諺語 · a single proverb
明槍易躲，暗箭難防
Simplified: 明枪易躲，暗箭难防
What does 明槍易躲，暗箭難防 (míng qiāng yì duǒ àn jiàn nán fáng) mean?
明槍易躲，暗箭難防 (míng qiāng yì duǒ àn jiàn nán fáng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "an open spear is easy to dodge; a hidden arrow is hard to guard against." In use it means: Direct attacks can be defended against, but covert sabotage is dangerous; beware of hidden threats. 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 Rooster.
Literally: "an open spear is easy to dodge; a hidden arrow is hard to guard against."
The reading
The enemy who declares war is easier to fight than the ally who whispers poison. You can see the spear coming. You can brace, dodge, block. The arrow from behind makes no sound until it arrives. This is not a reason to suspect everyone. It is a reason to build the kind of relationships where no one needs to shoot from hiding.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Common folk and military proverb; widely used in Ming-Qing literature
Sits beside
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 Adversity & Resilience, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rooster, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 明槍易躲，暗箭難防 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 明槍易躲，暗箭難防 (míng qiāng yì duǒ àn jiàn nán fáng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Common folk and military proverb; widely used in Ming-Qing literature. 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 明槍易躲，暗箭難防?
In Mandarin it is míng qiāng yì duǒ àn jiàn nán fáng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 明槍易躲，暗箭難防 aloud in Mandarin.