諺語 · a single proverb
父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方
Simplified: 父母在，不远游，游必有方
What does 父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方 (fù mǔ zài, bù yuǎn yóu, yóu bì yǒu fāng) mean?
父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方 (fù mǔ zài, bù yuǎn yóu, yóu bì yǒu fāng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "While parents are alive, do not travel far; if you must travel, have a definite destination." In use it means: Filial duty requires staying close to aging parents. If circumstances demand travel, one should always let parents know where they are going. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Earth note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.
Literally: "While parents are alive, do not travel far; if you must travel, have a definite destination.."
The reading
The pull between ambition and duty is older than any empire. A child who forgets the ones waiting at home has lost their center. Knowing where you are going is both practical planning and an act of love toward those who worry. The compass of filial piety does not forbid movement but insists on connection.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Kǒngzǐ (孔子), Lúnyǔ (論語) 4.19
Sits beside
外甥打燈籠——照舅（照舊）
wài shēng dǎ dēng long——zhào jiù (zhào jiù)
A pun on 照舅 (illuminating the uncle) and 照舊 (as before).
家有黃金，不如有個好鄰居
jiā yǒu huáng jīn bù rú yǒu gè hǎo lín jū
A good neighbor is worth more than household gold.
龍生龍，鳳生鳳，老鼠生的兒子會打洞
lóng shēng lóng, fèng shēng fèng, lǎo shǔ shēng de ér zi huì dǎ dòng
Children tend to inherit or follow the traits and social standing of their parents.
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 Home, Family & Roots, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方 (fù mǔ zài, bù yuǎn yóu, yóu bì yǒu fāng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Kǒngzǐ (孔子), Lúnyǔ (論語) 4.19. 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 父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方?
In Mandarin it is fù mǔ zài, bù yuǎn yóu, yóu bì yǒu fāng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 父母在，不遠遊，遊必有方 aloud in Mandarin.