches no flies.

Disease enters through the mouth, and disaster comes out of the mouth.

A cock is valiant on his own dunghill.

Yelang is arrogant.

A common danger causes common action.

A common enemy.

A contented mind is perpetual feast.

A contented mind is perpetual feast.

Actions speak louder than words.

Facts speak louder than words.

Admonish your friends in private, praise them in public.

Advise your friends in private and praise them in public.

A fair face may hide a foul heart.

You cannot judge a person by his appearance.

A faithful friend is hard to find.

A faithful friend is hard to find.

A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.

A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.

A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.

After a storm comes a calm.

It will come in peace.

After black clouds, clear weather.

It will come in time.

After death, the doctor.

In hindsight.

A good appetite is a good sauce.

Hungry people do not choose what to eat.

A good example is the best sermon.

Teaching by example is better than teaching by words.

A good face is a letter of recommendation.

A good face is a letter of recommendation.

A good fame is better than a good face.

A good fame is better than a good face.

A good fame is better than a good face.

A good friend is my nearest relation.

A good friend is like a close relative.

A good marksman may miss.

A wise man will surely miss something if he thinks a lot.

A good maxim is never out of season.

Words of wisdom never go out of style.

A good medicine tastes bitter.

Good medicine tastes bitter, but honest advice offends the ears.

A good winter brings a good summer.

Auspicious snow heralds a good year.

A happy heart makes a blooming visage.

A happy heart makes a blooming visage.

A happy heart makes a blooming visage.

A hero is known in the time of misfortune.

Times create heroes.

A lazy youth, a lousy age.

A young man who does not work hard will become a sad old man.

Ale will make a cat speak.

Speak the truth after drinking.

A little is better than none.

Better than nothing.

A little leak will sink a great ship.

A thousand-foot embankment collapses in an ant nest.

A little neglect may breed great mischief.

A little neglect may breed great mischief.

A little neglect may breed great mischief.

A little spark kindles a great fire.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

A little wind kindles, much puts out the fire.

Enough is enough, too much is never enough.

All covet, all lose.

If you are greedy for too much, you will lose.

All is fair in war.

A soldier never tires of deceit.

All is not gold that glitters.

All that glitters is not gold.

All roads lead to Rome.

All roads lead to Rome.

All shall be well, Jack shall have Jill.

Lovers will eventually get married.

All the treasures of the earth would not bring back one lost moment.

Opportunities lost will never come back, and opportunities cannot be redeemed.

All things are easy that are done willingly.

All things are easy that are done willingly.

All things are easy that are done willingly.

All things are obedient to money.

Money can make things worse.

A maiden with many wooers often chooses the worst.

A maiden with many wooers often chooses the worst.

A maiden with many wooers often chooses the worst.

A man apt to promise is apt to forget.

A man who makes light promises is easy to forget.

A man can not spin and reel at the same time.

A man can not do two things at once.

A man cannot whistle and drink at the same time.

You cannot do two things at the same time.

A man has two ears and one mouth that he may hear much and speak little.

A man has two ears and one mouth that he may hear much and speak little.

A man has two ears and one mouth that he may hear much and speak little.

A man knows his companion in a long journey and a little inn.

A man knows his strength through a long journey, and his heart is revealed over time.

A man may dig his grave with his teeth.

Misfortune comes from the mouth.

A man may lead a horse to the water, but he cannot make him drink.

It is easy to lead a horse to the river, but difficult to force the horse to drink.

A man may love his house well without riding on the ridge.

Why should you boast in front of others if you have a treasure?

A match will set fire to a large building.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

Ambition never dies until there is no way out.

A miss is as good as a mile.

A slight miss can make a difference of a thousand miles.

Among the blind the one-eyed man is king.

There are no tigers in the mountains, but monkeys are king.

A near friend is worse than a far-dwelling kinsman.

A near friend is better than a far-dwelling kinsman.

An enemy's mouth seldom speaks well.

An enemy's mouth rarely speaks well.

A dog's mouth cannot spit out ivory.

An evil chance seldom comes alone.

Misfortune never comes alone.

A new broom sweeps clean.

There are three things a new official should do when he takes office.

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

One hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

One hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

An old physician, and a young lawyer.

The doctor is good when he is old, and the lawyer is pretty when he is young.

An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.

An optimist sees hope in disaster; a pessimist sees hope in hope. disaster.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Prevention is better than cure.

Answer a fool according to his folly.

Treat him in his own way.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Saving money is making money.

Apparel makes the man.

A horse depends on its saddle, and a man depends on his clothing.

Appearances are deceitful.

People cannot be judged by their appearance, and sea water cannot be measured by its measure.

A road of a thousand miles begins with one step.

A road of a thousand miles begins with one step.

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

A rolling stone gathers no moss, and a rolling stone gathers no moss.

As a man sows, so he shall reap.

If you sow melons, you will reap melons, and if you sow beans, you will reap beans.

A secret between more than two is no secret.

A secret known to more than two people is no secret.

A servant is known by his master's absence.

The character of the servant can be seen in the absence of the master.

A silent tongue and true heart are the most admirable things on earth.

A silent tongue and true heart are the most admirable things on earth.

A silent tongue and true heart are the most admirable things on earth.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

A smart coat is a good letter of introduction.

People want clothes, Buddha wants gold.

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.

A sow, when washed; returns to the muck.

The country is easy to change, but the nature is difficult to change.

As the old cock crows, so doth the young.

Like father, like son.

As the touchstone tries gold, so gold tries man.

As the touchstone tries gold, so gold tries man.

As the tree falls, so shall it lie.

It is your own fault.

As they sow, so let them reap.

You will reap melons if you sow melons, and you will reap beans if you sow beans.

A still tongue makes a wise head.

A wise man is taciturn.

A stitch in time saves nine.

If the small hole is not repaired, the big hole will suffer.

A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe.

A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe.

A straight foot is not afraid of a slanted shadow.

A straw shows which way the wind blows.

Autumn can be seen in just one leaf.

A stumble may prevent a fall.

A small punishment may lead to a big warning.

As you make your bed so you must lie on it.

You will reap the consequences.

As you sow you shall mow.

You will reap melons if you sow melons, and you will reap beans if you sow beans.

A tall tree catches the wind.

A tall tree catches the wind.

A tree is known by its fruit.

You can know its person by observing its behavior.

A true friend is known in the day of adversity.

The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the strong wind knows the strong grass, and the adversity knows the friendship.

Avarice blinds our eyes.

Wealth-obsessed.

Avarice increases with wealth.

The richer the richer, the more greedy.

A wanderer who is determined to reach his destination does not fear the rain.

A wanderer who is determined to reach his destination does not fear the rain.

A wanderer who is determined to reach his destination does not fear the rain.

A watched pot is long in boiling.

If you are anxious, the water will not boil.

A wilful man will have his way.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

A word spoken is an arrow let fly.

Once a word is spoken, it is difficult to catch up.

A word spoken is past recalling.

Once a word is spoken, it is difficult to catch up.

Bad workmen often blame their tools.

Bad workmen often blame their tools.

Beauty is but skin-deep.

Beauty is easy to change.

Beauty is in the eye of the gazer.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Beauty lies in lover's eyes.

Beauty lies in lover's eyes.

Bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails.

Bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails.

Before gold, even kings take off their hats.

Money can make all the difference.

Beggars cannot be choosers.

Beggars cannot be choosers.

Beggars must be no choosers.

Beggars must be no choosers.

Behind bad luck comes good luck.

A blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise.

Be honest rather clever.

Be honest rather clever.

Being on sea, sail; being on land, settle.

Be content with the situation.

Be just to all, but trust not all.

Be just to all, but trust not all.

Believe not all that you see nor half what you hear.

Believe not all that you see nor half what you hear.

Be slow to promise and quick to perform.

A promise that is never taken lightly will always be fulfilled.

Be swift to hear, slow to speak.

Listen more and speak less.

Better an empty purse than an empty head.

Better an empty purse than an empty head.

Better an open enemy than a false friend.

It is easy to hide from open guns, but difficult to guard against hidden arrows.

Better good neighbors near than relations far away.

Far relatives are not as good as close neighbors.

Between the cup and the lip a morsel may slip.

Failed.

Between two stools one falls to the ground.

Between two stools one falls to the ground.

Beware beginnings.

Beware of beginnings.

Big mouthfuls ofter choke.

Bite off more than you can chew.

Bind the sack before it be full.

Do things in moderation.

Birds of a feather flock together.

Birds of a feather flock together.

Birds of a feather flock together.

Birth is much, but breeding is more.

Birth is important, but education is even more important.

Bite off more than one can chew.

Bite off more than one can chew.

Bite off more than one can chew.

Bite the hand that feeds one.

Repay kindness with hatred.

Bitter pills may have wholesome effects.

Good medicine tastes bitter but is good for disease.

Blind men can judge no colours.

It is not appropriate to ask blind men.

Blood is thicker than water.

Blood is thicker than water.

Bread is the staff of life.

Food is the most important thing for people.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Simplicity is the most precious thing.

Bring up a raven and he'll pick out your eyes.

Raising a tiger brings trouble.

Burn not your house to rid it of the mouse.

A rat-proof device.

Burnt child dreads the fire.

Once bitten by a snake, it will be afraid of well ropes for ten years.

Business before pleasure.

Business comes first, pleasure comes last.

Business is business.

Business is business.

By doing we learn.

Every experience leads to wisdom.

By falling we learn to go safely.

When you encounter a pitfall, you gain wisdom.

By other's faults, wise men correct their own.

Stones from other mountains can attack jade.

By reading we enrich the mind; by conversation we polish it.

Reading can enrich our mind, and conversation perfects it.

Hymn to Failure - Henry Ford

Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.

Thoughts: Money is not everything, but no money is Absolutely impossible——Vince Lombardi

Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is.

Yesterday again?!——Aughey

Lost time is never found again.

Confucius also said - Confucius

Our greatest glory is not in never falling...but in rising every time we fall.

The secret book of the tumbler - Proverb

There is no failure excepting no longer trying.

Action is worse than action - Theodore Roosevelt

Do what you can, with what you have, with where you are.

Standard answer for job applications, but please personalize it——Publilius Syrus Maxim

No one knows what he can do till he tries .

When the last man on earth heard a knock on the door - Will Rogers

Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over... If you just sit there, opportunity rarely knocks on your door. Knock rather on opportunity's door if you ardently wish to enter.

From idea to takeoff - Norman Vincent Peale

Plan your work for today and every day; then work your plan.

Yinwen asked quietly: Do you really love me or do you have no choice? ——Thucydides

The strong do what they will. do springs from the knowledge that we can do.

Counterattack: Sharpen your guns in battle and make them brighter than a 200-watt light bulb - Abraham Lincoln

I will prepare and some day my chance will come.

Change of Heart——Terence

There is nothing so easy

y but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly.

Thoughts: I walked a thousand miles in my dream, but I'm still in bed when I wake up

You'll learn more about a road by traveling it...than by consulting all the maps in the world.

Sigh: Thinking every day, dreaming every night

The mind of a man can achieve What it can conceive and believe.

Thomas Edison

I start where the last man left off.

Forever and ever - Voltaire

No problem can stand the assault of sustained thinking.

Too much, not much - Euipides

Leave no stone unturned.

Pyramid three-dimensional standard - John Wooden

Talent is God given--Be Humble. Fame is man given-- Be Thankful. Conceit is self-given --Be Careful.

Water Moisturizing all things in nature, what about fire - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

The uncle asked: What fillings do you want for pancakes? ——Albert Einstein

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

As you wish——Henry Ford

Whether you think you can or think you can' t -- you are right.

Another example of provocation——Walter Begehot

The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

Reflection: I wait until the flowers fade - Proverb

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

The black and white path of adversity - Robert Collier

In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat there is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time.

An affair at the masquerade - Ann Landers

Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them.

Return the Pearl——Albert Einstein

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

A wise man turns chance into good fortune.

A wise man turns chance into good fortune.

The fate of good times and bad times - William Hazlitt

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater.