restraint

  • Huà Shé Tiān Zú (画蛇添足)

    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 画蛇添足 Pinyin: huà shé tiān zú Literal Meaning: Draw a snake and then add feet to it. Figurative Meaning: Do something unnecessary that ruins what is already perfect; overdo a thing and end up making a fool of oneself. Cultural Background This well-known fable-based idiom comes from the Warring States…

  • The Analects – Chapter 11.22

    Zilu asked, “When I hear a truth, should I act on it immediately?” The Master replied, “You still have your father and elder brothers alive – how can you act on it as soon as you hear it?”Ran You asked the same question: “When I hear a truth, should I act on it immediately?”…

  • Caigentan 104. The wisdom of moderation

    Tasty foods are like poison that perforates your intestines and erodes your bones. So long as you only eat until you are half full no harm will ensue.

  • Caigentan 100. Taming the wildfires of wealth and power

    When people grow up in the households of wealthy families, their love of luxury and covetousness are like a raging fire, and their reliance on their power is like a searing flame.