Life values

Please list more similar idioms, allusions, allegorical sayings, and famous quotes from different ethnic cultures!

The following are typically used in ancient and modern Chinese contexts to describe two distinct approaches to life.

Proactive and Positive

• 君子必慎其所居，择邻而居. (Jūnzǐ bì shèn qí suǒ jū, zé lín ér jū.)

  Explanation: The environment can influence a person's temperament and health, so a person of noble character must carefully choose where to live, selecting a good neighbor and environment.

• 近朱者赤，近墨者黑. (Jìn zhū zhě chì, jìn mò zhě hēi.)

  Explanation: It means that those who stay near vermilion will be stained red, and those who stay near ink will be stained black, illustrating that one's living environment (good or bad) greatly influences a person.

• 不改進，毋寧死！(Bù gǎijìn, wúnìng sǐ!)

  Explanation: This expresses a strong determination to pursue progress and continuous improvement, stating that if one cannot improve and progress, then one would rather die. This attitude reflects a firm belief in self-improvement and the pursuit of excellence.

• 没有改进的人生不值得过！(Méiyǒu gǎijìn de rénshēng bù zhídé guò!)

  Explanation: If we do not pursue improvement and growth, life will lack meaning and passion. Such an attitude can inspire us to constantly challenge ourselves in all aspects and pursue excellence.

• 窮則獨善其身，富則達濟天下！(Qióng zé dú shàn qí shēn, fù zé dá jì tiānxià!)

  Explanation: When we are in poverty, we should cultivate ourselves and strive for self-improvement; when we have the ability and resources, we should help others and benefit society. This philosophy emphasizes the different responsibilities of people in different circumstances. Maintain self-cultivation in adversity and actively give back to society in times of abundance.

• 先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐！(Xiān tiānxià zhī yōu ér yōu, hòu tiānxià zhī lè ér lè!)

  Explanation: This reflects a high sense of social responsibility and a selfless spirit, emphasizing that we must always treat society's and others' problems as our own, and as long as there is injustice in society, we should tirelessly struggle until death.

• 修身、齐家、治国、平天下 (Xiūshēn, qíjiā, zhìguó, píng tiānxià)

  These four stages of life emphasize an ideal of self-cultivation and the gradual expansion of social responsibility, as well as the impact of personal cultivation on the family, the nation, and the world.

  • 修身 (Xiūshēn): First, one must cultivate one's character and qualities to achieve mental and physical integrity.

  • 齐家 (Qíjiā): Secondly, one must manage one's family well to make it harmonious and happy.

  • 治国 (Zhìguó): Building on a harmonious family, one must have the ability to govern the country, making it stable and prosperous.

  • 平天下 (Píng tiānxià): The ultimate goal is to achieve universal harmony and world peace.

Passive and Negative

• 躺平、得過且過、隨遇而安 (Tǎngpíng, dé guò qiě guò, suíyù ér ān)

  Explanation: These describe a lack of ambition, planning, and goals; not pursuing higher goals, just getting by, not making extra effort, lacking motivation and ambition, focusing only on immediate survival without considering long-term planning and development.

• 苟且偷生 (Gǒuqiě tōushēng)

  Explanation: This describes someone who clings to life without regard for dignity or justice, demonstrating a passive and cowardly attitude toward life. This idiom has negative connotations, referring to a life attitude of not seeking progress, accepting things as they are, and merely living without regard for principles when facing difficulties.

• 好死不如賴活著 (Hǎo sǐ bùrú lài huózhe)

  Explanation: This saying means it is better to live on in hardship than to die easily, reflecting people's cherishing of life and a strong desire to survive, even if life is full of difficulties, one should try to persevere. It also implies a sense of helplessness in compromising with difficulties.

• 做一天和尚，撞一天鐘！(Zuò yī tiān héshang, zhuàng yī tiān zhōng!)

  Explanation: This saying describes a go-with-the-flow, passive, and lazy attitude toward life, just getting through the day, not being responsible for one's duties, not pursuing progress or change, focusing only on immediate benefits without considering long-term goals and responsibilities.

• 少壯不努力，老來徒傷悲 (Shàozhuàng bù nǔlì, lǎolái tú shāngbēi)

  Explanation: This ancient Chinese proverb means that if you do not work hard in your youth, you will feel regret and sorrow in your old age, emphasizing the importance of seizing the time to work hard and study in your youth to avoid future regret.

This life can be without regrets!

Unfortunately,

We cannot change the external social environment,

But we can change our own small living environment.

If we cannot even manage what is inside our own walls,

Then we can at least manage ourselves.

We will not become the kind of person we once disliked!

When we are old, we will not hate ourselves,

We will end our life with a clear conscience.