Chinese Wisdom Express

20/04/2026

Among the crowd, I searched for her a thousand times.
Then suddenly, turning back—
there she is,
where the lantern light grows dim.

众里寻他千百度。蓦然回首，那人却在，灯火阑珊处。

~Xin Qiji (辛弃疾, 1140–1207), Song dynasty poet, military leader, and patriotic statesman, from Green Jade Table · Lantern Festival Night (《青玉案·元夕》)

01/04/2026

Through layered mountains and winding waters, it seems no road remains,

yet in shaded willows and bright blossoms, suddenly—another village appears.

山重水复疑无路，柳暗花明又一村。

~ Lu You (陆游, 1125–1210), Southern Song dynasty poet and patriot, from Visiting Shanxi Village (《 游山西村》)

27/03/2026

People have their grief and joy, their partings and reunions;
the moon has her phases of dimness and brightness, waxing and waning—
this has never been perfected since ancient times.
But I only wish that people may live long,
and together, though a thousand miles apart, we share this same moonlight.

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

~ Su Shi (苏轼, 1037–1101), Song dynasty poet, statesman, and literary master, from Prelude to Water Melody — Mid-Autumn of the Bingchen Year (《水调歌头·丙辰中秋》)

27/03/2026

Praise given as though scratching an itch through a boot is of no use;
but a scolding that cuts three-tenths into the wood is skillfully done.

隔靴搔痒赞何益；
入木三分骂亦精。

~ Chinese Proverb, from "The Expanded Wise Sayings" (《 增广贤文》，c. late 16th–early 17th century)

26/03/2026

Those who know do not speak;
those who speak do not know.
Seal the mouth, close the gates;
soften the sharpness, untangle the knots;
temper the glare, blend with the dust—
this is called the Mystery of Unity.

知者不言，言者不知。
塞其兑，闭其门；
挫其锐，解其纷；
和其光，同其尘，
是谓玄同。

~ Laozi (老子, traditionally 6th century BCE), philosopher and founder of Daoism, from Dao De Jing, Chapter 56 (道德经·第五十六章)

26/03/2026

The highest good is like water.
Water benefits all things and does not contend.
It dwells in places that others disdain,
and thus comes close to the Way.

上善若水，水善利万物而不争。
处众人之所恶，故几于道。

~ Laozi (老子, traditionally 6th century BCE), philosopher and founder of Daoism, from Dao De Jing, Chapter 8 (《道德经》第八章)

26/03/2026

When life meets joy, seize it fully—
do not let the golden cup face the moon in vain.
Heaven gave me talents that must find their use;
if a thousand pieces of gold are scattered, they will return again.

人生得意须尽欢，莫使金樽空对月。
天生我材必有用，千金散尽还复来。

~ Li Bai (李白, 701–762), Tang Dynasty Poet, from Bring in the Wine (《将进酒》)

26/03/2026

Welcome to Chinese Wisdom Express

Hi, I’m Jian.

I created this space to share classical Chinese wisdom through carefully translated texts and traditional art.

What you’ll find here:

• Timeless quotations from classical Chinese texts
• Full poems and essays in bilingual format (English + Chinese)
• Carefully selected traditional paintings paired with each work
• Curated series designed for slow reading and deeper reflection

This began as a personal practice. Over time, it has grown into a quiet space for readers around the world.

If this resonates with you, you’re warmly welcome to follow.

— Jian

27/09/2018

To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

Visit the post for more.

26/09/2018

A man who chases two rabbits catches neither.

Visit the post for more.