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