諺語 · a single proverb

膽dǎn欲yù大dà而ér心xīn欲yù小xiǎo,，智zhì欲yù圓yuán而ér行xíng欲yù方fāng

Simplified: 胆欲大而心欲小，智欲圆而行欲方

dǎn yù dà ér xīn yù xiǎo, zhì yù yuán ér xíng yù fāng

What does 膽欲大而心欲小，智欲圓而行欲方 (dǎn yù dà ér xīn yù xiǎo, zhì yù yuán ér xíng yù fāng) mean?

膽欲大而心欲小，智欲圓而行欲方 (dǎn yù dà ér xīn yù xiǎo, zhì yù yuán ér xíng yù fāng) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "Courage should be great while caution should be fine; wisdom should be round while conduct should be square." In use it means: The ideal physician combines boldness in clinical decisions with meticulous attention to detail, flexible thinking with upright moral conduct. These four qualities define the character required for genuine medical practice. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Tiger.

Literally: "Courage should be great while caution should be fine; wisdom should be round while conduct should be square."

The reading

Sun Simiao described the ideal physician's character with architectural precision. Boldness in clinical judgment means daring to use the right treatment even when it is unconventional. Fine-grained caution means checking the dosage a second time, watching for subtle reactions, never growing complacent. Circular wisdom means adapting to each patient's unique situation. Square conduct means never cutting ethical corners, no matter the pressure. These four qualities rarely coexist, which is why great physicians remain rare.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Sun Simiao, Qianjin Yaofang, 'Da Yi Jing Cheng' (On the Absolute Sincerity of Great Physicians), Tang dynasty

Sits beside

冰清玉潔

bīng qīng yù jié

Spotless and pure character.

張三李四

zhāng sān lǐ sì

Any random person.

忙中不忘善

máng zhōng bù wàng shàn

Even in the middle of busy activity, do not forget to act with kindness.

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Tiger, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 膽欲大而心欲小，智欲圓而行欲方 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 膽欲大而心欲小，智欲圓而行欲方 (dǎn yù dà ér xīn yù xiǎo, zhì yù yuán ér xíng yù fāng) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞), and it comes from Sun Simiao, Qianjin Yaofang, 'Da Yi Jing Cheng' (On the Absolute Sincerity of Great Physicians), Tang dynasty. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.

How do you pronounce 膽欲大而心欲小，智欲圓而行欲方?

In Mandarin it is dǎn yù dà ér xīn yù xiǎo, zhì yù yuán ér xíng yù fāng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 膽欲大而心欲小，智欲圓而行欲方 aloud in Mandarin.