Beside water you read the fish’s nature; near mountains you fathom the birds’ song.
近水知鱼性，近山识鸟音。
Zeng Guang Xi Shi Xian Wen, upper collection, aphorism 6
Zeng Guang Xian Wen (增廣賢文)
@zengguangxianwen · 12 excerpts
A sharp blade cuts flesh and the scar soon heals; harsh words hurt people and the resentment does not fade.
利刀割体痕易合，恶语伤人恨不消。
Zeng Guang Xi Shi Xian Wen, upper collection, couplet Li dao ge ti hen yi he
Right‑wrong chatter fills every day; heed it not and it is gone.
是非终日有，不听自然无。
Zeng Guang Xi Shi Xian Wen, upper collection, proverb Shi fei zhong ri you
We plan the task; Heaven grants its success.
谋事在人，成事在天。
Zeng Guang Xi Shi Xian Wen, supplement, proverb Mou shi zai ren, cheng shi zai tian
Words cannot match experience; hearing cannot match seeing.
口说不如身逢，耳闻不如目见。
Zengguang Xianwen, Upper Collection, maxim beginning 口說不如身逢
Live by water and you learn the fish’s nature; live near mountains and you know the birds’ song.
近水知鱼性，近山识鸟音。
Zengguang Xianwen, Upper Collection, maxim beginning 近水知魚性
Endure when you can, bear when you can; lack of endurance turns trifles into crises.
得忍且忍，得耐且耐；不忍不耐，小事成大。
Zengguang Xianwen, Upper Collection, maxim beginning 得忍且忍
Do not forget friends made in poverty, nor send away the wife who shared coarse grain.
贫贱之交不可忘，糟糠之妻不下堂。
Zeng Guang Xian Wen, maxim beginning 贫贱之交不可忘
Endure a moment of anger and spare a hundred days of sorrow.
忍得一时之气，免得百日之忧。
Zeng Guang Xian Wen, maxim beginning 忍得一时之气
Swallow one retort, and anger subsides; yield one move, and take a step back.
忍一句，息一怒；饶一着，退一步。
Zeng Guang Xian Wen, maxim beginning 忍一句