Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Collection Of Chinese Proverbs And Apothegms,
The demons hear the words of the bargain made witlj . the enchanter : the work overhears what the workman pronounces in his indignation . —[ The Chinese have a superstitious notion , that the curses of a workman , pronounced over a building , will prevent the family that lives in it from thriving- ] The Emperor lets loose so many murderers , dogs , and wolves , when he creates Mandarines . The husband and wife are like the
birds of the field ; in the evening they meet in the same thicket , but separate in the morning . The lamp goes out when the oil is spent . —[ A common expression to signify the exp iration of life . ] The more a man advances in virtue , the more sparing he is of his words .
The spirit Ngao presides over the hall , yet greater worship is due to the spirit Sao , who presides over the kitchen . — [ These are a kind of Lares or household gods , of which the spirit Ngaois deemed of superior rank to the spirit Sao , who yet is more regarded , as being more necessary to life . ]
The zeal of a good subject , and the piety of a dutiful son , ought never to relax with the ntimber of years . . To call in tygers , to drive out dogs . —[ So the English , Out of the frying pan into the fire . Tbe Chinese apply this proverb to the Tartars , who in the last century being called in to quell a rebellion , made themselves masters of the empire . ] Too many shepherds to one flock serve only to disturb it : but
if one shepherd keeps it , it marches along without straying . —[ The Chinese have no idea of any form of government but the monarchical , and cannot comprehend what is meant by a republic . This was experienced by the Dutch Embassadors in 16 58 , who , when they came to explain the nature of their government , could excite no other idea , but that they were a nest of pirates , living in a state of anarchy : to remove which suspicion , they were at last obliged to represent the Prince of Orange as their Sovereign . ]
17 and Ywe , when in a bark together , and exposed to shipwreck , will help one another to ride out the tempest . —[ These mean two bitter and implacable enemies . —English , Common danger makes friends . ' ] We are as people who have continually before their eyes the dead bodies of their parents . —[ It is thus the Chinese express the hi ghest
possible grief ] When a person hath need of present hel p , he thinks on his relations ; when he is i" danger , he depends on his old friends . Were you to pass the sea on a bladder , how carefully would you preserve it from the prick of a needle . —[ This fine saying expresses , that when all is at stake you cannot be too careful . The Scotch
your have a proverb of a similar meaning , They that ha' but ane egg to their dinner , hae need of a canny ( i . e . cautious ) cook . ] Whether the traveller quicken his pace , or march at his ordinary rate , he hath but so far to go . —[ Applied to human life : equivalent fo the Latin , Serius aut ciiius sedem properamus ad unam . ' l
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Collection Of Chinese Proverbs And Apothegms,
The demons hear the words of the bargain made witlj . the enchanter : the work overhears what the workman pronounces in his indignation . —[ The Chinese have a superstitious notion , that the curses of a workman , pronounced over a building , will prevent the family that lives in it from thriving- ] The Emperor lets loose so many murderers , dogs , and wolves , when he creates Mandarines . The husband and wife are like the
birds of the field ; in the evening they meet in the same thicket , but separate in the morning . The lamp goes out when the oil is spent . —[ A common expression to signify the exp iration of life . ] The more a man advances in virtue , the more sparing he is of his words .
The spirit Ngao presides over the hall , yet greater worship is due to the spirit Sao , who presides over the kitchen . — [ These are a kind of Lares or household gods , of which the spirit Ngaois deemed of superior rank to the spirit Sao , who yet is more regarded , as being more necessary to life . ]
The zeal of a good subject , and the piety of a dutiful son , ought never to relax with the ntimber of years . . To call in tygers , to drive out dogs . —[ So the English , Out of the frying pan into the fire . Tbe Chinese apply this proverb to the Tartars , who in the last century being called in to quell a rebellion , made themselves masters of the empire . ] Too many shepherds to one flock serve only to disturb it : but
if one shepherd keeps it , it marches along without straying . —[ The Chinese have no idea of any form of government but the monarchical , and cannot comprehend what is meant by a republic . This was experienced by the Dutch Embassadors in 16 58 , who , when they came to explain the nature of their government , could excite no other idea , but that they were a nest of pirates , living in a state of anarchy : to remove which suspicion , they were at last obliged to represent the Prince of Orange as their Sovereign . ]
17 and Ywe , when in a bark together , and exposed to shipwreck , will help one another to ride out the tempest . —[ These mean two bitter and implacable enemies . —English , Common danger makes friends . ' ] We are as people who have continually before their eyes the dead bodies of their parents . —[ It is thus the Chinese express the hi ghest
possible grief ] When a person hath need of present hel p , he thinks on his relations ; when he is i" danger , he depends on his old friends . Were you to pass the sea on a bladder , how carefully would you preserve it from the prick of a needle . —[ This fine saying expresses , that when all is at stake you cannot be too careful . The Scotch
your have a proverb of a similar meaning , They that ha' but ane egg to their dinner , hae need of a canny ( i . e . cautious ) cook . ] Whether the traveller quicken his pace , or march at his ordinary rate , he hath but so far to go . —[ Applied to human life : equivalent fo the Latin , Serius aut ciiius sedem properamus ad unam . ' l