The ancient Chinese used proverbs to teach their children good manners and to help them learn the proper way of doing things. Excerpt from The Analects of Confucius, c.400 BCE: Do not do unto others, what you would not want others to do to you If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake Proverbs were used to encourage people to think about things in the right way, which was very Taoist.  There is more to knowing than just being correct. A clever mind is not a heart.    Proverbs were also used to help each person become the best person they could be. Ancient Buddhist text: As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, even so the wise are not ruffled by praise or blame.     Chinese Proverbs -Student Created Chinese Proverbs A-Z Return to Ancient China for Kids Index