Best Loved Chinese Proverbs [Paperback]

Theodora Lau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 1995

From the author of the bestselling "Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes" (125,000 copies sold) comes a charming gift book of simple wisdom accompanied by Chinese calligraphy by Kenneth Lau.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Theodora Lau is the author of Best-Loved Chinese Proverbs.She was born in Shanghai and now lives in Southern CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1 edition (November 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060951338
• ISBN-13: 978-0060951337
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,067,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!!, August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Best Loved Chinese Proverbs (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. It has great proverbs that eloquently state things I am thinking. I often refer to it when I can't articulate a thought or experience I have had, and when I'd like to quote the book. It is a thought-provoking book in many ways. It is also well-organized, so when I'm looking for something in particular, I know exactly where to find it!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have, April 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Best Loved Chinese Proverbs (Paperback)

I teach history at the university level and found this book quite by accident under the "Eastern thought" section of the bookstore. It was a surprise find and the simply worded proverbs in it are profound and insightful. Highly recommended if you want a good glimpse of Chinese Philosophy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Do not be a frog sitting at the bottom of a well.", December 26, 2006

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Loved Chinese Proverbs (Paperback)

I've always enjoyed books of sayings,proverbs,quotations and such.I also often use them in discussions.Let's face it these short trueisms have been handed down from one generation to the next foe ages.
When I found this little book,I really felt, since the Chinese culture is so remote and different;I thought their Proverbs would be as well.
I guess that wisdom really knows no borders.
One thing you will see in this book is that the same thought is amply put into different words.
We have many proverbs on the benefits of reading;
I like this Chinese way of putting it;

"One who does not like to read is equal to one who cannot read."

And on sincerity;

"The longer the explanation the bigger the lie."

And on strategy;

"Don't lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot."

And on success;

"Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up."

Or as we would say'"If at first you don't succeed,try,try,again."

And this one straight to the point;

"Do not judge a person until the lid of his coffin is closed.

With many of the proverbs,a brief explanation of its meaning is given where the author thinks it is necessary.
Although it doesn't take long to skip through this little book;It's enjoyment can be extended by trying to come up with a Western Proverb that conveys the same thouhht in different words.